I believe that everyone can have a career they enjoy. Work shouldn’t be something to merely endure; it’s a sentiment you’ll see echoed throughout my coaching philosophy. This conviction has been a long-standing one, predating my coaching career. During my time in recruitment, I was committed to matching the right person with the right company, rather than simply filling seats. Later, in the Higher Education sector, I delved deeper into students’ and graduates’ mindsets, supporting them on their journeys. All these experiences have collected into what you see now: as a Coach, Mentor and Trainer, I go beyond what some might expect when supporting people to return to work, change careers, achieve better balance, and develop their confidence. Today, I’d like to explain more about my coaching approach and how it helps you create a career to enjoy.
I’ve previously explored why I believe everyone deserves an enjoyable career and why it’s a personal concept that differs from person to person. You may have worked through my self-coaching blog and reflected on what this phrase means to you. However, today I want to highlight the key elements of my coaching approach and how they help you create your version of a career to enjoy.
It’s not uncommon for people in the coaching and personal development space to impose or project their version of success onto you. This can lead you down a path that, at best, isn’t sustainable and, at worst, is damaging. You may have had a similar experience and might be wary about re-entering the world of coaching. I hope my transparency will encourage you to revisit this wonderful world of self-reflection and accountability!
So, back to the subject at hand. What is it about my coaching that helps people create a career to enjoy? Imagine a room full of filing cabinets; that’s my brain. It’s brimming with resources, tools, and techniques that, during our time together, can help you create a career to enjoy. While you may not feel or see the structure, trust me, it exists!
By the end of our time together, we will have worked on:
- Your Values
Not just what’s important to you, but how they manifest in your life. You’ll also identify what you don’t want, helping you make and stick to decisions over time.
- Your Strengths
My approach is rooted in the belief that no one needs to be “fixed” – we just need to build our self-awareness and understand what we’re good at, and how we can craft a work and life environment that supports our wellbeing first.
- Unpacking Your Expectations
Outlooks about work, relationships, status, health, and wellbeing are built over decades. My coaching approach encourages you to challenge these expectations, first when we look at your values, and then consistently throughout our time together.
- Separating External Systems from What You Can Influence
From capitalism to gender expectations, these threads run through all our lives. I’m proudly an anti-capitalist and feminist coach (more on this in future blogs). Simply put, this means I help my clients rewrite their success measures based on what matters to them, whilst not avoiding the very real challenges many of us face navigating systems designed to hold us back.
- Empowering Through Knowledge
I have no desire to be “your guru”. I want clients to understand more about themselves and the world they move through. So, during our coaching, when relevant and with permission, I’ll share theories, relevant updates to science and, when relevant, the work of other experts, so that the learnings you gain in our sessions can be deepened. Most commonly, this is through a book title or a podcast!
If you’ve ever wondered how coaching can lead to creating a career to enjoy, I hope this has given you more insight. When I work with a client, I believe that you have all the awareness and knowledge locked away within you. My job is to help guide it out. But, I hope, with the extra flourishes in my approach, coaching practice, and my own personal development, you leave with higher hopes for your personal and professional life.
All of this, very simply, leads to a career to enjoy, not endure.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your coaching journey, then reach out at hello@thebalancecollective.co.uk. If you can’t wait, then book a time slot here, and I will call you.
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
