Overwhelmed? How to Start Your Side Hustle with Confidence

How to start a Side hustle:

Starting something new—whether it’s a faceless YouTube channel, an online business, or a side hustle—is exciting… until it isn’t.

That initial rush quickly fades when you’re staring at a million tabs, half-finished tutorials, and a brain full of “what ifs.”

Overwhelm is the dream-killer that strikes before you even begin.

But here’s the truth: most people stay stuck because they try to solve overwhelm with more thinking. 

That’s not the answer.

In this post, I’ll break down 7 practical ways to beat the overwhelm and actually get started—even if your plate is already full.

Plus, I’ll show you 3 things you should never do when you feel paralyzed by options or fear.

By the end, you’ll have a clear path, less noise, and more confidence to move forward.

How I overcame Anxiety in overwhelm.

When I started my faceless YouTube channel, I spent two weeks just obsessing over the highest rpm niches, the most unique editing style and ways to monetize my channel quick so i could instantly start earning money 

without uploading a single video. 

It felt productive… but I was hiding from the real work, because i wanted it to be “Perfect” from the start…

In the end there is only one way to really battle overwhelm and anxiety and that is by just starting to do the thing that is necessary to see results, 

Whatever that might be for your market. 

When it comes to youtube automation: 

• Watching random AI personality videos does not get you views

• Watching top 5 niche videos does not get you views

• Overanalyzing SEO and traffic does not get you views

• Changing your logo and banner does not get you views

• Getting pre-monetized channels or the latest hacks do not get you views

The ONLY thing you must do to get over the overwhelm of starting, 

Is doing what will make you money,

Which is getting views 

And you get views by posting videos

And you post videos when you decide on a niche. 

So focus on generating ideas with a proven system and then actually executing these ideas. 

You will only find out of something works if you do it. 

Not by thinking about doing it. 

It took my (and most of my clients) over 50 videos and multiple tested channels before seeing real results, 

So don’t think you will be a one hit wonder, and just start learning the game you are playing without losing the discipline to keep going.

7 Ways to Overcome Overwhelm and Actually Start

1. Focus on the First 5%

Instead of thinking 10 steps ahead, just ask: What’s the first tiny action I can take today?
➡️ Example for YouTube: Choose a niche, not a full content calendar.

When you’re overwhelmed, it’s usually because you’re thinking too far ahead. 

Your brain is trying to solve steps 4 through 10 before you’ve even started step 1. 

Instead, bring your focus to just the first 5%. 

What’s the very first thing you can do to get moving? If you want to start a faceless YouTube channel, don’t build an entire content strategy. Just pick a niche. If you’re launching any kind of side hustle, your first step might be watching one short tutorial, writing one paragraph, or setting up one account. 

When you shrink the scope, the pressure fades and momentum builds. Most people never start because they try to conquer the whole mountain in their head. 

The truth is, you only need to take the first step—and then let the next one reveal itself. Simplicity is how you outsmart overwhelm.

2. Embrace “Bad First Drafts”

Perfection is the enemy of progress. Give yourself permission to suck—at first.
➡️ You don’t need a perfect voiceover, thumbnail, or script. You just need a draft.

Perfection is a trap disguised as productivity. So many people stay stuck at the starting line because they believe their first attempt has to be good. That’s a lie. 

Your first video, your first business idea, your first attempt at anything new—it’s supposed to be messy. 

Great work doesn’t start great; it becomes great through iteration. The mindset shift is this: done is better than perfect. When you allow yourself to create a “bad first draft,” you remove the pressure to impress and open the door to actual progress. 

In YouTube automation, your first script may feel awkward. Your first thumbnail might flop. That’s normal. The win isn’t in being flawless—it’s in finishing something. The faster you finish your first rough draft, the faster you’ll start learning, adjusting, and leveling up. 

Perfection slows down beginners. Progress rewards the ones who aren’t afraid to start rough.

3. Use the “One Hour Rule”

Don’t try to start a business in a weekend. Set a timer for 1 hour a day and build consistency.
➡️ This builds momentum without burnout.

One of the easiest ways to reduce overwhelm is to stop thinking in “projects” and start thinking in “power hours.” 

