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A place to find help, insights and clarity
How your life experiences can change your values
If I were to ask you what your number one value is, do you think you could answer? It's something that, as a coach, I spend a lot of time thinking about and encouraging my clients to do the same. But, for most people, it’s not something you consider day to day. Most...
The four questions employers need to ask their team
Let me ask you a couple of quick questions before we get started. Do you feel like your workplace has a positive influence on your well-being? Do you think your colleagues understand the responsibilities you have outside of the day job? How you answer this is key to...
Why every employer needs a Parent and Carer Group
Over the ten years of The Balance Collective, I’ve had many opportunities to speak at employers and industry Parent and Carer Groups. To share a range of topics around careers, balance, confidence and returning to work. Sometimes, there isn’t a Parent & Carer...
October Plans – Books, Awareness Days and Services Updates from The Balance Collective
“Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.” - Chad Sugg As we move into October, I feel that things are returning to a gentler rhythm. The new school year is more settled, and I'm finally pulling out the winter jumpers!...
Book Review: Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
I don’t think my to-read list will ever end, but I am very aware that the list can end up looking the same. My natural preference is for books filled to the brim with logic and science, but the reality is that sometimes we need to look outside of our own preferences...
Employment law changes ALL parents need to be aware of
This week, thanks to a range of campaigners, industry bodies and a small group of forward-thinking MPs, we see some major changes to employment law, that YOU need to know about. When you are considering returning to work, your next job role, or the needs of your...
The best free return to work resources for parents – updated for 2025!
OK, so maybe the title is a bit of a tall claim, but if I can’t shout about what I do, who else will! In a world where you can risk information overload through a simple internet search, I wanted to present to you this week a whistle-stop tour of the blogs you need...
September Plans – Three things you need to know from The Balance Collective
“Come September, children return to school, grownups to work, and the brain to the head.” Roger Rosenblatt It's the last days of the summer holidays for us, so my time is split between the last moments of relaxation and desperately finding uniform that fits! I hope...
August Plans – Four things you need to know from The Balance Collective
August is the border between summer and autumn: it is the most beautiful month I know. - Tove Jansson I'm looking forward to some lovely birthday celebrations, a visit from my sibling, a family holiday and some downtime! Even with all of that planned, there are still...
The confidence toolkit from The Balance Collective
I've been writing articles for my blog for ten years. My first blog was published on the 19th August, 2015! By my calculations, that must be over 320 thousand words of reflections, tools, insights, and book reviews, with a and a sprinkling of guest blogs. Whilst...
Book Review: The Confidence Code by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman
The Confidence Code (the science and art of self-assurance – what women should know)* was added to my to-read list following a recommendation. I seem to have a natural resistance to books about “fixing” confidence for women. I think the hesitancy is from years of...
Seven easy ways to build your confidence
I've been speaking with many people about confidence recently. It arises in every aspect of life, both personal and professional. It's one that, since I began my time in personal development and skills, has always been there. Either people feel like they want or need...
About
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.
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