Full Transcript
Dr James:
Fans of the Dennis who Invest podcast. If you feel like there was one particular episode in the back catalog in the anthology of Dennis who Invest podcast episodes that really, really, really was massively valuable to you, feel free to share that with a fellow dental colleague who’s in a similar position, so their understanding of finance can be elevated and they can hit the next level of financial success in their life. Also, as well as that, if you could take two seconds to rate and review this podcast, it would mean the world. To me, what that would mean is that it drives this podcast further in terms of reach so that more dentists across the world can be able to benefit from the knowledge contained therein. Welcome, welcome to the Dennis who Invest podcast. What is good everyone? Welcome back to Dennis who Invest podcast with your host, james Martin. Another episode on the theme of side gigs today, episode number two on the theme of side gigs, but episode number 41 overall. So, yeah, how crazy is that? How far we are down the line Nine months in. Would you believe I was checking today how old the podcast was. 41 episodes in. Here’s to the next 41 and the 41 after that. Looking forward to it. So, on the topic of side gigs. I know for a fact that there are lots of dentists out there who are passionate about health and fitness. Health and fitness from the point of view of your mind, your body, your soul, all of those things and the main, one of the main ways that we can maintain that is through physical activity. I know there’s lots of dentists out there who love to. Well, it’s just about dentists who are stressful, isn’t it? And it’s keeping on top of our mental health, and one of the best ways to manage that, and one of the most common ways that that is acknowledged to be handled or well managed, is through keeping active and being in the gym. There are Facebook groups out there on the topic of dentists who like to keep active and fit, and I know there’s a lot of dentists out there who would love to explore that side of their personality and their well-being even more, and whilst they do, there are not. There are even fewer still who have managed to turn it into a side gig or a business, and I’m sure there’s plenty out there who would like to know more about that, and hence why we are very privileged to have Cheetah Davda on today, who is a dentist. But is it fair to say, cheetah, that your me and hustle these days? Is your fit? Is the fitness side of what you do? How does that fit in? That’s something that we’re going to flesh out in just a moment, but first of all, I’d just like to say, cheetah, it’s an absolute pleasure to have you on the show. And how was your day? Have you had a good day so far?
Chita:
Yeah, it’s been good. So thanks, james, so much for having me. And days have been good. So I had a short morning of clinic and then I’ve got the afternoon to get on with my other bit of work, which is, as you said, is my fitness hustle. So it’s yeah, I’m going to be leaving off my online coaching clients. I’ll be checking in on them shortly. There’s been a good day nice and busy, just how I liked it, essentially as well.
Dr James:
So nice one Looking forwards to learn more about that fitness side hustle, what it is that inspires you to do it and how it’s going, and what you would say to anybody who’s thinking about taking that leap, not just into a fitness side hustle, but maybe just generally their side gig or whatever it is their passion is just a little bit about you. First of all, cheetah, so I understand that you’re a dentist. How long have you been qualified? Have you, do you enjoy being a dentist, or was the fitness thing always your main passion? How did that work? How did that fit in?
Chita:
Yeah, so it says qualified 10 years ago, showing my age clearly right now, and it was a weird one. So I got into dentistry. My older sister was a dentist. I’d always used to go and shadow her when I was younger but a 10 year age gap and she made it look really easy. She’d just be there like doing an endo, watching like diagnosis, murder at the same time. I thought the endo was pretty good, I can do this.
Dr James:
And oh wow, if only if that was. It was that easy, lolled into a false sense of security. For, for the record, I absolutely hate endo. It’s the one thing that I really struggle with. Let me make dentures all day. That’s all I want to do, I love my dentures yeah. Everyone says that, that. That that makes me really weird, because most people hate dentures. But I love them. I just don’t know why I just seem to get them Anyway okay, maybe because you get them.
Chita:
I just remember days of like joining acrylic away just in college.
Dr James:
Yeah, yeah, that part is not so fun, but the other part is good making someone smile when they don’t have teeth. That is, honestly. That is the main reason why well, one of the main reasons why I love dentistry. But anyway, enough about me, more about you.
