One of our fellow Pruners raised this question a short while ago. One of the replies - can't remember who it was - said to imagine yourself inbound to an airfield with the weather closing in, vis dropping, raining, lowering cloud base - whatever. You'll be glad to hold an IMC and it may save your life. Consider it an intro to the IR and use your IMC skills in tandem with VFR hourbuilding. It will help with the IR and you'll feel ahead of the game.
Then again, JMHO.
Cheers
Kanga