For me, separating yourself from salaried employees and becoming a self-employed is a risk that is worth taking. It can pay off in a variety of different ways if you have some level of self-control and if you can work under little or no supervision. Being a self-employed gives you flexibility over your working hours; you decide when you want to work and when you want to take a holiday. Deciding to go solo also gives you more control over your income; this could provide you with more incentive to work harder. Doing what gives you pleasure is also why I would prefer to be self-employed than be forced to some work that you don’t really like by your boss.