Wouldn't it be nice to get paid without having to lift a finger? Well, the good news is that this is possible with ASX shares.

In fact, earning $1,000 a month in passive income from the share market could happen sooner than you think.

The key is to invest in quality ASX shares, make regular investments, and let the quiet magic of compounding work its magic.

Here's a look at how to turn consistency into cash flow:

Focus on growth

Unless you already have a huge lump sum to play with, the fastest path to passive income isn't buying high-yield stocks from day one — it is building a strong portfolio first.

Let's say you invest in a group of quality ASX shares regularly and aim for a 10% total return per annum. By reinvesting every dollar and staying the course, you give compounding the time it needs to get to work and grow your investment portfolio materially.

For example, if you invest $1,000 a month at a 10% return (not guaranteed), you could build a portfolio worth over $240,000 in just over 11 years. And once you're there, that's when the strategy flips and income becomes your focus.

For this portfolio, investors may want to focus on quality stocks with strong and sustainable business models, competitive advantages, and positive growth outlooks. This could mean ASX shares like ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL).

Switch to income

With a portfolio of $240,000, you can begin to pivot from growth to income by shifting into high-quality dividend-paying shares or ETFs.

Assuming an average dividend yield of 5% across your portfolio, you' would be generating $12,000 a year in passive income.

That income could come from a mix of reliable ASX dividend shares like Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) or income-focused ETFs such as Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY).

Stay disciplined along the way

The biggest advantage most investors overlook? Time and consistency.

Reinvest your dividends in the early years. Keep adding to your portfolio monthly, even in down markets. Don't get distracted by noise or short-term corrections. Let compounding do the heavy lifting.

Foolish takeaway

Earning $1,000 a month in passive income from ASX shares doesn't require luck or perfect timing — just a simple, disciplined strategy built around quality, consistency, and time in the market.

Focus on growing your capital first. Reinvest every cent. And when the time is right, switch gears into income mode and enjoy the cash flow you've spent years building toward.