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A place to find help, insights and clarity
Four lessons from nine years in business
By my calculations, I hit an important milestone in September of 2024. When I started The Balance Collective, I remember saying “I’d give it a year”. Following redundancy, I took a leap of faith – in the economy and myself – and decided to make The Balance Collective...
Book Review: StrengthsFinder 2.0 from Gallup
This month the book review is something a little different, but it's right up my street! In the world of The Balance Collective and the work that I do as a coach and wellbeing trainer, I like to shine a light on your strengths. It doesn’t matter if you are returning...
The Balance Collective Ask Me Anything – How much of “me” can I share in my CV?
Today I wanted to share the answer to a question that is asked regularly when I am working with people on their career plans. The issue of how much of your personal life you can share in your CV, application form or interview. Or even if you can share at all! We can...
How coaching can support your mental health
When I share testimonies on my social media, you will see clients talk about the new roles, perspectives, and insights that the experience has given them. You may also notice that there are lots of references to their feelings; and how these have moved them into a...
Five blogs to support flexible working
If you have been keeping up to date with National Work Life Week, you may have noticed people sharing their thoughts, inspirations, tips and reflections on flexible working. For 2024, the theme was discovering what flexible work means for different people across all...
Eight lessons to support your return to work
The transition can hit hard when you return to work after a break. You are often returning to a workplace that seems exceptionally familiar but also so different. There may be new team members or management to get to know, whilst you work out who you are after your...
Book Review: How to Feel Better by Ruth Kudzi
It may seem strange, a coach reviewing and recommending a book written by another coach. A book that provides you with “4 steps to self-coach your way to a happier, more authentic life.” And I can see your point! But, whilst I would love everyone to be able to work...
The Balance Collective Ask Me Anything – Signposting for financial and childcare information support
This week, it’s a bit of a different take on the AMA! As you may have seen on my socials, each month I ask for YOUR issues A question was asked on LinkedIn, about the new free child-care provision policy, and my immediate answer was “It’s not my expertise”. However,...
How can you support your career during stressful times in your life?
Our lives are not isolated; we cannot simply shut out the realities of a full and complex life. There are times when the challenges in our personal lives can become so overwhelming that they affect our ability to perform at work, whether as an employee or...
Is it time for a September Reset?
For many of us, September feels more like the start of a new year than January. In my recent Instagram poll, 84% of you agreed! So, in this week’s blog, I want to share some useful self-reflection points to help you kick off your new year on the right foot. I am...
Book Review: Fix the System, Not the Women by Laura Bates
As the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, Laura Bates is no stranger to tackling gender inequality head-on, and this book is no exception. “Fix the System, Not the Women”* is a hard-hitting and essential read, that confronts the realities of how women are...
The Balance Collective Ask Me Anything – What can coaching help me with?
In this month’s Ask Me Anything, I’ve gone right back to basics. Whilst the previous Q&As have created a library of fantastic resources for anyone looking to create a career to enjoy, today I am answering a question that underpins EVERYTHING I do. This is the one...
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.
Isn't it time to have career to enjoy not endure?
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