We are all affected by the pressure and stress of what I would call ‘head clutter’ – the confusion and muddle in our heads akin to an overgrown jungle that comes from having too many things to think about and no idea where to start. It can lead to procrastination, frustration and that uncomfortable sense of not being able to see the proverbial wood for the trees.

Luckily, there are a few techniques that can help you remove all that head clutter and free your thoughts so that you can move forward with a sense of clarity and purpose. Here are four to get you started.

Tip 1: Think long-term

Your long-term objectives don’t have to be complicated or big. Put your mental clutter to one side for a moment, then decide on a date, say 20 December, and think about what – if everything went your way – you would like to have achieved by that date. Maybe it is to get promoted, maybe it is to leave your job and pursue a long-held dream, maybe it is to have saved enough money to go on a well-deserved holiday, or maybe it is simply to finish the year satisfied and happy with what you have achieved. Spend five minutes visualising what achieving those objectives would feel like, and keep this in mind, so that whenever you feel the overwhelm return, you have something to keep you focused and motivated.

Tip 2: De-clutter your surroundings

It is amazing how a cluttered environment can lead to a sense of mental clutter. I find that any time I feel stressed or bogged down, the easiest way for me to clear my head is to have a complete clear-out of my office or living space. The time you invest in de-cluttering your environment will pay for itself over many times in terms of your ability to think straight and get things done. Take however long you need to go through your drawers and throw out papers and other stuff you no longer need. Not only will you get rid of old junk, you will also have a clearer idea of where your belongings and papers are and what’s important.

Tip 3: Off-load!

This is an easy and very liberating exercise. I use it whenever I feel overwhelmed. Take a piece of paper (or more if necessary!) and simply write down every single thing you have ‘to do’ or want to achieve in the next month. Off-load as quickly as you can, and don’t stop until you have freed your mind of absolutely every cluttering thought. Once you have everything down on paper, organise your thoughts into categories such as ‘work’, ‘home’, ’friends and family’, and so on and so forth. Also include a category for your ‘goals’. Take a calendar or simply use a piece of paper, and decide what has to be done this week, and on which day, and what can wait until next week or even next month. By breaking your thoughts up into manageable chunks and prioritising, you will feel an immediate sense of freedom and relief.

Tip 4: Focus on just ONE action

If your ultimate objective is to devote two more hours a day to exercise or to spending time with friends or family, then take a few minutes to identify the ONE thing that you will do this week to take you closer to that goal. Make it easy for yourself: forget about everything else and decide on a week-by-week plan for making that one goal a reality. Maybe all you will do is leave work early one evening this week and head to the gym. Maybe you could ring that friend you haven’t spoken to for months and chat. By deciding to do just one thing, you will immediately relieve some of the pressure on yourself and find a renewed sense of clarity and direction.

There you have it – set aside a few hours today to take these four steps and clear your mind of that clutter ready for a relaxed week ahead!

Given that most people spend a third of their waking hours at work, you’d think that it’d be extremely important to get a job doing something that we enjoy. And yet studies show that the vast majority of us are in jobs that we hate. Why is that the case? After all, the world of work has radically changed over recent years, bringing with it not just uncertainty, but also enormous opportunity. Increasingly, savvy professionals are regaining control over their personal and professional happiness, and are setting out to design a career that is both meaningful and rewarding AND which fits in around their ideal lifestyle.

But how do you know if you are just a bit bored, or if you really are in the wrong job? Read on to find out.

1. You’d change jobs in a flash if it weren’t for the money

So you hate your job but think you can’t afford to leave? This is a natural concern, and one of the most common reasons stopping those I speak to from taking the plunge and leaving a job that is making them utterly miserable. But ask yourself honestly – is the salary you earn really worth the impact your job is having on your health, your family and your happiness? The truth is that most people increase their spending to match what they earn, whether it is £30,000 or £300,000. What do you choose to spend your money on? Can you really not afford to leave your job, or is money simply an excuse for not having the courage to up and leave?

2. You’d change jobs tomorrow if you knew what else you could do

This is a really good sign that you shouldn’t be there. I know exactly what it’s like to want desperately to leave your job, but to put it off until next month or even year because you have no idea what else you could do. Don’t let this keep you in a job you hate – deciding what to do next is straighforward with professional support, and you’ll have fun doing it! Rather than waste the next two years trying to figure out what else you could do, invest in a good coach who will help you do this in a fraction of the time. With a clear idea of what you’d really love to do, you’ll suddenly find you have the vision, energy and drive to make it happen.