Big goals like starting a faceless YouTube channel or launching a side hustle can feel like they demand your entire life. That’s exhausting—and unrealistic. 

But almost anyone can give one focused hour a day. That’s where the One Hour Rule comes in. Set a timer for 60 minutes, eliminate distractions, and commit to just one task that moves you forward. 

Maybe it’s scripting a video, researching a niche, or uploading your first attempt. The key isn’t intensity—it’s consistency. 

That one hour adds up faster than you think, and it trains your brain to stop associating your goals with stress. Overwhelm comes from thinking you need to do everything right now. 

Peace comes from trusting that one focused hour a day is more than enough to build something powerful over time.

4. Create a “Minimum Viable Routine”

Build a simple, repeatable process.
➡️ For YouTube automation: Research → Script → Voiceover → Edit → Upload (no fluff, no overthinking).

You don’t need a perfect plan—you need a repeatable one. 

Overwhelm often comes from trying to do too much, too soon. A “minimum viable routine” is the simplest version of your process that still gets the job done. 

For a YouTube automation channel, that might be: pick a video topic → write a quick script → generate a voiceover → upload. That’s it. 

No fancy editing, no SEO deep dives, no overthinking thumbnails. Once this routine feels easy, then you can start optimizing. 

The goal is to create a system that lowers mental resistance so you don’t have to talk yourself into working every time. 

Your routine should be simple enough that you can stick with it on your worst days. Once it’s a habit, you can scale and improve. 

Start small. Stay consistent. Let your routine carry you through the chaos.

5. Mute the Noise

Stop binge-watching tutorials. 

Pick ONE course, mentor, or method and block out the rest.
➡️ Less input = more output.

One of the biggest causes of overwhelm is too much input. YouTube videos. Reddit threads. Free courses. Paid courses. Facebook groups. 

Everyone’s saying something different—and your brain short-circuits from all the “shoulds.” The truth is, most people fail not because they didn’t know what to do… but because they tried to follow everyone at once. 

Mute the noise. Choose one mentor, one course, or one strategy. 

Commit to it for 90 days before switching. 

Yes, other methods might work—but jumping between strategies is how you stay stuck. In YouTube automation especially, information overload kills execution. 

Success doesn’t come from knowing everything—it comes from doing one thing well, consistently. Trust that clarity comes from doing, not consuming. 

When you eliminate the extra voices, your own focus finally gets a chance to speak up.

6. Borrow Confidence from Others

Follow people who’ve been where you are. Join communities where people are taking action.
➡️ Progress is contagious.

You don’t have to do this alone. One of the most underrated ways to beat overwhelm is to see other people doing the thing you want to do. When you surround yourself with action-takers—whether that’s in a community, group chat, or mastermind—you absorb their momentum. 

Their progress makes your goal feel possible. Even better? 

You can ask questions, get unstuck faster, and avoid rookie mistakes. 

In the faceless YouTube world, it’s easy to feel isolated. 

But when you see beginners uploading videos, getting views, and building channels despite fear or imperfection, it hits differently. You stop telling yourself “it’s not the right time” and start thinking, “If they can do it, I can too.” 

Don’t just rely on motivation—borrow belief from people who’ve already taken the leap. Proximity is power.

You can join my Free 5-day faceless youtube Challenge if this is what you are looking for. 

7. Stack Wins, Not Tasks

Prioritize small wins that give momentum, not long to-do lists.
➡️ Uploading your first imperfect video >>> watching 10 hours of how-to videos.

When you’re overwhelmed, your to-do list can start to feel like a guilt list. But not all tasks are created equal—some build real momentum, others just burn time. 

The goal isn’t to stay busy; it’s to stack wins. 

A win is anything that moves you closer to the result you want. Uploading your first video—even if it’s rough—is a win. 

Finishing a script, recording your first voiceover, getting your first comment—these are all momentum-builders. 

Instead of asking, “What do I have to do today?” ask, “What’s one thing I can finish today that builds confidence?” 

Finishing small, meaningful tasks creates a feedback loop of progress. You’ll start associating your side hustle with accomplishment instead of anxiety. 

