There is one major obstacle that everyone will struggle with as they try to generate supplemental income. It is, the day job.

When you start a business on the side it’s easy to get into a routine and start to have certain expectations. You’ll think that you will always have your Saturdays and 3 nights a week to spend doing what you want. But what happens when your boss at work asks you to stay late or put in extra time on a project? It can make things very difficult.

I recently had that situation. Things at my day job are very busy and because my day job is still by far my primary source of income it is my top priority.

You need to have your mind made up before you get into this situation. I’ve seen so many people of the years get fired because they made the wrong choice. If you build a business in your spare time you need to remember that even though it may be more exciting and have more potential than your day job it is not your primary source of income.

Here’s a few things to watch out for when things get busy at work.

People are watching

Your coworkers are paying attention to what you do. Be proactive and dedicated to your day job while you are there. Forget about your part time business until you get home and have the time to work on it.

Doing the minimum

If you do just enough to keep your job you may not get fired, but when it comes time to lay someone off you will be first in line. Do your job and do it well. Keep the distractions at a distance.

Set goals at work

You need goals because they help you continue to advance yourself and your career. Your part time business goals are important, but until that part time business becomes a full time job you need to continue to advance your day time career.