In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Tim Slade to explore his unique journey from a high school concession stand to a successful instructional design entrepreneur. Discover the secrets behind his transformation, the lessons learned from his unexpected career shifts, and his empowering advice on harnessing imposter syndrome as a superpower.

Tim Slade is an accomplished speaker, author, award-winning freelance eLearning designer, and creator of The eLearning Designer’s Academy. With over a decade and a half of experience in the industry, Tim transitioned from catching shoplifters to developing award-winning elearning courses. Having spent over a decade working to help others elevate their eLearning content, Tim has been recognized and awarded within the eLearning industry multiple times for his creative and innovative design aesthetics. Tim is also an international speaker, a recognized Articulate Super Hero, author of The eLearning Designer’s Handbook, and a dedicated freelancer who enjoys the freedom and creative control that comes with running his own business.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

Professional Development Ownership: Tim emphasizes the importance of owning your own professional development. Your career growth is your responsibility, and you should actively seek opportunities to advance yourself without relying solely on your employer.
Embracing Ambiguity and FITFO: Tim discusses the necessity of moving forward amidst ambiguity and using the "figure it the f*ck out" (FITFO) mindset. This approach is crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving success.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Tim reframes imposter syndrome as a continuous self-awareness of room for growth. While it's a common experience, recognizing it as a sign of a growth mindset can help individuals leverage it as a strength.
Corporate America Critique and Freelancing: Tim critiques the inefficiencies of corporate America and shares his preference for freelancing, highlighting the flexibility and control it offers over work and career trajectory.
Celebrating Small Wins and Community Support: Tim values the moments when learners in his eLearning Designers Academy discover new talents within themselves. He underscores the importance of having a community to celebrate these milestones together.

Todays guest, Tim Slade, can be found online at:

Website: https://www.elearningacademy.io/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sladetim/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2CE3YBPX53oeKVsiTbhX2w?sub_confirmation=1

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Tim Slade: from catching shoplifters to developing award-winning eLearning courses