Chita:
Yes, I guess I kind of got drawn into it. It was, you know, nice to get people out of pain and things like that. I’ll be honest, I was the most unfit person at university, like you know, when you have these sports days, I would not be the one like ever taking part, and I think once they asked me to jog and I was like I need to own a track suit or like a trailer. So it really wasn’t like my thing. And then, I guess, in my SD year so I lived out for a bit and I just thought maybe I should join a gym it’s something to do in the evenings and got quite into it and just used to really enjoy working out. Like the feeling after a workout you just feel like a sense of achievement, you feel actually more energized. And I actually got into it just by chance. I literally just joining a gym and enjoying it. And then I’d be really intrigued by like seeing how you can change the sculptor’s body by like lifting weights and got a personal trainer. And then, yeah, then I lost a lot of weight, so I used to be a lot bigger and I just felt like it changed me as a person. Like my confidence skyrocketed and I also got better at dentistry. I don’t know if it’s because my hands were smaller so I could do things that were better, but I don’t know, like everything kind of just changed. And then I thought, actually I think this is my thing and I can help people as well, and because I love helping people, which is obviously why I got into dentistry and and, yeah, then just got into fitness and enjoyed it. This entry said if you ever any ask anyone from Union of Liverpool, I was like the chubby kid in the corner eating pizza all the time.
Dr James:
I’m sure they’d never say that. I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.
Chita:
We’ll take your word for it.
Dr James:
We’ll take your word for it. You know what you know thinking about side hustles and side gigs. There’s almost always a really powerful brand story behind it, and that’s what it’s almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy that the success of the side gig comes from someone’s passion and that passion comes from a powerful experience that they’ve been through. So it sounds like that was that was your brand story, I suppose, or that was the event that ignited your passion and was able to propel you forwards in that industry. Is that fair to say?
Chita:
Yeah, definitely, and I absolutely love what I do Like anyone who worked with me knows it and I just think what the joy and fulfillment I get from exercise and eating. Well, I want everyone to like experience that and then find it’s quite life changing. So you can see my passion when I talk about this versus if I talk about a feeling. It’s very different.
Dr James:
I can. You know I was. I’m actually feeling your passion oozing out of the screen right now and I’m absolutely loving it. Question Dentistry. Will you ever as passionate about dentistry, or was it just something to pay the bills?
Chita:
I guess something to pay the bills, but I think I used to let it really stress me out. I think I’m a bit the protectionist when it comes to tea, so it sounds a bit sad. But if I tried to carve an amalgam and it didn’t look right, or my composite, the line angle or something if it wasn’t spot on, I could literally go home and not sleep. If a patient just got a little bit annoyed, I would just be like oh, I tried my best and let it get to me and I was like there’s more to life than a tooth.
Dr James:
Yeah, Well, that is honestly. I actually think perfection is the enemy of the goods. So much in dentistry and so many dentists. Their hearts are in the right place, almost to their own detriment, and I’ve been. I’ve been a victim of that as well, so I feel your pain. I feel your pain on that one. So dentistry you started out. You became a fitness. I don’t even know if you’re at the level of being a fitness fanatic in university, maybe you just had a. You had a mild, casual interest in it. You came out the other end of university, you were a dentist for a little while, and then what happened? What happened since then? Cause I know that now dentistry has taken a back seat. Fitness is in the driving seat, fitness is at the forefront. How did that evolution happen?
Chita:
So I guess, like when I was on clinic, I’d always want to like rush to get to the gym or to work out and people my nurse would be like no, if, like, a patient was going to be like 10 minutes late and I’ve got, I’ve got to get to the gym, Like it was a bit weird at that point. It was just cause I used to enjoy it and it’s only actually two years ago. I thought let me take the fun to see what happened. So I did a personal training course like level two, level three, and it was still actually while I was doing four days of dentistry. It was really hard to do the two things and I’ll be honest, it’s a straightforward course but it still took me a few months to do it. And just cause when you’re going into clinic and you’re doing all of that side, it’s really hard to come back home and revise and learn the anatomy of the heart again and things like that. So two years ago kind of took the plunge and I actually started working in a gym. So I had to like clean treadmills, like for free, and it was. It was weird Surrounding my 18 year olds when I’m like 32, my drawing was completely different. So it really tested me because obviously you go for learning quite a lot as a dentist cleaning treadmills as part of your, like, gym contract and then, like when COVID happened, obviously there was a massive lockdown. It really actually gave me the opportunity to like build my business and to put time into what I always wanted to do but never really put the time to do. And then I got to focus on that like really get into it, and then that’s where it essentially flourished and now, yeah, this is what I do most of the time essentially. So, yeah, hopefully that makes sense it does very organic.
