The Interest-Excitement Filter: A Quick Test to Avoid Boring Side Hustles

Hey there, fellow side hustler!

Let’s be real—you don’t want just any side hustle.
You want one that fits, lights you up a little, and actually feels good to work on.

But when you're starting out, it’s easy to get stuck chasing what’s trendy or what someone else said was profitable. Then suddenly, you’re halfway into something that pays… but feels like homework.

The fix? A simple filter to help you tune out the noise and follow your own energy.

✨ The Interest-Excitement Filter

Before committing to an idea, run it through this quick test:

✅ Interest Check:

Ask yourself:
“Do I already read about this, talk about it, or enjoy thinking about it—just for fun?”
If you’re already curious, that’s a good sign you’ll want to keep going when things get slow.

✅ Excitement Check:

Ask:
“Does this idea give me a small spark? Do I feel a bit more alive when I think about doing it?”
This doesn’t mean wild passion—just a flicker of “Ooh, that could be fun…”

🚩 If It Feels Like a Chore…

It probably is.

There are so many ways to make money on the side. You don’t have to start with the idea that feels like a grind—especially when your energy and confidence are still building.

That doesn’t mean you never do hard things. It just means your first hustle should give you energy, not drain it.

💡 Try It with a Few Examples

Let’s say you're considering:

• Selling digital planners

• Teaching guitar lessons

• Starting a pet-sitting service

• Learning how to flip furniture

Pause and ask:

Chances are, one or two will rise to the top. That’s your clue.

💬 Permission to Let Go

You don’t have to force yourself into a hustle that makes you yawn.

Even if it “makes money.”
Even if someone you know is killing it with it.
Even if you could do it well.

Start with something you want to do. Everything else is easier from there.

✅ Your Tiny Action Step

Take your top 3 hustle ideas. Run them through the Interest-Excitement Filter.

Then cross off the one that feels like the least fun.

The path you stick with is the one you care about enough to return to—even when no one’s watching.

The future is yours to choose. See what’s possible!

Side Hustle Quest
Your guide to low-cost, high-impact side hustle strategies