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Are you itching to explore new skills outside of your 9-5? Or, are you already juggling multiple gigs and need some expert advice on balancing it all? Punchlist recently hosted an insightful webinar featuring Morgan Lopes, a moonlighting expert, and Bin Cochran, VP at Punchlist. In this session, they share invaluable tips on how to effectively manage moonlighting so you can earn a little extra income and feel more fulfilled in your everyday life.
If you want to watch the full webinar, get access here. If not, here are some of the top highlights from their conversation.
Morgan kicked off the session by clarifying the difference between moonlighting and freelancing. While both involve taking on extra work, moonlighting specifically refers to working on projects outside of your regular job hours. Morgan emphasized that moonlighting is not just about earning extra income but also about exploring new skills and keeping your creative juices flowing. He shared his personal experience of balancing a fulfilling day job with side projects that keep him sharp and inspired.
One of the standout points from the webinar was Morgan's perspective on meeting your professional needs through multiple outlets. He explained, “I have never found a single job or style of work that fulfills all my curiosities, all my interests, all my needs.” Instead of expecting one job to satisfy all your professional aspirations, Morgan advocates for embracing a variety of projects to stay engaged and motivated. This approach not only helps in skill diversification but also reduces the risk of burnout.
Morgan introduced his innovative “Donut Method” for managing moonlighting. Just like a donut needs both the cake and the icing, your professional life should have a solid foundation (your day job) with exciting projects layered on top (your moonlighting activities). He stressed the importance of keeping these two areas integrated yet distinct. This method ensures that you benefit from both without one overshadowing the other.
Managing time effectively is crucial for successful moonlighting. Morgan shared practical tips on how to allocate time for side projects without compromising your day job. He emphasized the importance of setting boundaries, such as having separate calendars, contacts, and even bank accounts for your moonlighting activities. This separation helps maintain clarity and reduces the risk of conflicts.
Morgan highlighted some of his favorite tools that make moonlighting easier and more efficient. He recommended using Mercury for banking, as it simplifies financial management for side projects. For managing client feedback seamlessly, he praised Punchlist for its ability to streamline the feedback process, allowing for clear and actionable insights. These tools not only enhance productivity but also help in maintaining a professional approach to moonlighting.
A key takeaway from Morgan's talk was the importance of continuous learning and experimentation. He shared anecdotes from his own journey, illustrating how dabbling in various projects has kept him at the forefront of technology and creativity. Whether it's using AI to create daily artwork or integrating new tools into his workflow, Morgan’s message was clear: never stop learning and exploring.
Finally, Morgan stressed the significance of treating your moonlighting projects with the same professionalism as your day job. This includes setting up a proper business structure, using professional tools, and delivering high-quality work. By doing so, you build credibility and establish yourself as a reliable and skilled professional in both arenas.
For those interested in getting an in-depth look into Morgan’s moonlighting tips, we encourage you to watch the full webinar! Get access to the full webinar here.
Punchlist is a feedback management tool that simplifies the process of collecting and organizing feedback, making it easier for your reviewers to leave comments and approve work. Learn more about how Punchlist can support your moonlighting projects and start your 30-day free trial here.