Dr James:
When you, when you started working in that gym, what was your level of enthusiasm for dentistry at around about that time? Were you a little bit disillusioned with it or did you just think to yourself I’m going to be happier if I go down the fitness route, I’m willing to compromise on pay, I’m willing to spend that little bit of extra time at the gym. What were what made you do that? What was the main factor in your decision? Real quick guys. I put together a special report for dentists entitled the seven costly and potentially disastrous mistakes that dentists make whenever it comes to their finances. Most of the time, dentists are going through these issues and they don’t even necessarily realize that they’re happening until they have their eyes opened, and that is the purpose of this report. You can go ahead and receive your free report by heading on over to wwwdentistuneinvestcom forward slash podcast report or, alternatively, you can download it using the link in the description. This report details the seven most common issues. However, most importantly, it also shows you how to fix them Really. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Chita:
Well, I think I’ll be honest, I got married around four years ago and I ended up changing the practice I was working in and it wasn’t the practice I think I saw myself in. It was really high DNA rate, it was a lot of patience, really demanding, and I think I was like do you know what this isn’t really for me? I’d love to do the dentistry I really wanted to do, but I just couldn’t do it at that place. So I think I just felt a bit done with it, I’ll be honest, and it was just because I was in the wrong place for what I wanted to do clinically. So I think it shows how done I was if I was willing to be up working in a gym, like eight to 11 at night, closing the gym, going the next day in the morning at 6.30 in the morning to open the gym and you know things like that. And I think I was really like, okay, if I can make this work, then it’s awesome. It may not work, but I’ve got something to fall back on. But also, financially, I’ll be honest, it was a bit of a worry because you’ve gone from making quite a lot of money to really not making much money and it’s like, oh my God, what have I done? Like is this worth it? Have I made the right decision? But yeah, you just have to follow through with it and if it’s something you really enjoy, you make it work. And now I can safely say I don’t know if it’s fine to say, but I actually make more than I did as an associate doing what I do because I love it so much kind of thing. So yeah, it was a worry to do.
Dr James:
Well, do you know what? I hope that for anybody who’s listening to this, that what she just said might resonate with you, because my mindset, maybe not even that long ago, maybe even a couple years ago, was that, as far as dentistry is concerned, I just have to. I can’t even I didn’t really get that it’s an option to reduce your hours of dentistry and just try other things and do something else. I just thought, for me it’s very binary you’re in or you’re out, but money only matters to a point. Money only matters to the point where you have a roof over your head, you’re able to pay your bills, et cetera, et cetera, and to let money be the shared deciding factor on what you do with your time is. I’m not saying I’m right or I’m wrong because I did what I did, but all I’m saying is now that I look back and I just think, James, you’re crazy because you could have done so many more things with your time, particularly when, well, I did like dentistry. But there’s more to life than just teeth, you know, and that was me, that was me, that was what I did, and it sounds like maybe you realized that before me because you thought to yourself. Actually, do you know, I’m really interested in fitness, I’m really in this is, this is perhaps my main passion. Why don’t I, instead of just fully just severing the umbilical cord and going a bit mad, why don’t I just reduce one, try out the other and see what happens? And look what happened for you and you’ve even just said that financially, as it happens, it was worthwhile, which is something that maybe not necessarily people would think from the very beginning.
Chita:
Yeah, but don’t you find James as well Like I know I used to kind of be guilty of it is I Easily complain about something, but then I didn’t necessarily change it. It’s that makes sense that I would happily for years on end be like I’m gonna go into work tomorrow, oh, I’ve got this really awful, like a really hard case to do or something. And I think my family and my poor husband were probably thinking we hit it’s weak. Every week it’s the same. And I think someone was like I need just keep you’re gonna keep complaining or do something to change it. And I was like I can’t change it. I’m the dentist, like what, yeah, I’m doing what my job is. Like, what else can I do? And I think I probably had myself complain so much I probably wasn’t pleasant to be around. I thought actually, it is in my control, I can change this essentially. So I think it takes a while to get that switch. I don’t know if you you would agree that it wasn’t like overnight. You’re like, yeah, I’m just gonna do this. It takes that well for enough people to say it to be like why don’t you try something else?
