The biggest surprise being an independent consultant is that you have to manage your own identity. I've written about this challenge before - the idea that you have to write your own narrative. There are no pay rises, no promotions, no awards, no gold watches. LinkedIn doesn't even know what to do with people who are self employed ("Congratulate Tom Critchlow on 7 years as a Freelance Strategy Consultant at tomcritchlow.com!").
The trick of course is not to rebuild the scaffolding and security of "the system" by forming a stable identity, but rather to whirl, tumble and surf on the edge of chaos - by rejecting formalized labels, by playing with your sense of self, by wearing masks, by never taking yourself too seriously.
The process of becoming is never ending.
A mockup of the cover for my book, the homepage of my website, the SEO MBA landing page. These are all pieces of the surface area for my identity - though certainly not the entirety. These are all slivers of a multi-faceted mirror.
Since I last sent out an email to this list:
- I've crossed the 7 year mark for being an independent consultant. I wrote up a long reflection piece here: 7 years on the road.
- I launched the SEO MBA course - teaching business, leadership and consulting skills to SEO professionals
But... is that what I want to be doing?
Some reflections from launching the course and dipping my toe in the creator economy:
- It's not "passive income" - I can see how I could replace my consulting revenue with course revenue but I think it would take about the same level of work.
- It actually requires consulting skills. The ability to negotiate deals, create contracts and structure custom training programs are all key skills that life in the consultant economy has taught me.
- It's very narrative driven, just like consulting - you have to find a position and label that fits not just what you feel comfortable with but what your audience can understand.
So... where to in 2022? I don't think I'm winding down my consulting work, or retiring the label of independent consultant. But with new courses and books to written.... who knows.
Maybe there's a treasure map to follow? Or faint tracks in the snow? Perhaps there is only a feeling buried in the gut.
For independents there are so many paths to follow and so few clear signposts. That's why I've been collecting yearly reflections, yearly recaps and such from independent types in this twitter thread.
Some links:
Maybe there's a treasure map to follow? Or faint tracks in the snow? Perhaps there is only a feeling buried in the gut.
For independents there are so many paths to follow and so few clear signposts. That's why I've been collecting yearly reflections, yearly recaps and such from independent types in this twitter thread.
Some links:
- I've given my personal site a quick reskin. Still work in progress but check it out: tomcritchlow.com. In particular I'm trying out a new notes section hosted on Microblog for faster/looser writing and link posting. It's early days but I'm enjoying it so far.
- In case you were worried about my focus on consulting - if anything my focus on consulting is only going deeper. I read some academic papers about consulting and this was an absolute banger: "post-bureaucratic agents of change"...!
- This new microgrants program sounds very exciting (small new economic models!) but it's also just a great piece of writing reflecting on motivation, agency and intention: mothminds.com
- My partner Erin has art prints and copies of her book available to ship - perfect holiday gifts for loved ones, especially little ones: Erin's Etsy Page
As ever this time of year, my favourite music mix is Deep and Crisp and Even a winter solstice mix by Pete Lawrence.
May the winds of change blow you off your feet and into new realities and new perspectives.
What do you think 2022 will change for you?
Much love,
Tom
May the winds of change blow you off your feet and into new realities and new perspectives.
What do you think 2022 will change for you?
Much love,
Tom