3. You spend Sundays dreading Monday mornings

We’ve all been there – waking up on Sunday in anticipated dread of yet another stressful and unfulfilling week ahead. Even the thought of having to wake up early to put in a mindless week’s work can put a real downer on your weekend. It doesn’t need to be this way. Imagine what it would be like to enjoy every minute of your Sunday in eager anticipation of Monday morning and in the knowledge that you will be spending the week doing something that you are passionate about and that makes a real difference to the world. And yes, not only is this possible, it’s actually relatively easy once you know how to make it happen.

4. You hate your boss with a passion

Not getting on with your boss is the number one reason so many people give for wanting out. Given how much time we spend at work, having a great boss that makes you feel good about your skills and who values your contribution is essential. A boss who insults or bullies you, or who shows no interest in what makes you feel valued, can turn a once happy and dedicated employee into one who can’t stand even setting foot in the office. If your workplace has become toxic because of a bad boss or negative colleagues, then seriously consider your options. No amount of money or job status is worth a poisonous working environment.

5. Your job has turned you into someone you don’t even recognise

Do you feel like your job has turned you into someone else? Has your creativity, drive and passion been so crushed by job stress, negativity and small-mindedness among colleagues that you don’t even know who you are anymore? It can be incredibly easy to allow workplace negativity and office culture to become such a part of us that we end up losing all sense of who we are and what makes us stand out. If you have become someone you no longer recognise, or worse, you don’t like what you have become, then it is a sure sign that you need to get out.

6. Your work is ruining your health

Stress, boredom, toxic work environments, negativity among colleagues and pressure from your boss – all of these can turn what could have been a great job into a job from hell. Headaches, anxiety, insomnia, depression and anger can all be caused by a soul-destroying job and are probably one of the clearest signs that you need to stop making excuses and say ‘enough is enough’. Having the courage to turn your back on a job that is destroying your health is one of the best things you can do, and you will be amazed at how every aspect of your health improves  once that weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

7. No amount of money would make you happy

This is the surest sign of all that your job is simply not worth the sacrifice and pain of staying where you are. Society has wrongly taught us that work is something to be suffered and endured, and we often feel that the more we hate our job, the more we deserve to be paid. When, in my previous job, it dawned on me that no amount of money would make me want to continue to work for the organisation in question, it was a life-changing moment. From then on, I knew that something had to change, and that I had to make it happen. That realisation alone gave me the courage to overcome my fear of leaving a secure job for the great unknown and to do whatever it took to find work doing something that would make me happy. Staying in a job that makes you so miserable that even a pay rise wouldn’t do it for you is the biggest sign of all that you are in the wrong place.

If you are in a job that is reducing you to tears, then don’t despair, do something about it. There are countless inspirational people out there who’ve already made a huge success of their own career change, and some great excellent coaches who will help you break free from a job you hate, work out what it is you really want to do with your life, and land your own dream career.

Calling all mothers, wives and career women – are you suffering from Superwoman Syndrome?
by Emmajane Taylor-Moran and Jane Manville

Striving for, if not always achieving, a work/life balance is important for many employees, but particularly for women who have childcaring responsibilities. A ‘superwoman’ strives for success in all areas of her life, managing multiple roles as a professional, wife, mother and friend. The phrase was coined by Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz, in her book The Superwoman Syndrome. We try so hard to fulfil our various roles, but why is it so fraught with difficulties?

It is society and ourselves that are Superwoman’s Kryptonite. Never before has there been such a unique pressure placed on women to be equally perfect in every role they undertake. This can be extremely stressful as our loyalties and emotions are pulled in different directions. A superwoman must often fight the demands of insensitive employers, inadequate childcare resources, the needs of our families and the inevitable and frequent requirement to be in two places at once.

Of course it is not just women who are affected by this syndrome, but husbands and children too, making it all the more important to take control.

Whether your motivation for being a superwoman is wanting to feel accomplished or achieving financial security, striving for perfection or having a tendency towards people-pleasing, it doesn’t have to be this way! Employers must recognise the part they need to play in facilitating and supporting women achievers in the workforce, and in aiming towards a level playing field in equality of opportunity.

As an employee, you have more legal rights than you may be aware of. The law has changed in recent years to give women more access to that work/life balance that we so desire.