Dr James:
I don’t know, no, totally preach, and it seems so obvious in hindsight I don’t know what I was thinking and I hope that that Resonates with somebody out there in some way. That and it like the thing is. I think the biggest misconception is you’re either in or you’re out. It doesn’t have to be that way at all and even if it’s reducing something down to four days and trying something else out for that fifth day, that’s totally a lifestyle that you can have. And if money is something, that Money, it only matters to a point. Money really only matters to the point that you’ve got enough to get by, and after that, happiness is the biggest thing. And for me, to have a shot at being something, doing something that you’re truly happy and passionate about Whether that be whether you want to totally leave dentistry or even do less dentistry Surely that’s worth a shot. And that was I wish. Honestly, I really wish someone would have had that conversation with me sooner. I really do. But yeah, like I said, you think you worked out one night all by yourself, cheetah, which so you. It took a lot. It took me a lot more time and a lot more people to confront me, or a lot more. You know books and information, resources of information, before that actually got through to me. But, yeah, I hope that that little bit of wisdom helps somebody who’s listening to this podcast in some way, because, after all, this is side gigs month. This is the whole point. This is about discovering your passion, finding what that passion is, getting even more passionate about it, maybe spending more time doing it and maybe, if the if the stars align and the magic happens, even make it into your own side hustle. That’s what we’re here for and that’s why I created this month as well, because, like I say, I really, really, really wish that there was Somebody out there that told me these things a long time ago. And, yeah, I hope that helps in some way. So, cheetah, ever since you set your business up, it seems like it’s went from strength to strength. So you did this, or what? What did that first leap of faith look like for you? Was that creating a piece of content, a video? Was that putting a website out there and saying, hey guys, this is what I do? Know I join up? How did that look for you?
Chita:
And so, as she started, is pretty basic. I just started actually making leaflets, which I would not do nowadays. So when I’m this different, got like some photos made of like me training, pretending to train someone, houses and and you know the crazy thing was like. And so you know there’s like Facebook groups or things, websites like next door, so I was actually willing to give people free personal training sessions, help people lose weight, just to help me get more experience, and then to get exposed. And you know what, only one person took me up. So all these websites like Facebook next door, the community groups of my area only one person took me up on it and I was like, am I not cut out for this? Like why is no one wants free like personal training? So that’s how it started. And and then I actually signed up to a course so got a mentor and they were talking on about like social media and Instagram, and I was like what someone’s gonna buy from me on on Instagram, like how does that work? And I’m only old and I’m not that old, but you know, I was just a bit oblivious to it. It’s like two years ago essentially, and so, yeah, I’m putting content out. There was quite scary like putting myself a video. I’m quite like a I can sometimes come across as quite a shy person, so to have that thing to like put myself out there was quite Quite tricky, but now it comes quite easy obviously. But you know, I needed that push for someone to say, look, you need to do this, you need to get out there, you need to inform people about what you do. And I think, I’ll be honest, the first plunge of telling people I’ve made the change was really daunting and I think that’s kind of what put me off a bit and slowed me down, because I don’t may sound a bit bad to say, but I did feel a bit embarrassed about my career change because I didn’t know how it’d be accepted, because I know now it’s usually open, but I think two years ago it was still actually quite closed and even then you still get the thing oh, but you’re a dentist, while you doing this, like, but you’re a dentist and I’m like that doesn’t solve my life problems being a dentist. So it was, yeah, so it started off with the thing who was the way, but it took me a while to look up the courage to say, okay, this is what I’m doing and making that change kind of thing, because we were kind of speaking about this briefly before. Weren’t we that, like, telling people about the change can be more overwhelming than making the change?
Dr James:
It’s a massive thing, and there’s two things that I’ll say on that. The first thing is I don’t know how the Transition was for you in terms of putting yourself out there, but I Remember there was someone who’s close to me who encouraged me to start putting content out there about what I was into, about crypto and about trading, and I still remember that first video that I put up. I still remember about you know, about you know my finger hovering over the post button on Facebook. That was, that was for me, that was the scariest moment of the whole process. Even now, 10 months, 11 months, in whatever because it’s going from being known as that Personally does this thing to this thing, and you don’t know at this point whether it’s gonna fly, whether it isn’t, but that leap of faith is massive. But the growth that affords you mentally in terms of being able to put yourself outside your comfort zone is a massive, massive thing. So that is the first thing. I don’t know how that felt for you, but that was the part that took the most courage for me and I’m so glad I did it in hindsight, so so glad, so much. We wouldn’t be having this conversation right now, realistically, if you wouldn’t have done what you’ve done and I wouldn’t have done what I’ve done. So the stars they coalesce, they aligned and yeah, it was beautiful, it was great, it was really really, really worth it. But it’s that’s the first thing I want to say. And then the second thing I wanted to say as well is, if we think about it, if we just step back and analyze for two seconds that problem, the fact that that’s so scary, that is 100% a psychological barrier. Yeah that is totally Psychological, that exists inside our head. Okay, yeah, people will talk about it. I swear, for five minutes and the next three videos you post, it becomes very quickly what you do. I it because it’s you would be amazed. Even within a few weeks it’s not even in the conversation or discourse anymore amongst other people. So, surely to me, because there’s so much potential to ignite a career along Something that you’re incredibly passionate in. Really, realistically, the only downside is that some people are gonna Converse about it for a month of time, perhaps people that you haven’t even spoke to for many years, which likely don’t have Very much bearing on your day-to-day life. Really, if you actually analyze that objectively, the upside is huge. The upside is massive. The upside is so big and the downside is actually relatively small, but it still takes a lot of courage. It’s a massive psychological thing. That’s all I wanted to say on that, because that struck a chord with me when you were speaking and I hope that that struck a chord with someone else out there, that it really is. it’s something that you will be astounded how quickly it becomes just what you do. So if that’s holding anybody back, look at it through that lens. That’s all I’m saying. Look at it through that lens, that’s really good advice.
