Let’s face it – running a side hustle can feel like herding cats while juggling flaming torches.

I’ve been there.

But after years of trial and error (and more than a few face-palm moments), I’ve finally cracked the code on staying organized without losing my mind.

With Apple Reminders.

Now, before you think “Seriously? That basic app?”, hear me out.

Yes, that simple app.

The Building Blocks of Side Hustle Success

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of my system, let’s talk about what actually makes my side hustle tick.

In my experience, it boils down to five key things:

1. Catching those “aha!” moments before they vanish
2. Actually planning stuff (instead of just winging it)
3. Figuring out what matters and what’s just noise
4. Breaking down big, scary projects into bite-sized tasks
5. Mapping out your time so you’re not constantly putting out fires

Sounds simple, right? Well, kinda.

The tricky part is finding a way to juggle all of this without feeling like you need an extra brain (or an expensive app).

That’s where my Apple Reminders setup comes in.

Why I Ditched the Fancy Apps

Look, I get it.

There are about a million productivity apps out there, each promising to revolutionize your life. And don’t get me wrong — I’ve tried my fair share.

I still use Notion for my writing routine and archive.

But for reminders and tasks, Notion is just too complex and sluggish.

The best system is the one you’ll actually use.

For me, that meant something simple, always accessible, and baked right into my iPhone.

Apple Reminders.

My Four-Step System for Side Hustle Sanity

Alright, let’s break down how I’ve turned Apple Reminders into my personal assistant.

It’s all about four key steps:

1. Inbox: Where ideas go to party
2. Lists: Bringing order to the chaos
3. TO-DO: Separating the wheat from the chaff
4. Flagged: Your weekly game plan

Step 1: The Inbox – Your Idea Dumping Ground

You know those random business ideas that pop into your head at 2 AM? Or that brilliant marketing strategy that hits you in the shower?

This is where they live.

I’ve got a dedicated “Inbox” list in Apple Reminders. Anytime inspiration strikes, I dump it here. No judgment, no organizing, just raw, unfiltered ideas. It’s like a digital notepad, but one you can’t lose under a pile of laundry.

The goal? Get it out of your head and into a safe space. Trust me, your brain will thank you for the extra bandwidth.

Works with Apple Watch or Siri as well. Even in the car with Apple CarPlay.

Step 2: Lists – Because Chaos is Bad for Business

Every Tuesday (usually with a strong cup of coffee in hand), I tackle my digital Inbox.

It’s like sorting through the junk drawer, but way more productive.

I do it on Tuesdays because that’s when my newsletters issues come out.

I’ve set up different lists for various aspects of my side hustle:

• “Content Creation” (for all those half-baked blog post ideas)
• “Product Ideas” (where my million-dollar inventions live)
• “Network & Hustle” (people to reach out to, events)
• “Money Matters” (because someone’s gotta keep the lights on)

As I go through the Inbox, I sort each item into its proper home. It’s oddly satisfying, like playing Tetris with your business ideas.

Step 3: TO-DO – Where Ideas Become Action

Every week, I put on my CEO hat and take a look at all those sorted lists.

It’s time to separate the “heck yes!” from the “meh, maybe later.”

I’ve set up a smart list in Apple Reminders tied to a #TO-DO tag. When I’m ready to move something from “cool idea” to “let’s actually do this,” I slap that tag on it. Boom — it shows up in my master TO-DO list.

This is where the rubber meets the road. You’re not just dreaming anymore; you’re deciding what actually deserves your time and energy. Choose wisely, my friend.

And Reminders will get even better with iOS 18 in the fall 2024 when calendar will integrate directly and deeply with reminders to show date-specific stuff.

Good times ahead!

Step 4: Flagged – Your Weekly Battle Plan

Tuesday mornings (after coffee, always after coffee), I sit down with my TO-DO list and get real about what I can actually accomplish this week.

This is where the flag feature in Apple Reminders becomes my best friend.

I go through and flag the tasks that absolutely need to happen. It’s like creating a VIP list for your to-dos. These flagged items become my focus for the week.

The beauty of this system? It’s flexible.

Knock out your flagged tasks early? Awesome! Grab a few more from the TO-DO list. Week goes sideways? No sweat – just adjust your flags and keep moving forward.

The Secret Sauce: Keeping It Real

Now, all of this sounds great in theory, but how do you actually make it stick?

Here are my ride-or-die rules for making this system work:

1. Empty that Inbox: Treat your digital Inbox like your email (or not, if you’re that person with 24,345 unread emails) — aim for zero. It’s oddly motivating.
2. Review, Rinse, Repeat: Block out time each week to go through your lists. It’s like giving your side hustle a check-up.
3. Prioritize Like a Boss: Not everything can be urgent. Be ruthless about what really matters.
4. Embrace the Delete Button: Some ideas sounded great at 2 AM but make zero sense in the light of day. It’s okay to let them go.
5. Keep It Simple, Stupid: If your system feels like work, you won’t use it. Find what clicks for you and stick with it.

At the end of the day, Apple Reminders (or any app, really) is just a tool.

The magic happens when you find a system that works with your brain, not against it.

For me, this setup has been a good, but more importantly practical. It’s helped me turn my side hustle from a stress-inducing mess into a well-oiled machine (well, most days).

So whether you’re team Apple, ride-or-die for Todoist, or still rocking the pen-and-paper life, the principles are the same.

Capture those ideas, sort ’em out, decide what matters, and make it happen.

Check ✅