Side Project
Definition
A side project is a self-directed project pursued outside a person’s main job or formal obligations. It can be used to learn new skills, build a product, explore an idea, or test a possible business direction.
Core Ideas
Typical Goals
The source notes describe side projects as useful for:
- learning something new
- building something tangible
- exploring product, design, or marketing skills
- refreshing motivation outside day-job constraints
Practical Patterns
Good side projects are often:
- something the creator would actually use
- scoped into small deliverable chunks
- aligned to one main learning or outcome goal
- sustained through consistency rather than intensity
Why They Matter
Side projects can function as:
- learning vehicles
- portfolio builders
- experimentation sandboxes
- seeds for startup ideas or small SaaS products
Relationships
- Side Projects and Startups — broader ecosystem of solo and early-stage building
- Product-Market Fit — some side projects evolve into products seeking market fit
- Career Development — side projects often support skill growth and professional leverage
References
- The Ultimate Guide for Working with Side Projects
- Creating a side project
- _Start up and entrepreneur guide