Feeling stuck building your idea alongside your 9-5? Start here!

by Patrycja Janik
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I work with a lot of women who are in the early stages of building something new, while still working in their current job.

It’s one of the most common (and often safest) ways to explore a career shift or start a business.

You test an idea, build a product or service on the side, and gradually move toward a career that feels more aligned with your values, strengths, and mission.

It’s exciting, empowering, and full of possibility.

But as with any transition, it also comes with challenges and not just logistical ones like time and project planning. The emotional and mental load can be just as heavy.

Take one of my clients, for example. She came to me with a clear product idea, and together we shaped a plan she felt genuinely excited about. It seemed realistic, achievable, and designed around her goals.
But a few steps in, something started to feel off.

Even though the plan made sense on paper, it clashed with the realities of her life. She was juggling a full-time job, home responsibilities, and trying to carve out space for her project. The pace, though intentional, ended up being too much.

To make matters harder, she started looking outward for validation - scrolling websites, researching what others were doing, comparing her early-stage idea to someone else’s polished tenth version.

She was jumping ahead in her mind while also falling behind in practice, which left her feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and questioning everything.

• “Is my idea actually good enough?”
• “How will I build a website?”
• “What’s the best use of my time and energy right now?”

These thoughts are so common. And they’re completely human.

The good news is that with honesty, reflection, and working together, we were able to revisit the plan, make some thoughtful changes, and help her move forward in a way that felt more sustainable and energising.

If you’re navigating something similar, I’ve shared a few reflections below. These aren’t exhaustive, but they are insights that come up often in my work and might help make the start of your journey feel more manageable.

• Start with what’s realistic, not just ideal.

A beautiful plan that doesn’t fit your actual routine and energy is a recipe for burnout and disappointment. Start from where you are, not where you wish you were. Be honest about your availability, commitments, and bandwidth. Sustainable progress beats an unsustainable sprint, every time.

• Your first step doesn’t need to be a website.

You might not need one at all to begin with. Social media, a Notion page, a Google Doc, or real-life conversations can be incredibly powerful ways to start validating and sharing your idea. Don’t let tech be the barrier between you and momentum.

• Protect your time and energy - they’re your most valuable assets.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by something technical (like setting up automations, figuring out design platforms, or DIY-ing a website), pause and ask: Is this the best use of my time right now? Sometimes the smartest move is to outsource, simplify, or find a more user-friendly tool so your energy can go where it matters most - strategy, creativity, or connecting with your audience.

• Small steps are still real progress.

One hour a week. A rough outline. A voice note to yourself with a new idea. It all counts. The urge to “do it all” and do it perfectly can easily trigger perfectionism and stall your momentum. Progress is rarely neat. But consistent, imperfect action is how things get built.

• You’re allowed to change the plan.

If a strategy isn’t working, even one you were initially excited about, that’s not failure, it’s feedback. Being able to say, “This plan isn’t actually serving me,” and choosing to adjust is a powerful skill. It’s how you build something sustainable and aligned.

Building a project or business on the side isn’t always easy but it’s absolutely possible. I see women do it successfully all the time.

The key isn’t doing everything at once or having it all figured out. It’s about staying intentional, focusing on what matters, and giving yourself the support (and self-compassion) to make it work your way.

If you’re working on something alongside your 9–5 and want to make it feel more doable, and less like a solo uphill climb, I’d love to help.

Drop me a message or book a free consultation via this link - https://calendar.app.google/CjmA9u28W2q7jWns8

Let’s make your idea feel a little more real.