For Everyone Considering a Side Hustle: Why Now Is the Time to Think Critically and Understand Yourself

“Where Should I Start with a Side Hustle?”—A Common First Question

“How do I start a side hustle?”

You’ll see these kinds of questions on social media all the time—often asked politely and humbly.

The assumption is:
“If I ask nicely enough, someone will kindly give me the answer.”

But at their core, these questions often reveal something else:

“Thinking for myself is hard. Can someone just tell me what to do?”

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“I’m Motivated and Don’t Expect Much” — The Hidden Pitfall

“I’m motivated! I don’t need to make a lot—just 50,000 to 100,000 yen per month.”

People who say this usually want to distance themselves from the “get-rich-quick” crowd.
But that’s not the real issue.

Right now, the number of people who want to earn money from home is overwhelmingly high.

This oversaturated mindset is exactly what exploitative marketers and confidence-based scammers prey upon.

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The Ideal Target for Scammers

Scammers love people who believe they’re “serious and different from the rest.”

• They equate “buying info” with making an effort
• They convince themselves that paying a high price = being brave and committed
• Even when they realize they were scammed, they can’t admit it right away

From the scammer’s perspective, they’re the perfect customers.
This is what we mean when we say “a duck carrying a leek” (an easy mark in Japanese idiom).

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It’s Not Wrong to Ask Questions—But Timing Matters

Some might try to deflect:
“So… it’s wrong to ask for help?”

Not at all.
But you should only ask after doing your own research—ideally 100 searches worth.

Scammers can easily spot someone who just wants a shortcut.
But if you’ve already done your homework, they’ll know you’re not an easy target.

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The Misconception Behind “I’ll Do Anything!”

“I’ll do anything. I’m motivated!”

Many truly believe that saying this will bring opportunities their way.

But in reality, it’s exactly these “I’ll do anything” types who are most saturated in the market.

This is no longer a blue ocean—it’s a bloody red ocean packed with similar voices.

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Even Jobs Paying Less Than ¥1,000 per Hour Are Overcrowded

So, do entry-level side hustles even exist?
Yes. For example, data entry.

But because anyone can do it, competition is fierce and the pay is low.
In many cases, the hourly rate falls below ¥1,000.

And even for those jobs, there are too many applicants.

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Is Remote Work the Answer? — A Misleading Fantasy

“I just don’t want to work outside. Remote work sounds perfect.”

That’s understandable—maybe you’re burned out from office politics or toxic workplaces.

But think again:

• You still need to manage client relationships from home
• A single mistake might mean no more work opportunities
• If the job is boring, it may feel even more painful than an office job
• The line between personal and work life becomes blurred, and you might feel constantly overwhelmed

In short, remote work doesn’t automatically solve your problems.

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What You Truly Need Is Self-Understanding

In the end, the only way to find the right way of working for you is through deep self-analysis.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of work actually suits me?
• What would cause me the least stress while earning money?

To answer those, you need to fully understand yourself—from 1 to 100.

But most people avoid this.
Instead, they rely on shallow quizzes or entertainment-style personality tests and feel falsely reassured.

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True Self-Analysis Takes Time—and Courage

The kind of self-analysis I’m talking about isn’t quick or easy.

• You’ll have to confront parts of yourself you’ve avoided
• You’ll need to face past regrets and failures
• It takes time—and it stirs up deep emotions

And yet, if you can truly understand yourself…
Even if it takes a long time, the return will be worth it. I firmly believe that.

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Final Thoughts: What Do You Think?

“If I could fully understand myself, many of life’s problems would be easier to manage.”

Not many people could confidently disagree with that.

And it’s not too late—not even now.
Start your journey of self-understanding today.