Craig Aucutt, Designer

Side projects can be some of the most rewarding work we do outside of our jobs. They’re places for experimentation, creative freedom, and even career growth. But for me, especially since COVID, side projects have also been a double-edged sword.

I’ve spent years bouncing between app ideas, bits of client work, paintings, and all sorts of digital explorations. At first, that felt exciting. Each project carried the spark of a new possibility. But over time, I realized that I was spreading myself too thin. I wasn’t really building momentum in any one direction. Instead of feeling energized, I often ended up drained, wondering where all the hours had gone.

That’s the tricky part about side projects: they can either sharpen your focus or completely scatter it.

The ADHD Factor

I live with ADHD, which means my attention and motivation often flow in bursts. The novelty of a new idea is intoxicating. It feels fresh, alive, full of potential. But the flip side is that once the novelty fades, I’m tempted to jump ship and chase the next spark.

That pattern has led me to some incredible discoveries, but it also means I’ve left behind half-built projects, scattered codebases, and half-finished canvases. Over time, I’ve learned that while exploration is valuable, it’s also easy to confuse motion with progress.

Balance With Primary Work

A side project shouldn’t compete with your main work, it should complement it. When chosen well, it feeds you energy instead of draining it. It can give you a sandbox to test skills that later enhance your primary career.

For example, when I’ve focused on design-related projects that align with my professional skills, I notice two things:

My side work makes me sharper in my main role. It expands my skill sets and fulfills itches, making me more focused and better at my primary job.
The overlap makes the time investment feel less like a drain and more like compound growth.

When my projects veer too far off course, into hobbies that don’t connect with my bigger goals, they can still be fun, but they don’t leave the same lasting impact.

The Cost of Jumping Around

Jumping from project to project feels productive in the moment. You’re constantly “doing” something, so it feels like progress. But looking back, I’ve realized how much time gets lost in the context switching. Restarting momentum over and over is exhausting.

I’ve also noticed that spreading myself thin prevents me from reaching the stage where a project becomes truly rewarding. The early stages are fun and fast, but the deeper stages, the ones that require persistence, are where the real learning and growth happen. By jumping around too often, I’ve been cutting myself off from that growth.

How to Find the Right One

So, how do you choose a side project worth sticking with? A few guiding questions help me now:

Does it align with my long-term goals? The best projects overlap with the skills or values that matter to you.
Would I still want to do this if nobody saw it? If the answer is no, I’m probably chasing validation instead of fulfillment.
Can I realistically commit consistent time to it? A project doesn’t have to be huge. In fact, small but steady progress is what compounds.
Does it energize me or drain me? Some projects might look good on paper but sap your energy. The right one gives something back.

Committing to One

The hardest part is resisting the urge to chase every new idea that pops up. For me, that means keeping a “future ideas list,” a place to park shiny new concepts so I don’t feel like I’m losing them. Then, I can return to them later, instead of derailing my current project.

It also means treating my side project almost like a relationship: showing up for it consistently, even when the spark of novelty fades. That’s when real progress begins.

Final Thoughts

Side projects are powerful. They can sharpen your skills, provide an outlet for creativity, and even shape the trajectory of your career. But only if you give them the time and focus they deserve.

For years, I thought the thrill of chasing many ideas was the point. Now, I’m learning that the deeper reward comes from choosing one, investing in it, and seeing it through.

If you’ve been jumping from project to project like me, maybe it’s time to ask: What’s the one side project worth sticking with?