If you are a working mother, or a mother who is thinking of going back to work but are unsure of your employment rights, contact the Employment Team at Gelbergs 020 7226 0570 and ask for Emmajane Taylor-Moran or Jane Manville.

Gelbergs Solicitors is based in Islington, London N1 and offers comprehensive legal advice on employment law issues. We would be happy to hear from any employees who are facing difficulties arising from flexible working, time off to care for children, returning from maternity leave, paternity leave or adoption leave, part-time working, or who feel they are being treated differently to members of the opposite sex in the workplace, including being paid less for the same or similar job.

Our website can be found at www.gelbergs.co.uk and twitter at @gelbergs.

Have you always wanted to start a business doing what you love? Do you dream of packing up your laptop and working from anywhere in the world? Have you always wanted to make 6 or 7 figures, but right now you’re struggling to just get by?

The truth is that you CAN start a business, based on what you already know, what you’re good at, and what you love.

Thanks to the internet, social media and all these online tools, there has never been a better time than now to profit online. The trick is learning how to package your knowledge, talents and expertise into products and services that people actually need and will pay you for.

You don’t need to struggle to build an online business, if you have access to the right tools, the best resources, know-how and, most of all quality coaching.

Two of my colleagues, Natalie MacNeil and Natalie Sisson, want to ensure that you don’t miss out on sharing your gifts with the world. They’ve built successful 6-figure businesses online, doing what they love, all while travelling the world and having fun. They’re revealing why there is no better time than now for you to do the same. I truly believe they’re right and I don’t want you to miss out on their free video series showing you why.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH their free video training series now.

There are many reasons why you should turn your back on a job that you dislike and create a career that gets you inspired and excited. Many people, however, wrongly believe that landing their dream job is not just unrealistic, it is also a bit self-indulgent. If you are someone who thinks, “Who am I to aspire to a dream job when so many people are in jobs they hate – or out of work completely?”, in this article, I’d like to show you that, far from being a selfish, indulgent act, finding what you love and getting paid to do it is actually incredibly generous. Here are three great reasons why.

You’re much nicer to be around

If you’ve got something exciting in your life that you are passionate about, it makes you happy! You feel more alive. You have more energy, more drive and more enthusiasm. You wake up in the morning ready to jump out of bed and take on the world. And the truth is that we all love to be around people who love life. We can all think of inspirational people who are great to be around because they are living their lives to the full. Similarly, we all know people who spend their days moaning and complaining about their jobs. Who would you rather be around? Unfortunately, the society that we live in tends to be negative and limiting, and it is sadly rare to find people who love their work. When was the last time you got home in the evening and said to your partner or family, “I had a fantastic day today!”? You actually owe it to yourself, your family your friends to enjoy your job for the simple reason that you will be a much more enjoyable person to be around.

You inspire others

Another reason to aspire to and then go about creating your dream career is that by doing so, you serve as a role model, inspiring others to reach for their own goals and dreams. You motivate them to be the person that they want to be, to fulfil their potential and inject a bit more excitement and fun into their own life. When you are in a job that bores you mindless and saps your energy and enthusiasm, you inspire nobody. Quite the opposite, we all know what a drain it is to be around negative, uninspired people. Is that what you want for yourself or those you love?

You’ll be a greater asset to your team or customers

Employers spend thousands of pounds recruiting who they hope will be the very best person for the job, which obviously means someone who will be a long-term asset to the company. When you love your work, and use the skills and strengths that come naturally to you, you will be more productive and get things done more quickly and effectively. No employer wants to employ someone who’s in it just for the money – they are looking for someone who will contribute not only with their skills and talents but also with their positive attitude. By applying for jobs that focus on your talents and strengths, your confidence and passion will help you stand out from the crowd, create value, and get ahead. Likewise, if you have your own business or are thinking of starting one up, your natural enthusiasm for what you do will help you be of genuine service to your customers. And that in turn will serve as a magnet for attracting clients and increase your chances of success!

As you can see, setting yourself the goal of achieving your dream job will not only improve your own life, it will also have an enormously positive impact on those around you, including the people you love. What better reason is there to get out of a job that is making you miserable and have the courage to follow your dreams?