Chita:
And also, don’t you feel like you’ll remember that scary bit when you were thinking, should I post it, Should I not? And the amazing positive feedback you get from everyone is actually you get quite shocked and you realise that there are people watching your social media that you didn’t even know. It was really great that I had my restorative tutor from university. Being like this is amazing. And I was like really, I didn’t even know. You were like on my Facebook and I’m like this is crazy. You don’t realise that people are always watching, but they’re also really happy for you and no one’s thinking like, oh, what are they doing? Or, if they do, they’re not going to say it to you, are they? They’re just going to keep it to themselves. So it doesn’t matter what other people think, as long as you’re happy with your choice. I think as well. So, yeah, it’s weird how many random people are watching.
Dr James:
You don’t realise I’m actually really glad that you mentioned that as well, because for me, I was stunned by the overwhelming positivity from lots of people as well, people that I hadn’t spoke to in years and I honestly yeah, we hadn’t had conversations for ages. I thought they’d forgotten about me. I’d forgotten a little bit about them. You know just people that would just kind of move on. We have different paths in our lives and it was really uplifting. Yeah, that was massively positive and that was something that I didn’t really see coming, and at the time it was really heartwarming and it did. It kept me going a lot and, yeah, as I say anybody else who’s out there, you won’t anticipate that coming, but it 100% happens and it’s really, really, really nice.
Chita:
Yeah, that you agree. Yeah, you can see the look on your face probably got some people in your mind that you know and it’s nice that that we acknowledge those people as well. So if anyone’s never had a comment back from me, I always do appreciate all the likes and all the support because I do see it and it doesn’t mean a lot. But sometimes the time to reply back to everyone can be not on my side. I find it as well.
Dr James:
Yeah, of course, of course, yeah, that can happen. But, yeah, for anybody it’s just like you know, when you’re a dentist and that patient who takes a time to leave a Google review and it really really makes you so happy and I’m not sure many patients realize just how happy it does make us. Same thing except with your side gig. That totally translates to your side gig, guys. So, yeah, worth it. It’s actually a journey and an experience in itself, and for me, I didn’t really think that that would happen or anticipate it until I went through it myself, and all I’ll say is that, yeah, if you do decide to take the plunge, you’ve almost certainly got that to look forward to. It’s really really, really nice, and that’s the side that you don’t see 100%, 100%. So, cheetah, I wanted to ask you business now. You’ve already given us a little bit of a hint that it seems to be going well. How does your, how does dentistry fit in around it these days? Which is, which is the more dominant aspect of your life fitness dentistry. How does that look?
Chita:
Yep. So fitness takes up most of my life. So I do personal training, but I also do online coaching. So I actually mainly work with dentists. So it’s all about making my clients look and feel amazing, for really confident in themselves. So that, I’ll be honest, does take around seven days or so of my week because it’s constantly just looking after everyone. But because I love it so much, I’ll be honest, I don’t see it as work. I don’t think, oh, I’ve got to like see how so and so is doing. I’m actually really looking forward to seeing how they’re getting on, how their progress is going, and just seeing, like, how I helped them. And then dentistry is really reduced. So obviously, with COVID it was, I’ll be honest, quite non-existent, and then, since everything opened up, do like all 10 at Fridays I go into clinic. So just a recession. So that’s 730 to one, just get it done in the morning and which is good. But I always just think I’ve worked pretty hard for it and, stepping away from it, I find I enjoy it a lot more, which is really weird because I don’t feel like I’m in it. I’m more on the outside doing it. I feel like even though I am doing it, but my mindset is really different. I don’t get stressed by things because I think there’s way more other things going on in life. And, yeah, because I do work with CQC as well and it’s just part of their thing to obviously keep me active clinically. So it’s, yeah, every other week session in clinic and then CQC inspections. I’ve just started to pick up just as and when I want to do them. They’re quite flexible with it. So it’s more just to make sure that everyone is safe and people should hate us. I’ll be honest, it’s just to make sure people are compliant. Getting these audits done, please do them. But yeah, that fits in around my fitness side and, I’ll be honest, I see that as my primary business, and then the dentistry and the other bits fit in around it. So that’s how I do it.
