There's something satisfying about earning income without having to lift a finger. For many investors, dividends from ASX shares offer exactly that — a reliable stream of cash flow, quarter after quarter.

If you have set your sights on generating $5,000 a year in dividend income, the good news is that it is achievable with the right plan, some patience, and a bit of discipline.

Here's how you can start building towards that goal today.

Step 1: Know your target

To generate $5,000 per year in dividend income, you will need to know your target. The key variable here is your dividend yield — that is, how much income your portfolio pays relative to its value.

Here's how much you'd need to invest into an income portfolio at different average yields:

• 4% yield: $125,000 portfolio
• 5% yield: $100,000 portfolio
• 6% yield: $83,000 portfolio

Many high-quality ASX dividend shares and ETFs yield between 4% and 6%, so aiming for a blended 5% yield seems like a reasonable starting point.

Step 2: Focus on sustainable dividends

While it might be tempting to chase the highest yield you can find, the smarter move is to focus on companies (or ASX ETFs) that can consistently pay — and grow — their dividends over time.

This means businesses with strong cash flow, healthy balance sheets, positive growth outlooks, and a track record of rewarding shareholders.

Examples might include energy infrastructure company APA Group (ASX: APA), telco giant Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), toll road company Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), and Bunnings and Kmart owner Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

Alternatively, there are ETFs out there that bring together a collection of dividend payers. One of the most popular is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY), which currently has a 5.1% dividend yield.

Step 3: Build up steadily

If you don't have $100,000+ ready to go, don't worry — most people build their income portfolio gradually over time. And you can too.

For example, if you can invest $500 per month and reinvest any dividends along the way, a portfolio earning 10% annually (capital growth + dividend yield) could hit $100,000 in 10 years.

At that point, you can start to enjoy the dividend income or keep on building.

Foolish takeaway

Generating an income from the share market doesn't take rocket science, thankfully. Investors just need to find a plan that fits to their budget, focus on investing in quality ASX shares, and then stick with it through the years.