Taking a chance at being a solo practitioner is frightening.  I can tell you that after being in practice for 2 years, I’m still frightened – of failure, of not being able to generate revenue, of losing my mind. Mind you, I’m not saying I live in a constant state of fear and panic, but every once in a while, if I stop long enough and pull myself away from my practice long enough to look around, I do get scared.  But it’s OK because those are my fears and I own them.

When I graduated law school and was looking for a job (before I was sworn in), I interviewed with a small, 3-person, family law firm.  During the interview process with the owner, she told me that she would help me learn family law and supervise me.  I appreciated that.  Then she told me that in her opinion, anyone who’s in practice less than 5-years has no idea what they’re doing and would be committing malpractice if not for a supervising attorney (like her holiness).  That, I did not appreciate.  It was not only condescending, but it was instilling fear.  Like I said before, I get scared sometimes about my practice imploding but those are my fears.  Don’t ever let someone else’s fear become your own.

“What do you say to takin’ chances
What do you say to jumpin’ off the edge
Never knowin’ if there’s solid ground below
Or hand to hold; Or hell to pay
What do you say?”
– Celine Dion “Taking Chances”