For some reason, I have always had a natural ability to challenge even my biggest fears. I remember when I was 18, I landed myself a job as a tour guide at the historic house in my home town of Dunedin, New Zealand, with the claim that I could take tours in French and German. Having learned French from a young age and speaking it already reasonably fluently, I was pretty confident in my ability to show French-speaking visitors around. But with just a few years of German behind me, with no knowledge of vocabulary related to turn-of-the-century furniture or the workings of a pantry, my ability to lead a one-hour tour in German was seriously limited.

Strangely, I had assumed that my place of employment would have a pack of materials and information in German ready to go, but no! I had not only to learn everything in English but then also to translate it all myself into German. What had I done? Was I mad? I remember all too well the fear I felt, as I toyed with the very real prospect of having to go back to my new employer and admitting that it was all a big mistake, that I was really a fraud and that I would have to resign.

But then of course, the part of me that loves a challenge kicked in, and I had to admit that I would regret it my whole life if I didn’t go for it. Not to mention the wounded pride! And so I set about doing whatever it took to prepare myself. I still remember my very first tour in German. I don’t think I had ever felt so petrified in my entire life. But the feeling of achievement once it was over and I had survived (and even earned a tip from a grateful member of the group!) was immense. I think that was probably the point when I realised that life was all about recognising fears for what they are – a sign of an exciting challenge ahead – and tackling them head on.

It was this experience that I was reminded of when I knew that the time had come for me to leave my job as a staff interpreter in Brussels. Although I loved the job itself, my values and those of the company clashed, and I was desperately unhappy. I was scared to leave behind a regular income and had no idea how I was going to make my new venture work, but had finally come to realise that the pain of staying and doing nothing was greater than the fear of change. And taking that risk has of course now paid off more than I could have ever imagined.

We all experience fears and doubts in the pursuit of our dreams (in this case, dream job!). In my work with clients, these are the most common:

1. You’re scared to leave a safe and secure job with a regular income in favour of the great unknown

2. You hate your job, but don’t know what else you could do and don’t have the confidence to just up and leave

3. You have a secret dream but are afraid of failing

4. You have a secret dream but are afraid of what actually succeeding will mean

5. You know you could achieve your dream but secretly worry what friends and family will think

5. You are scared of the massive journey of self-discovery that you will have to go through by making a complete career change

The good thing is that all of these fears are completely normal; but most importantly, they can easily be overcome if you know how. But you have to be willing to take the first step, and that is of course scary in itself!

Of course some fears should be listened to. It can be unwise to take a massive risk to change careers simply on a whim or without a certain degree of thought. So what is the trick? How do you know when a risk is worth taking or not?

When you think about the step you are afraid to take, simply ask yourself the following questions: do I feel secretly excited at the thought? Does my body expand when I think about it? Is it something I feel jealous of others achieving? Being aware of these questions will always give you the answer you are looking for. An idea that causes you to feel stressed at the very thought of it is clearly one that isn’t the right choice for you. If you truly are afraid to to do something, this will show in your feelings and in your posture. No matter how hard you try to make the idea happen, you will be doomed to failure. On the other hand, an idea that consumes your thoughts because it secretly excites you (even if it scares the bejeebies out of you!) is one that you should absolutely go for!

Over the last two and a half years it has been impossible to ignore the fact that Britain has been part of a worldwide recession. Failing businesses on all scales have caused the inevitable cut-backs, and redundancies have been all too common. But what does this actually mean for employees and what are your rights?

What is a redundancy?

This is when you are losing your job because your post is no longer needed. In law, a genuine redundancy situation is where:

1. A business closes down

2. A workplace closes, or

3. There is less need for employees to carry out specific work (either across the business or in aspecific location).

My job is at risk of redundancy, so now what happens?

In addition to a genuine reason, an employer must have followed a fair and proper procedure. Firstly, the employer must warn those who are at risk of redundancy. The employer must then consult with you on why the redundancy is being considered, together with any alternatives to losing your job. This is where you get a chance to have your say and make suggestions to avoid redundancy, such as reducing your hours, relocating or taking a pay cut, for example. You should try and think of other options that you want your employer to consider, and discuss these with them.

The rules are slightly different if you are part of a ‘collective’ redundancy where there are 20 or more redundancies planned in 90 days. Here Trade Union or employee representatives are elected and the employer consults with them rather than with individuals. If this is not carried out properly, a tribunal can order a ‘protective award’ to be paid to those employees affected.