Dr James:
That’s so cool, and that was one thing. You just touched upon one thing there that I want to just discuss a little further. If anybody does go down this route, be prepared for it more than likely to become a seven day thing. But the difference is that because you love it so much, it doesn’t feel like work. The lines become somewhat blurred. But on the flip side, because you don’t have regimented hours, you have free time to go off and do things on the weekdays that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do, and for me I suppose the pros far outweigh the cons. I always felt I don’t know if this is going to. I don’t know if this is going to really resonate with anybody or not, but when I did nine to five, I came home and I always saw it to myself. You know, is this, is this? It Is this just what life’s going to be. So I just go to work nine to five Monday to Friday every week and then have fun at the weekend, go out to meals and restaurants, and I always felt a little constrained. I always felt like there was something more to life. And now I feel like, when you have your own side hustle and when you have the opportunity to be on a social media platform and speak to lots of people. The opportunities that come your way are just so exciting, sometimes like opportunities to speak on webinars, lots of people at conferences you don’t. There’s so much variation day to day that I find that I don’t feel that way anymore and I don’t know if you feel like that. It’s almost like another reason to be excited to get out of bed. It’s like a whole new dimension to your life. Cheetah, what? What were you thinking when you heard me speak then? Did that strike a chord with you? Would you say that it’s similar for you?
Chita:
That really definitely resonated because I know when I used to work in clinic, like Monday to Friday, I’ll be on a site to live for the weekend. So Friday night I felt like I’d need a glass of wine because I’ve had a really tough week and then it was always just like waiting for the weekend to come and I was a bit like there must be more to life. I’m sure you can’t just work really hard and then you spend that money on the weekend and then it’s like the whole whole thing again. So and it’s nice now that when I do get out of bed it’s like the excitement for work essentially, and you can make it work for your timetable. So if I want to go out for a nice lunch I’m not restricted to like, oh, I’ve got patient that too. So it’s like it’s really nice, you’re in control of your diary. But one thing actually I don’t know if you find this as well, because it is so enjoyable and we love what we do it’s quite easy to like burn out and not realize because I do I spend a lot more hours working than if I was doing a nine to five clinic. I’m essentially working from like the second I wake up to the second I go to sleep, and there’s something that I really had to focus on is just making putting a bit of time aside for me, because I know when we’re doing dentistry we’ve got that evening to just unwind. But when it’s our own thing, it’s we just put all of our time and effort into it and it can be quite easy Just to forget that we also need to look after ourselves a bit as well. But I don’t know how you have your experiences, james. Was that or totally?
Dr James:
No, absolutely Absolutely, and I think we’ve all been through that process or journey in which we learn that you have to actually set this, you have to ring friends time just for yourself, or else you don’t do it Because there’s always something more. There’s always another email to respond to or another message or something like that. And whilst you love doing it, when it gets to the point that maybe I don’t know, you’re not eating properly or you’re not going to the gym yourself, that’s when you have to say, actually it’s time that I just took some of that time, ring fenced it and used it to do something that’s helpful for me. Only because that’s not because you’re selfish, by the way, that’s just because there is a very minimum level of maintenance that has to go in there that you sometimes don’t do because you get so totally Inveloped within what you do, and I’ve actually been that person where I I’ve just constantly just went hammer and tongs, work, work, work, work, work, and it never ends well, and I’ve now learned to prior and you know what good, but going through that was always Without going into too much detail. Going through that made taught me that it is so important to prioritize that, and I actually used to Feel a little guilty about doing things for myself before that, whereas now I don’t. So if that helps anybody who’s done this path, it’s never, ever a bad thing and it’s something that you should never feel guilty about. Is just even ring fence and like two, three hours in the day, just for yourself what a lot of my friends do who have similar entrepreneurial activities. They, they get up, they live proper entrepreneur. Well, sorry, they work proper entrepreneur hours in that they get up at like six every day. Okay, they go to the gym. Whatever. They never book calls in before 12, because six to 12 is their growth time. Okay, now, this sounds so a little corny, like a little Americanized. I think it is really effective. So that’s six to 12 they get up, they go to the gym. They still, you know, they still do it. It’s like quite regimented. It’s not like they lie around for those hours, but they use it just to read and learn, listen to audiobooks, read things to improve themselves, things to grow themselves, and then they just the rest of the time. That’s when they focus on their, their business or what have you. But that time is so, so important to actually grow, not just themselves, but grow their business too. So that’s something that I’ve noticed is common amongst Entrepreneurs, but perhaps you might, I don’t. It sounds like you’ve realized that yourself as well, cheetah, and I don’t know how you do it Is there. Do you have a similar sort of structure in terms of time, or what are your rules of thumb on that one? Because people who are venturing down this path, it’ll be helpful for you to share what you’ve learned on that one. Most definitely.
