Football Side Hustle: How to stay motivated

Yvan Delia-Lavictoire

This is a summarized transcript of a podcast episode I recorded. You can listen here.

For those who are passionate about football, the idea of turning that passion into a side hustle is both exciting and fulfilling. However, as you dive into the world of football-related entrepreneurial endeavors, you'll soon realize that maintaining motivation doesn't always come easily.

This article explores key strategies and insights to help you find motivation and help you stay consistent throughout your journey. As it's often the case with digital marketing, I also share a few ways to shift mindset when it comes to social media and digital metrics.

Motivation: A flicke friend

Motivation is often perceived as an infinite resource. In reality, it ebbs and flows. You won't wake up every day brimming with enthusiasm, but that's perfectly normal. What truly matters is consistency.

When people claim they lack motivation, they're, in essence, seeking consistency. The ability to keep pushing forward, even when the inspiration well runs dry. Success in your side hustle or football journey isn't about perpetual motivation; it's about maintaining consistency when the going gets tough.

The online world often deceives us with the illusion of overnight success stories. Yet, most of these apparent overnight sensations went through slow phases and started from ground zero. Your journey in football is unique, and this individuality is your strength. Embrace your story and stay focused on what truly matters.

The 3 pillars on consistency

Consistency is not about working on your side hustle every day or being 100% focused on it forever. It's about sticking to your plan. To do that, you need three core pillars: strategy, structure, and systems.

Strategy: This is your roadmap to attracting, engaging, building trust, and converting your target audience. Consider the entire journey your audience goes through with your brand. While social media is a common platform, remember there are other ways like email marketing, blog websites, referrals, or creating brochures.
Structure: Create an actionable plan for implementing your strategy. It's about scheduling, researching, honing your craft, and setting clear milestones and deadlines. Having a structured approach keeps you on track even when motivation wanes.
Systems: These are the tools and methods that support your structure. Use project management tools, document your processes, and break down tasks into manageable steps. Remember, your systems should be practical and work for you, not just aim for perfection.

By developing and maintaining these pillars, you build momentum and discipline. While motivation may come and go, your structured approach will help you stay on track and continue to make progress.

How to not get affected by social media metrics

Being online means you have access to vast amounts of data. However, you shouldn't let these numbers control your journey. Instead, focus on the ones that truly matter for your brand and objectives.

When dealing with social media metrics, go beyond the standard likes and comments. Look at broader sample sizes and compare data month over month or even year over year to assess your progress. This analytical mindset will help you separate the emotional attachment from the numbers.

Remember, metrics are essential for making informed decisions and adjustments, but they shouldn't overshadow your passion for football. Love what you do, embrace your unique journey, and use data as a tool to enhance your story.

Closing thoughts

Building a successful side hustle in football requires not just motivation but consistency. It's about keeping your eyes on the prize, even when the going gets tough.

You can achieve this by following a structured approach encompassing strategy, structure, and systems.

While data and numbers play a role, they should never overpower your passion for the game.

Stay focused, celebrate your small wins, and continue to grow your side hustle in the world of football.