Declan: I appreciate your exemplary insights, some of which I can personally relate to having likewise been self-employed as a comms/PR consultant and freelance writer for nearly two years. I’m reminded of the oft used saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side.”

While I concur with your astute advice and wise assessment, I would also emphasize the following:

In my opinion, it’s better to work for yourself then to stay at a job where you are unchallenged and miserable due to a bad boss, intolerable co-workers, no prospects for advancement and/or other reasons.

If working for yourself turns out not to work well, it’s always possible to pursue another job again in private industry or government. This brings me to some of my favorite mantras for budding entrepreneurs to also consider on a more positive note:

No risk no reward.

Take a leap of faith.

And if you never try you’ll never know what might have been.

Many thanks for considering this perspective in addition to your exemplary and practical points.