It was half-term in the UK this week - a week away from the laptop, whilst on holiday with my family.
Taking time off can be challenging when you’re self-employed anyway - not working = no income, the emails and enquiries still come in, and if you’ve not got next week lined up, it can be easy to be worried about money, whilst you’re spending cash on a lunch out or similar.
But for people with brains like ours (and yes, I’m going to massively generalise about most of the people reading this email - come at me in the comments if you disagree), the concept of ‘switching off from work’ probably doesn’t come easily either.
Most people I know who work in this field of “strategy” are huge consumers of information. We feast on books, magazines, journals, things we see, hear, eat, smell. Any trip to a new place is another source of new inspiration, ideas, prompts, provocations.
My notebook (physical, digital and mental) fills up when I’m on holiday. Partially because I’m not outputting, but mostly because there’s so much new stuff to trigger new thoughts.
In so many ways, it’s our job to be continually seeking new inputs.
So when we’re on a break, are we really away from work?
Or is the rest one from output, to input?
And the change in direction is something we benefit from?
Each week, I’ll try to profile one of our members, so you get to know each other better, and find folk you might want to connect to. Shout if you fancy having your face here.
Hi, I’m Will Worsdell.
I’ve been doing brand and marketing strategy client (Channel 4 and ITV) and agency (Lowe, Mediacom) side for about twenty years, including at my own agency (The Park).
My experience spans creative, brand, media, experiential and content- I love the variety! I’m now out fully on my own (as opposed to with business partners) combining coaching with strategy advisory work predominantly with independent agencies and founder-led businesses. (edited)
2024 for me was about exiting my previous agency and taking some time to work out my next move. By the end of the year I was working with some start-up agencies in a blended strat advisory/coaching capacity.
In 2025, I’m really keen to pursue work where I can combine my extensive experience as a strategist with my training as a coach. I love creating the environment for great thinking to happen collaboratively with the right questions, stimulus and energy. I’m less interested in “disappear for a week and return with the answer” strategy.
The other thing I’m loving at the moment is a passion project connecting with my childhood growing up above a pub. I’m exploring what you can learn from pubs about how to create spaces/environments for great things to happen, exploring the role of rituals, community, purpose, welcome etc. As part of this I’m interviewing other children of publicans. Fun.
Some things I’m reading/consuming/loving at the moment:
Reading - Belonging by Owen Eastwood. An amazing exploration of human beings innate need to belong and what that means for the formation of brilliant teams.
Loving - walking in nature. I’ve still not found anything that stimulates my thinking like a walk by the river. It gets the mind going and brings things together with an amazing clarity.
Listening - Life Changing with Dr Sian Williams. It’s an incredible radio/podcast series that tells stories that have faced/overcome the most unbelievable life experiences. Gives real perspective on the power and richness of the human psyche.
You can connect with Will on LinkedIn or via the Community.
What are you reading, thinking, seeing, feeling, doing? Post something in the chat to share, or in #curiositystream on the slack. Thanks to Joel, Ellie and Axel for sharing. I’d like to start sharing some of our work and side projects, or just something you want to share. Message me.
» Where to find thought leadership
» “Belief is what turns words and thoughts into something with teeth.”
Coffee from JumpYard in Nacka, Sweden. They let you top up your mug as much as you want. Hardly surprising I never sleep when I visit Stockholm.
Tell us where you’re sat, who you’re working with, what you’re drinking and thinking.
Every week, we share a list of roles found and shared via the the community. Some are directly from businesses who come directly to share their briefs with us. You can get these in real-time if you’re on whatsapp, telegram and slack.
Freelance Midweight Strategists (London,UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20252401-london.html
Freelance Brand Strategist (EST,USA)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250220-tomorrow.html
Freelance Growth Marketing Strategists (UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250220-growth.html
Midweight Strategist with FMCG packaging experience (Remote)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250220-fmcg.html
Open Call: freelance creative strategists (NY/LA,USA)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250220-complex.html
Open Call: Cultural Strategy (London,UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250219-planb.html
Freelance Brand Strategist (Bristol, UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250219-bristol.html
Audience Development Strategist (UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250219-audience.html
Midweight brand strategist, consumer tech (East London,UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250218-stink.html
Global Paid Digital Media Strategist (Remote,US)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250218-paidmedia.html
Open Call: Strategists (NYC, USA)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250218-open-call-coolr.html
freelance hybrid media strategist. (South Africa)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250218-media-sa.html
Freelance Senior Brand Strategist (UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250218-dusted.html
Freelance Data Strategist (London,UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250218-data.html
Creative strategist with paid social and ecommerce experience (remote)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250218-creative.html
Freelance Senior Strategists with football experience (Manchester, UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250218-craft-football.html
Open Call: Freelance Senior Strategists (USA)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250214-triptk.html
Freelance Brand Strategist with proven experience in the sports and/or fashion sectors (London,UK)
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20250214-nari.html
That’s all for this week.
mk ✌️
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