Striking out on your own sounds bold and exciting. It sounds like you’ll be gaining some hard-earned freedom. But the reality will most likely be very different.
That first year in solo practice isn’t a gentle hike. It’s a brutal, uphill battle. It’s long hours, financial strain, and the relentless pressure of knowing that every decision, every move, every mistake falls squarely on you.
The difference between those who make it and those who don’t isn’t talent or luck. It’s resilience. It’s their ability to endure discomfort, make hard choices, and fully commit regardless of uncertainty. Because once you leave the security of a paycheck behind, everything changes.
If you’re single and have no dependents or no overhead, you have an advantage. You can afford to fail. You can live on next to nothing and take risks without real consequences.
But when you have a family relying on you — a mortgage, a lifestyle you’ve worked years to build, and so on — the real weight of the decision will set in. It’s not just about you anymore. It’s about making sure the people who depend on you don’t feel the strain of your ambition.
This means one thing: discipline.
Discipline means the ability to cut expenses to the bone, eliminating every unnecessary cost so you can create the financial cushion you need. No lavish vacations. No impulse purchases. No subscriptions you barely use. Every dollar matters.
If you’re not willing to make sacrifices, you’re not ready to go solo.
Having the perfect office and all the pretty bells and whistles won’t matter if you don’t have clients. A website, business cards, and branded merchandise are distractions. You need a way to bring in business — to land your first case and keep landing more. Start with a laptop you already own, a phone, and an internet connection. The rest is noise.
Forget the fantasy of “being your own boss” and “setting your own hours.” As an entrepreneur, you’ll work longer and harder than you ever have. Every problem will become your problem: bringing in business, managing cases, keeping the lights on. The pressure won’t let up and you won’t have more free time.
Success will demand more than you’re used to giving.
So how do you make it through? You commit. Fully.
You decide that failure isn’t an option and that you’re willing to endure lasting discomfort to build something greater. You save aggressively and cut expenses, preparing for the grind ahead. You push forward even when it’s exhausting, when progress feels slow, and doubt creeps in.
Because the truth is, growth isn’t comfortable.
It’s filled with setbacks, sacrifices, and sleepless nights. But those who embrace the challenges, make the hard decisions, and refuse to let short-term pain derail their long-term vision are the ones who succeed.
Your first year solo might be hell. But if you can endure it, if you can push through, you’ll come out stronger, sharper, and fully in control of your future — and that’s worth everything.