Chita:
Yeah, so, and yeah, I kind of agree with what you’re saying in the sense that I didn’t used to do that, used to prioritize everything else, and they’re working in the business as opposed to on the business, which is what’s going to develop it further. So now I kind of make sure I prioritize my bit, because when my Brains most active is what I’m going to get all of my ideas and come up with, like my social media or see how I can help people that bit further. And then I know in the afternoon is a bit of like long time, so my brain’s just a bit tired, so I need to use all of my mental energy in the morning but I have to like get my work out and get my steps in, make sure I’m like really plan for the day and listen to podcast or Like read a book or something, and then just make sure I’ve done that one thing that’s going to get my business to go that bit further, and then I’ll Work in the business essentially, so I check in on everyone kind of thing. So, yeah, but it’s like my, my similes up at 6, 30 to 11, and then after that Look after everyone else, because only because I’ve went to the track ways to burn out. I’m to everyone else first and then I wasn’t working out and I was all this not good, like I’m supposed to be the fitness person I need to work out so, yeah, yeah, there you go, because it has that’s part of your brand.
Dr James:
I didn’t even think about that part. Yeah, cheetah, that’s absolutely awesome. Honestly, I think anybody who’s listening today will have find a lot of value in what you were saying, because All I will say is from me, from the outside. Looking in, it’s like this whole world that I just never knew that existed, and it really is this all other dimension that can massively Enhanced your life. Cheetah, for anybody who’s listening, from someone like yourself, who’s been through the process, the journey, so, so to speak, what would you say to anybody who’s thinking about taking the plunge Into creating their own side gig? If you could have a conversation with yourself all those years ago, what might you say?
Chita:
And I would just say just do it and don’t worry about what anyone else is gonna think or say, because I think we all put that, that in our head first and and that kind of delays things. So, if you’re thinking about doing it, just go with it. If you’re, if there’s something you really enjoying your passion about, you will make it work. And I also think it is worth speaking to like a minute, getting a mentor or someone to guide you in the right path, because it’s just gonna speed up your journey. So, yeah, that’s what I would suggest. I don’t know if you’d say add any other words to that, james.
Dr James:
I would say one thing. I would say Compromise on clinical dentistry time. Yeah to have a shot at Enhancing your life and achieving an even greater sphere of happiness. Playing of happiness. Yeah that’s what I would say. That’s the one thing I would say to myself Cheetah, this been out, so gold us today. Thank you so much for your time. I want to know, before we wrap up, what are cheetahs top actionable steps to starting your own side gig.
Chita:
It’s a good question and so actual actionable things, and so, a bit like what James said, if you can reduce your clinical commitment To focus on what you want to do, then that would be a really good start, because we all know there’s only so many hours in the day. So to try and juggle two things is going to be really hard to be successful in the thing you want to pursue, and the other thing is just literally reach out to people, speak to people and don’t. I know it’s quite easy to worry about the Finances, but just make sure, as long as you’re comfortable and you can like Put food on the table and a house over your head, just just don’t worry about finances as much and just make it work is what I would say. So, obviously, have some form of a backup plan, but just put the right time towards it and don’t be half-hearted about it, because it just you won’t get there. You kind of got to go fill in and do it, because there’s a book called identity bread at James the one thing. So it’s very similar to what we were speaking about. I can’t remember who it’s by, but when I read that I think it just really clarified it. You’ve just got to go with it. Put all of your time and energy into it if you can, and then it’ll flourish even further, essentially. So yeah, and read lots of books really handy as well.
