How to know if your side project is worth it (I tested this) [WRAP 177]

Hey Reader, last week I did something that might sound crazy: I took a few hours to test a completely different content direction, and I did it without working extra hours or sacrificing any time for clients or community content.

The results surprised me, and I learned exactly what it takes to evaluate a side project without derailing your main business. Even if you're not running your own business, this is a a helpful way to evaluate if a "side project" in your main job is worth pursuing, and for how much time. I even have an example from how a company as big as Google measures these things.

Before I tell you, a quick reminder that the Mighty Networks Creator Summit is next week, June 24-26th, Tuesday-Thursday.

It's a great event with incredible speakers, including Amanda Goetz, Justin Moore, Layla Romper, and Jeff Walker, one of the first people I learned how to sell products from. You'll also hear from Gina Bianchini and my friend Darrell Vesterfelt.

​Click here to get your free ticket, or read more below.

💡 One Big Idea: When is a Side Project Worth Pursuing?

How do you know what's a distraction and what's your next big thing?

That's the question I brought up to Jay Clouse, Justin Moore, Anne-Laure, and Shawn Blanc at Craft + Commerce. We all have those little ideas that pop up in our heads—content topics and potential businesses that live just outside our main focus. Or in my case, quite a bit outside.

If you’ve been subscribed for a couple years, you know I've had a lot of thoughts brewing about what it means to be a great dad and husband while building a business and legacy (and not getting fat). I've held back on these topics because I'm focused on growing HeyCreator and my YouTube channel.

But sometimes you need to run a small experiment to see what could happen. So I took two hours in Kit's studios and recorded eight videos about fatherhood. The result? I was surprised by how much I had to say and how naturally it flowed!

Here's what I learned about testing new ideas while protecting your main business:

• Set clear boundaries: I gave myself exactly two hours to record
• Keep it contained: Eight videos is enough to test, not enough to derail
• Get real feedback: Early viewer response tells you more than speculation
• Protect your core: My main business still gets the majority of my energy

I don't know where this will lead long-term, but I'm excited to see how this experiment unfolds while keeping HeyCreator and the Analog Action YouTube channel as my primary focus.

One good way to keep everything in line is using Google's 70-20-10 method for managing innovation and time:

• 70% of your time on your core business
• 20% on promising related projects
• 10% on experimental new directions

This framework has helped me evaluate new opportunities. The dad content I've been thinking about for years? That's a perfect 10% project - something worth exploring without derailing my main business.

🎉 Sponsor: The Creator Summit (June 24-26)

You've followed the advice—post more, go live, stay consistent. But somehow, you're still overwhelmed, underpaid, and one step away from disappearing from the internet completely.

​The Creator Summit (June 24-26) is your chance to do things differently. It's free, it's live, and it's built to help you reset.

You'll hear from:

• Jeff Walker, Founder of Product Launch Formula
• Amanda Goetz, Founder of Life's a Game
• Justin Moore, Founder of Creator Wizard
• Gina Bianchini, CEO of Mighty Networks
• And many more!

Whether you're building your first offer or your fifth revenue stream, you'll walk away with a roadmap for building a business you won't want to burn down.

​Get your free ticket now →​

📖 Book to Read: Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business

I got my hands on an early copy of Ed Latimore's new book, "Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business." Ed, the founder of Stoic Street Smarts and former heavyweight boxer, brings his unique perspective on resilience and decision-making. Get the first two chapters free and read his essays here.

👀 Video to Watch: The 4-Notebook System

If you love analog planning like I do, you need to watch Lauren Valdez's video about her 4-notebook system. Lauren (who happens to be married to productivity guru Tiago Forte) takes a low-tech approach to planning and projects, which I am a big fan of!

It's a great reminder that sometimes the simplest systems are the most effective, and I love seeing other people practice analog.

​Watch Lauren's planning system here​

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Have a great weekend,

Matt Ragland

p.s. if you have a (literal) minute to share feedback, click here.

p.p.s. if you like the thumbnails in the Dad video images, reply and let me know. I'll send you one!