Are you dreaming of building an online business but feel like you just don’t have enough time?
Maybe you’re juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, and life’s everyday chaos. If that sounds like you, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
I just completed my second week of my new 9 to 5 job (in fact it’s more 8h30 to 17h30 with a commute time of about 1h15 per working day).
Up to now, I like my new position as an EMC engineer and I consider myself privileged of having it as I will be helping my country to build the new River-class Destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Because of the controlled goods involved and the highly classified defense information I need to work with, my commute is thus necessary and it’s not the kind of job I can work from home. Add to this, the time for all the essential afterwork activities like eating, physical conditioning, personal care & hygiene, sleeping, and the math is easily done: not much time for my affiliate marketing business.
But nevertheless, I found the time this week to post on TikTok, read and comment on some blogs, write on my Facebook page, post on my email list and of course, write this blog post.
The truth is, you don’t need to spend 8 hours a day to build a successful online business. You just need 1 focused hour per day.
In this blog post, I’ll show you exactly how to make that hour count so you can start seeing real progress—even if your schedule is already packed like mine! 😉
Step 1: Pick the Right Business Model
Not all online businesses are created equal. Some require huge upfront investments of time and money, while others are much simpler to start.
If you’re short on time, the best model for you is affiliate marketing. Here’s why:
✅ No need to create your own product
✅ No customer service or shipping hassles
✅ Start with low investment
✅ Earn commissions by promoting other people’s products
Biased or not, I talk in confidence because affiliate marketing is the model I’ve learned and the one I’m still using today to make money online.
Moreover, with this experience I can now tell that, with the right system in place, you can start making money online without spending hours building complicated websites or products from scratch.
Step 2: Follow a Proven System (Don’t Reinvent the Wheel)
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to figure everything out on their own.
They spend months (or even years) watching YouTube videos, jumping from one method to another, and never actually taking action.
Instead of wasting time, find a step-by-step system that’s already working. This will help you avoid mistakes and get results faster.
One great option is The Quick Start Challenge (QSC), a proven system designed specifically for beginners to start seeing results faster. Unlike other methods that most often leave you guessing, this challenge provides step-by-step guidance, done-for-you tools, and expert coaching to eliminate confusion and help you take action immediately. It gives you everything you need to start your affiliate marketing business—even if you’re a complete beginner. (More on this later!)
Step 3: Create a 1-Hour Daily Action Plan
If you only have 1 hour per day, you need to use it wisely. Here’s a simple 1-hour blueprint you can follow:
🕒 Minute 0-10: Mindset & Learning
- Read or watch something educational about your business (but don’t get stuck in learning mode!)
- Get inspired by success stories to stay motivated
🕒 Minute 10-40: Take Action
- Set up your affiliate business
- Write an email to your list
- Create content (social media posts, short-form videos, blog articles)
- Engage with your audience or potential leads
🕒 Minute 40-60: Review & Plan for Tomorrow
- Track your progress (followers, email subscribers, commissions, etc.)
- Adjust your strategy if needed
- Plan your next step for tomorrow so you can hit the ground running
Even if you can only commit 5 days a week, this routine will compound over time and bring real results.
For example, the University of Sunderland in London emphasizes that working in smaller time blocks can increase productivity, as it allows tasks to be broken down into more manageable goals. Consistent daily effort, even in small increments, leads to significantly higher skill mastery and productivity compared to sporadic, intense work sessions.
Many top entrepreneurs started by dedicating just an hour a day, proving that steady progress beats short bursts of effort. This aligns with Russell Brunson’s application of the 80/20 Rule in marketing—where 20% of your efforts generate 80% of your results. By focusing on high-impact tasks like content creation, email marketing, and audience engagement during that one hour, you maximize efficiency and get closer to success faster than those who waste time on low-priority tasks.
Step 4: Stay Consistent & Avoid Distractions
The key to success is consistency.
Studies show that even dedicating just 1 hour per day to a focused activity can lead to exponential progress over time. Many successful entrepreneurs started with small daily habits that compounded into thriving businesses. One focused hour every day is better than spending 5 hours on the weekend and then doing nothing for the rest of the week.
Here’s how to stay on track:
✅ Set a daily reminder so you never skip your power hour
✅ Remove distractions (turn off notifications, put your phone on silent)
✅ Track small wins to stay motivated
Success doesn’t happen overnight, but if you show up every day, stay committed, and trust the process, you’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make.
Every small step adds up, bringing you closer to the business and freedom you’ve been dreaming of!
Want a Proven Shortcut?
If you want a done-for-you system that simplifies everything, The Quick Start Challenge is designed to help you build your online business step by step—with just 1 hour a day.
You’ll get:
✅ A beginner-friendly system that’s already working
✅ A done-for-you funnel (no tech headaches!)
✅ Coaching & support so you never feel stuck
Click here to learn more and start today!
Building an online business while working a 9-5 is possible. You just need the right plan—and now you have one! 🚀
The best time to start is now. Take that first step today, stay consistent, and watch your efforts pay off. Your future success starts with the actions you take today!
What’s the biggest challenge stopping you from taking action? Drop a comment below—I’d love to help!
P.S. It takes just 1 minute to subscribe to my newsletter. Take this minute at your advantage and subscribe here now.
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