Why I spent €14,763 so you don’t have to
I poured that money into IMMA, partly to figure out what not to do, and partly to get a fast-track my learning. And if I'm being real?
To be honest, part of it was also to ease my own doubts and to compensate for my insecurities about supporting freelancers on their journey, given that I haven't freelanced for a decade.
Have you ever felt that sinking doubt, questioning if you're truly cut out for what you're doing? Amanda Parker calls it the imaginary "fraud police". Which is stopping by, accusing you: "We see you, making things up as you go. We have evidence you have no idea what you're doing."
Those shadows of doubt sure know how to stage an intervention.
Trust me, you're not alone in feeling like an imposter. It's a real feeling many of us grapple with, especially when diving into new territories. And for those venturing into the climate and social impact space, this feeling is all too common. But here's the catch: with the existential threat of a planetary crisis, can anyone truly be an expert in something we've never faced before?
Building on your strengths
We've known about the climate crisis for over 50 years, but we've done very little. Clearly, something isn't working, and we need new approaches and ways of addressing the problem.
No one knows everything in this ever-evolving field, but we all are experts in something. It’s often the combination of skills and experiences that makes us unique.
When I started with IMMA, I had many doubts. I hadn’t been a freelancer for decades. So instead of positioning myself as the expert, I chose to be a facilitator. As a strategic designer, I’m great at research, simplifying complexities, and curating content. So why not bring the best of the best together?
Searching for gold nuggets for you
To achieve this, I spent 14,763€ on 12 freelancer and small business courses, programmes, and books. Why? To find the gems, to distil the real insights that could make our freelancing journey smoother and more fruitful.
As Austin Kleon writes, ‘“If you steal from one author it's plagiarism; if you steal from many it's research.”
Through this journey, I had a thought: What if we, the freelancers, stopped searching in isolation and started pooling our collective wisdom and resources together? This spark of inspiration led to the creation of the IMMA membership, but that’s a story for another time.
Not everyone can and should invest so much money to shortcut their journey. Some of the richest learnings come from experience, not expenditure and your journey’s value isn’t tied to a price tag.
Let’s get back to you: What is the research you can do that's valuable for others?
How can you combine your unique skills in novel ways?
Get Ready to Freelance Workshop 🚀
All the knowledge, the insights, and the 'a-ha' moments I discovered are now part of the 'Start Your Freelancing' workshop. If you're eager to dive into these insights without spending as much as I did, come join in.
The spotlight
I will alternate between 'shortcuts' and 'spotlight' sections so you can get to know some of the people orbiting around IMMA. First up is Carmen Escobar. Carmen is a Business & Strategic Designer. She assists organisations in creating, launching, and innovating solutions that not only drive positive business outcomes but also empower individuals and contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet.
You can find more about Carmen’s work here.
Interesting opportunities for you
Freelance gigs come and go quickly so in the future I would like to share them on a weekly basis. Here is a selection of 15 hand-picked opportunities so you don’t have to spend time on Linkedin, Slack and Job boards searching:
Strategy & Design
Strategy Consultant - Equal Measures 2030
Strategy consultant - Global Public Investment Network
Regenerative Brand Designer - Make Honey Incubator
Associate Product Designer - Chargelab
Comms & Engagement
Content creator - Earth Alliance
Climate Storytelling - The local Storytelling Exchange
Short-Term Evaluator - Internews
Evaluator - Norwich Theater
Grants Project Manager - Climate Finance Solutions
Consultant for a literature review on community participation in human rights - Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
Consultants for a power shift case study International Civil Society Centre
Other
Consultants Adaptation Finance Program - Global Center on Adaptation
Developers - Here I Am Studio
ESG / Climate Freelancer - Nexio Projects
Technical Product Manager - Skillshare
Join Us
Whether you're joining the workshop, considering our membership, or just seeking to connect, feel free to reach out. Let's leverage our strengths, support each other, and cultivate a community where everyone thrives.
Because genuine passion and dedication are often more valuable than decades of experience.
Talk soon, I’ll be in your inbox with more opportunities and shortcuts next week.
Lilli