1:    Don't quit your day job until you have a lot of work on the side.
Consultant work will build slowly, as your reputation takes a year or two to
build.

2:    You MUST be able to decisively conclude projects.  If you tend to drift
on in hours tinkering until it is optimally perfect, you will bury yourself in
back work.

3:    Most failures occur because one cannot either:
        Estimate hours accurately
        Deal with people diplomatically and arrive at agreements
        Manage your own time efficiently so that you finish things

4:    You can choose any hours you like, as long as you work 12 per day. (at
first)

5:    Try to choose a special skill.  If you perform anything for anyone, you
might find that you do not have strong appeal or cannot command higher pay.

6:    Decide how long you want to do it.  Most people do not have the high
energy to do it for more than a decade.  You should plan to gracefully exit at
some point to a regular position.  Being a principle in a startup is a common
out.

7:    If maried, make sure your marriage will survive OK.  It is not worth
ditching your spouse.

Chris Eddy

Jim Hartmann wrote:

> Hello, does anyone have any recommended books or ideas about "dropping out
> and tuning in" to the independent consulting business?  Are flexible hours
> and schedule a realized advantage?