Gloucestershire &amp; Worcestershire

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/2-13-1000x1000.jpg" alt="kate bishop coach" class="wp-image-63467" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/2-13-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/2-13-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/2-13-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/2-13-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/2-13-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/2-13.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The daily grind; we spend a bum-numbing 90,000 hours of our lives on average working. Tot it up and that works out as a third of the average person&#8217;s innings. But what if the thing that pays the bills is a daily struggle? 



Whether it&#8217;s a gnawing sense of imposter syndrome, a lack of confidence to speak up, or a deep-rooted yearning for a total career change, the good news is that there is something you can do about it.&nbsp;



Step forward fairy godmother of the grind, Kate from <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=muddy+glos+kate+boshop&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8">Kate Bishop Coaching</a>, an expert on helping brilliant but frustrated professionals rediscover their spark and regain confidence and own their working week.



Here are her 7 cornerstone tips for carving out a purposeful career and rolling out of bed in the morning with a whoop rather than a woe-is-me. Over to you Kate&#8230;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-craft-your-ideal-life">1. Craft Your Ideal Life</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/1-52-1000x667.jpg" alt="woman working at laptop
" class="wp-image-63469" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/1-52-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/1-52-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/1-52-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/1-52.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



I know it sounds dull, but having a plan is essential to being clear about what you really want and what is important in your career and in your life. Otherwise it will always be just a dream. This is where we start in coaching &#8211; what does your ideal life look like? Think about everything you want to do and what you want to be in your life now and in the future.&nbsp;When working through these questions my clients not only gain clarity but realise that this is achievable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-passionate-purpose">2. Passionate Purpose</h2>



This is essential when it comes to thriving at work. Having a purpose is absolutely key as we need to know our ‘why’, and that what we are doing has value . This is where coaching can help to dive deep and get to your core purpose. The 3 key questions you can ask yourself are:



<ol>
<li>What do you LOVE to do when it comes to work?</li>



<li>What are you really good at &#8211; exceptional even &#8211; in your working life? Think about what people always ask your help with.</li>



<li>Combine your answers from the above 2 questions and consider what you can now be paid to do which encompasses them.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-career-criteria">3. Career Criteria</h2>



Now you have your ideal life vision and have identified your purpose with work we move into the career space. Look at what is essential for you in your career to be happy.&nbsp;For example, flexibility for childcare, career progression, the team you work with, the environment, the core values of the organisation, the package you will get, recognition, and so on. Then ask yourself what are you willing to compromise on? Keep going back to this list.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-assess-to-improve">4. Assess to Improve</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/3-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="woman at work" class="wp-image-63499" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/3-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/3-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/3-6-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/08/3-6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Now it&#8217;s time to get real and see if your current role is living up to your expectations. Is it? It helps to score all of the areas on a scale of 1-10 (1 is low and 10 is high)&nbsp;Got your scores? How are they looking?&nbsp;



Now delve into what is in your control to change and improve with each of them. If you have very little control then it may be time to move on and make a change with your current job or even your career.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-express-your-value">5. Express Your Value</h2>



One of my favourite topics is confidence. Specifically, career confidence, so many clients feel like they struggle to be recognised and valued. Initially we work on identifying your value so that you can see it and believe it too. Then, we get stuck in to revealing their value to their colleagues, bosses &#8211; whoever needs to see it. From a simple weekly email to your line manager letting them know your wins that week, through to how to prepare for annual reviews and promotions, this is where we rebuild your confidence so you can get what you really deserve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-life-work-balance">6. Life Work Balance</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-18-1000x667.jpg" alt="women at work" class="wp-image-64190" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-18-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-18-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-18-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-18.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Yes, you read that correctly. Life work balance rather than work life balance, because your life comes first.&nbsp;I made this mistake twice in a past career, resulting in burnout and depression. Many of my clients have experienced something similar or fear they are about to.



Setting your ideal working hours and your boundaries is the easy part, sticking to them is where it gets tough. It helps to have these written out along with a few polite stock responses for when demands get too much. Remind your colleagues and boss of your boundaries and ensure your out-of-office explains these too.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-build-resilience-pillars">7. Build Resilience Pillars</h2>



These are our support pillars we work on outside of our working life to keep us strong yet flexible when change happens. Do a quick audit of your pillars:



Sleep &#8211; are you getting enough? If not tweak your bedtime routine.



Nutrition &#8211; eating a healthy, balanced diet is not always possible but definitely can be aimed for. Don’t forget hydration too &#8211; preferably water over gin.



Exercise &#8211; love it or hate it, most of us don’t do enough. A daily walk, class or adding more movement into our day is highly beneficial.



Nature &#8211; we are lucky to live in the Cotswold countryside and I have to admit I sometimes take it for granted. However, my daily stomp always grounds and refreshes me and helps me untangle thorny issues in my head.



Fun &#8211; doing things you enjoy is paramount to happiness &#8211; even if it is only an hour a week carve out time for yourself.



Support &#8211; often we over-give, so remember to fill up your own tank. Therapy, coaching, a good cry on a friend’s shoulder &#8211; it&#8217;s not selfish, it is just self care.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="968" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-19-968x1000.jpg" alt="kate bishop coach" class="wp-image-64192" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-19-968x1000.jpg 968w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-19-774x800.jpg 774w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-19-387x400.jpg 387w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-19-1486x1536.jpg 1486w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/1-19.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 968px) 100vw, 968px" /></figure>



For help with your career or life dilemma, head to <a href="https://www.kate-bishop.co.uk">Kate Bishop Coaching</a>. Kate specialises in Bespoke Career Confidence Coaching, Career Change Coaching (including CV and interview advice) and Expert Masterclasses (a selection of power-up workshops to boost your confidence).



Credit: Images / Kate Bishop &#8211; Jenny Stewart

How to find happiness at work: 7 nuggets of advice from a top career coach

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