The tip of the week this week is to read this powerful blog post from one of my favorite blogs, ‘Pick the Brain’. (It also seems fitting given Ed Poll will be continuing his course this week at Solo Practice University with a live teleseminar on Tuesday, May 19th at noon EST on Setting Personal and Professional Goals).

Without motivation, true motivation, life and success can be a struggle.  The most powerful phrase in this post (for me personally) is that which I have always said to those who wish to open a solo practice but who continue to get too caught up in listening to the negative chorus:

You will not find this happiness, productivity, motivation or inspiration if you are trying to achieve things based on others’ standards.

This is true in all aspects of life.  But it is especially true when trying to create your own business.  You are going against professional convention while others try to impose their own fears upon you.  Or worse, try to tell you that what you are trying to do is harmful to your clients, especially if you are newly minted from law school.

I’ve always trusted myself to make the right decisions.  And as a new lawyer right out of law school starting a practice, the only one who was ever harmed when I was wrong (and usually financially from a client who would not or could not pay) was myself, never my clients.

It takes hutspah to believe in yourself, your goals, and your ambitions in the face of those who don’t believe in themselves.  It’s easy to take the path of least resistance, to cave when facing those wagging fingers warning you of the perils of starting a solo practice.

All I can say is this. If you are motivated, passionate and committed to the solo option forge ahead.  It’s not as scary or dangerous as others would have you believe.  Not by a long shot.