Are you feeling the mid-career itch?

According to research, 31 is the average age that workers look to change careers.

A survey of over 5000 workers found that employees around this age are much more likely to consider a change of role or even industry. This is because they've been in work for over a decade by this point.

The top reasons cited were better earnings (33%), wanting a role they're more passionate about (31%) and better work/life balance (19%).

In my coaching practice, I speak to clients all the time who are feeling motivated to change careers because of a landmark birthday or significant life event. Their 30th, 40th or 50th birthday may be approaching or has passed, or they are thinking of starting a family, or they are on maternity leave and planning a return to work.

Some have taken a much longer break out of their careers to care for their kids or older parents, and now want to finally reclaim their professional selves. But so much time has passed since they were last in work that they need some help figuring out who they are now, what they want from their careers and how to re-enter the workforce.

Going forward, I want to really focus on the thrills and challenges of making a midlife career change. After all, I went through one myself and have never looked back, but I do remember how scary it was when I first starting thinking about it.

I'm going to be sharing lots more written posts on this topic via my newsletter, as well useful links, book and podcast recommendations, and Q&A's with clients who have made a midlife career change themselves, to give you inspiration and encouragement that you can do it to!

Am really looking forward to getting stuck into, sharing lots more conversation with you and helping you navigate this tricky but exciting change.

If you haven't already, just sign up to my newsletter here.

What's it like to have online coaching with me?

Sometimes I get asked why I don't do in-person coaching, so I thought I would run through some of the benefits of online coaching compared to face to face.

I work 100% online with clients and always have done since I started coaching 7 years ago. In fact, my clients are based all over the UK, and they LOVE the fact that we can connect no matter where they live and from the comfort of their own homes or offices. I do get asked from time to time if I offer in-person coaching as well, but online has always worked brilliantly for my clients and here’s a few reasons why I’m deciding to stick with it:

1. Convenience

You don’t have to spend time travelling to a hired room somewhere miles from your home or office.

You can dial in for a session from wherever you are, whether that’s from your bedroom or kitchen, a meeting room in your office at lunchtime, or even when you’re travelling abroad.

2. Flexibility

By working with a coach online, you have much greater choice over who is the best fit for you and who you click with. You’re not limited by the availability of local coaches in your immediate area.

I know you are a busy woman juggling lots of different things in your life. I like to make arranging a video call as flexible and convenient as possible, so I use a simple online booking calendar which allows you to see my availability, choose a day/time which suits you, sends you an appointment reminder with the video call link and also allows you to easily re-arrange if necessary (with 24hrs notice).

3. Familiarity

Many of us are used to talking to friends, family or colleagues online, and so working with a coach online isn’t any different in terms of the technology. Currently I use Google Meet for my coaching sessions.

As your Coach, I have extensive training in how to use active listening skills to deeply and empathetically understand the issues you’re dealing with, even when we’re on a video call. In fact many clients tell me that they find it easier to open up when we work online, because they are in their own environment with maximum comfort and privacy.

4. Cost

I don’t have to pass on expensive room hire fees or my travel costs to the cost of my coaching sessions, which saves you money!

Sound interesting?

Just click here to learn more about my coaching programme or book a free 15min career breakthrough call.

You can also watch a little video here that I did on Insta of me chatting on a coaching call and also read some feedback from happy clients 😊

What a BBC newsreader can teach us about meaningful work

I was really touched and saddened yesterday by the news of BBC journalist George Alagiah's death from bowel cancer at the age of 67.

What really struck me about the tone of the coverage on the six o'clock news, was how affectionate and respectful his colleagues were. Phrases like 'radiated warmth', 'adored and admired by the team', 'outstanding journalist' and 'wonderful human being' were peppered throughout the report, and you could see the emotion on Sophie Raworth's face who had been his close colleague and friend for over 20 years. She had named her daughter, Georgia, after him.

These kinds of phrases are usually reserved for close friends and family when describing their loved one who has gone, but it really struck me that he had made such an impression in his workplace and left a lasting legacy behind. Not just a legacy of journalism awards, impressive interviews (Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu amongst many others) and bestselling books, but having made a profound, positive impact on the people he worked with and those he met whilst out reporting. He himself said that work invigorated him, and gave him a focus during countless rounds of chemotherapy. He always wanted to get back to the newsroom.

I think this is so moving to me because it shows what a profound impact you can make through your work. Just through kindness. And wanting to make a difference. It's not your status that people remember. It's how you made them feel. Rest in peace George. You are an inspiration.

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou