I had the same problem. Here's my suggestion, which worked out pretty well for me: pick a small, well-defined project, and code the hell out of it. It doesn't have to do a lot, it just has to be an example of your best work. Try re-implementing something that's already been done in another language, or in other settings. Then, when you give someone your github account, tell them "The rest of this stuff is me messing around because I love to code, but this project right here... that's how I code when I mean business". They'll understand, and they'll be impressed.
Not everyone can spend 40 hours a week on side projects. Most people hiring should understand that. If they don't, you probably don't want to work there anyway.
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I had the same problem. Here's my suggestion, which worked out pretty well for me: pick a small, well-defined project, and code the hell out of it. It doesn't have to do a lot, it just has to be an example of your best work. Try re-implementing something that's already been done in another language, or in other settings. Then, when you give someone your github account, tell them "The rest of this stuff is me messing around because I love to code, but this project right here... that's how I code when I mean business". They'll understand, and they'll be impressed.
Not everyone can spend 40 hours a week on side projects. Most people hiring should understand that. If they don't, you probably don't want to work there anyway.