Following consultation, your employer will then select a ‘pool’ of employees for redundancy. For example, this could be all employees at a particular branch or all Sales Managers. There can sometimes be a pool of just one employee if their role and location is unique, but this is not very common. Those in the pool will be compared to each other using a set of criteria, and your employer will apply scores, and those at the lower end will be selected for redundancy. Ideally, your employerwill have consulted with you about what criteria will be used, and will set fair and objective criteria to measure everyone against.

If it is decided that you are selected for redundancy, then your employer must offer you suitable alternative employment, if it is available. This is a bit of a minefield, because if you turn down an alternative role and it was not reasonable to do so, you may forfeit your entitlement to your redundancy payment. You are also entitled to 4 weeks trial in the new role to see if it suits. There are special rules for people on maternity or paternity leave, who have first preference on any suitable available jobs with the employer.

You might be offered a voluntary or an enhanced redundancy package, and if so your employer will probably require you to sign a compromise agreement waiving your rights to sue them in return for the increased financial package. You will need to seek advice from an independent legal adviser, such as a solicitor to ensure that the agreement is binding.

I don’t agree that my position was actually redundant and /or my employer did not follow a fair procedure – What claims can I bring in the Employment Tribunal?

You can bring a claim for Unfair Dismissal in the Employment Tribunal, but you must do so within three months less one day from your date of dismissal. It is a good idea to talk to your colleagues and find out what they are doing, and if possible join your claims together.

Making a claim can be tricky and it is advisable to seek legal advice. Check your home contents insurance policy to see if you have legal expenses insurance to cover the cost of this.

Redundancy can be a very stressful process, particularly since you have little control over the outcome, and your livelihood is at risk. It usually helps if you are looking for a new job or venture at the same time as you can focus on being positive and working towards achieving your goals. This puts some of the control back in your life. Furthermore, if you do bring a tribunal claim, you are expected to reduce your loss of earnings as much as you can by finding alternative work.

Gelbergs Solicitors is based in Islington, London N1, and offers comprehensive legal advice to employees. We would be happy to hear from any employees who are facing redundancy, have recently been made redundant, or who have been offered a compromise agreement.

Call us on 020 7226 0570 and ask for Emmajane Taylor-Moran or Jane Manville. Our website can be found at www.gelbergs.co.uk and twitter at @gelbergs.

This week I have been reading A book about innocent, by the founders of the company that makes smoothies and healthy veg pots. It’s a great read and tells the story of how, in 1999, three friends gave up successful, highly-paid corporate jobs to pursue their dream of running their own business, despite the fact that they had no experience or even any idea of how to make it happen. These guys are incredibly inspirational and a brilliant reminder of exactly what is possible if you believe in your dream and never give in. (Incidentally, I would LOVE to interview them for next year’s Dream Career Telesummit – so watch this space!)

In one chapter they talk about why having a clear purpose is so important to the success of any business – the difference between high-performing organisations and those that fail being that the successful ones have asked themselves the all-important questions ‘why are we here?’ and ‘what are we here to do?’.

Of course having a purpose doesn’t just help if you are a business. I personally believe that those who are happiest and most successful in their lives are those that have a clear idea in their minds of what it is they are here to achieve or do. Having a clear purpose instantly puts you on track and frees you up, meaning that you can cut out all the stuff that is no longer serving you – a mindless job, unhappy relationships, unnecessary stress etc.

Working out your true purpose is not easy – I thought I knew what the purpose of my own business was until I decided to re-evaluate it yesterday. In the end it took me a couple of hours to finally pin it down – the reason I started Get a Job You Love was simply to make a difference to as many people’s lives as possible, and that I could do so by helping my clients achieve their dreams and get paid to do something they really enjoy. Knowing my purpose makes everything I do in my business, from getting the word out to creating great products, so much easier.

So here’s this week’s challenge – what is your life purpose? Here are a couple of questions to help you get started.

1. If you knew you only had six months left to live, would you be doing what you are doing now?
2. If not, what would you be doing with your life?
3. How do you want to be remembered by your family and friends?
4. What legacy do you want to leave behind?
5. What would you do if time and money were no object and you knew you couldn’t fail?

Life is too short to waste it doing something you don’t enjoy. If you aren’t sure what you really want to do with your life but know it isn’t what you are doing now, then why not drop me a line at coach@susanandrewes.com and see how I can help you? Or if you have a dream but don’t know how to get started, take the first step by getting in touch today.