Don’t chase productivity for its own sake. Chase wins—the ones that move the needle and fuel your belief.

3 Things NOT To Do When You Feel Overwhelmed

Now that we know what to focus on, These are common traps that sabotage momentum. So try and avoid them!

1. Don’t Wait to “Feel Ready”

You’ll never feel 100% ready—and that’s normal. Action creates clarity, not the other way around.

If you’re waiting for the stars to align—perfect schedule, perfect mindset, perfect setup—you’ll be waiting forever. 

Readiness is not a feeling, it’s a decision. Most people assume successful creators or entrepreneurs started because they felt ready. 

Nope. They started scared, unprepared, and unsure—but they took action anyway. Confidence is a side effect of action, not a prerequisite. 

This is why you can’t afford to wait. The longer you wait, the more fear and doubt take root. If you’re launching a YouTube channel or any side hustle, start with what you have right now. 

You’ll learn more from one week of messy action than six months of overthinking. 

Progress isn’t about being fearless—it’s about moving despite the fear.

2. Don’t Overload Yourself with Options

Too many ideas = no execution. Pick one path and stick with it for 90 days.

Too many choices kill momentum. When you’re overwhelmed, the worst thing you can do is open five more tabs and explore three new strategies. 

Your brain can only focus on so much. The side hustle graveyard is filled with people who were “researching their options.” Instead, limit your options intentionally. 

Pick one niche, one monetization strategy, and one learning resource. Commit to it for a set time—say 90 days—before reevaluating. 

You can always pivot later, but right now, you need traction more than flexibility. Clarity doesn’t come from consuming more ideas. 

It comes from doing the one thing you already know you should be doing. Reduce options. Increase execution. That’s how you escape paralysis.

3. Don’t Compare Your Day 1 to Someone’s Year 3

Social media will trick you into thinking you’re behind. You’re not. You’re just getting started.

Comparison is the thief of momentum. You scroll YouTube and see channels with 100K subs, viral videos, perfect branding—and you start feeling behind before you’ve even started. 

But what you’re seeing is their highlight reel, not their messy beginning. Every creator, every entrepreneur, every success story started from zero. If you compare your first video to someone’s 300th, of course it’ll feel discouraging. 

But you’re not supposed to be at their level yet. Your job is to be a beginner—messy, inconsistent, and learning on the fly. 

That’s how they started too. The only person you should be comparing yourself to is yesterday’s you. 

Are you taking more action than you were last week? Are you learning, trying, experimenting? That’s growth. That’s enough.

The next steps to your YouTube automation empire

Overwhelm thrives in chaos. But clarity is built through action.

If you’re trying to launch a faceless YouTube channel—or any side hustle—remember:
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being consistent.

Want a simple roadmap to kickstart your YouTube automation journey without the overwhelm?

👉 Join the Free 5-Day Faceless YouTube Challenge

💬 FAQ: Overcoming Overwhelm When Starting a Side Hustle

1. What if I don’t have time to start a side hustle?

You don’t need hours a day—you need consistency. Even 30–60 focused minutes daily can change your life over time. Use the One Hour Rule and build momentum by stacking small wins. You’re not building a business overnight; you’re building a habit that grows into one.

2. What’s the best way to start if I have zero experience?

Start messy. Start small. Choose one platform (like YouTube), one model (faceless automation), and one topic you’re curious about. Follow one roadmap or mentor and ignore everything else for 30 days. Action will teach you faster than research ever could.

3. How do I know I’m choosing the “right” niche or idea?

You don’t. And that’s okay. The goal is to pick a good enough niche and test it. You’ll learn more by creating content than by brainstorming endlessly. You can always pivot later. Movement creates clarity.

4. What if I’m afraid people will judge me?

Good news: in faceless YouTube, no one even knows it’s you. But even beyond that—everyone starts somewhere. Most people are too busy thinking about their own lives to worry about yours. Don’t let imaginary critics stop your real progress.

5. How long does it take to see results with YouTube automation?

It varies, but consistency is the key. Most people quit before their breakthrough. Expect your first 30–90 days to be about learning and building, not going viral. Focus on improving each video and staying consistent. Results follow systems—not perfection.