Dr James:
Honestly, I am the biggest proponent of reading because if you think about what a book is. How long does it take to write a book? What maybe like a proper book Years? Think about the level of expertise that someone needs to have before they write a book. That book that you can read relative to how long it took the author to write it. You can read in a blink of an eye. Okay, compared to how long it took them to acquire that information and write it. You are acquiring the distilled knowledge of that individual in an absolute minute amount of time compared to what it took for them to attain it, and what an incredible privilege that is. And I just was thinking. I was just pondering about books the other day and I just thought do you know? That’s what a book is? I think I might have heard part of that on a Gary Vee podcast. Gary Vee is a good person to listen to for any would-be entrepreneurs out there as well. So, yeah, definitely a podcast that you wanna hit up Awesome. So, Cheetah, I know as well that you helped Dentist get fitter. Can you tell us a little bit more about that too, and how anybody might wanna reach out to you if they want to and if they want to attain health, wealth and physical wellbeing?
Chita:
Yeah, definitely. So I have an Instagram page and a Facebook page called train with Cheetah, so THI TA, and so what I do is I basically mainly work with Dentist because I know how stressful our lives are and how busy we can be as well, but also how important looking after our health is, because it’s so easy to kind of be like bending forwards just to get someone’s tooth fixed. So it’s all about making sure that you look after yourself, eating the right foods, so then you’ve got the right energy to get you through the clinical day, ultimately sleeping better, being less stressed and just having a better quality of life, but also looking amazing and feeling amazing, because I guess why people approach me is to lose weight, but then all the other things come into play with it. So what I love is when I work with my clients and they send me pictures of them at events or sounds a bit weird, but like if they’re in a bikini, but it’s really nice, just like they’ve never had that before, and to know that you’ve helped that person get them there is truly amazing. So, yeah, even if anyone wants like three tips or anything, or I like to do my Instagram content quite good for good advice, so feel free to check it out. Yeah, and always, if you’ve got any questions about changing career or taking the plunge as well, really happy to help, because I know there’s that Facebook group where there’s quite a few about changing careers and then there’s like mental dental, I think it’s called. So I don’t know if I phrased that right, so that may have come across wrong, but I’m always happy to help basically. So I’m always keeping a lookout on those groups to see if there’s anything I can do to help someone, because I know I would have appreciated it back in the day, I think as well. So that’s fine.
Dr James:
That’s awesome, and for anybody who can’t see the video right now, I have this recording and it’s only listening to audio. Chita has the biggest smile on the face and I know she’s speaking from the heart. I really, really do, and I’m actually so pleased for you that you find your passion, and I hope that anybody listening to this podcast can find their passion as well, whether that be dentistry, whether that be something else, and if they can make a side gig out of that and lead so much more of a fulfilling life. That’s what we’re here for and that’s why I created Side Gigs Month Awesome. I felt the energy. Today, chita, I had an absolutely wonderful time shooting. That did you.
Chita:
Yeah, definitely, and thank you so much for having me as well, and it’s nice that there’s more people like us out there, because otherwise it can be a little bit isolating just to do it without other people doing it as well. So, yeah, it’s awesome, love it.
Dr James:
Yeah, well, actually just one tiny thing that we’ll wrap up. The journey can actually be really lonely unless you have whatever is around you doing the same thing. And this day and age, we have the privilege of social media, where there are a lot of individuals out there who’ve ventured down that path. And again, just going back to when we were talking about how you’ll be astounded by the number of people that will reach out to you. Those people will find you, I promise, and it’s a really uplifting thing. Guys, thank you so much for listening to this podcast today. I have had an absolute whale off the time shooting it, chita, I would hope that you say the same.
Chita:
Yes, definitely it’s been good fun, thanks to you. Awesome, awesome. No pressure there. It’s been my pleasure to have you, it really has.
Dr James:
And, yeah, guys, anybody who’s listening to this podcast, I hope it’s ignited a well, just a different perspective on life for yourself, maybe just another way of looking at things and maybe got everybody thinking about how they can venture down this route or journey of creating their own side. Gig should be so wish, Chita, we are gonna wrap up now. It’s been an absolute pleasure to have you. Thank you so much for appearing on the podcast and we will speak again very, very soon, I’m sure.
Chita:
Thank you, thank you.
Dr James:
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