Add perimenopause, years of putting yourself at the bottom of the list, the comparison trap that social media intensifies, and a natural dip in confidence, and it’s no wonder many are asking, is this it?

But this doesn’t have to be a cause for concern: instead it’s a chance to reclaim your confidence, rediscover your authentic self and craft a future that truly aligns with who you’re becoming. This isn’t about settling; it’s about strategic reinvention for the woman you are now. Here’s Claire’s five essential steps to move forward.

Give yourself permission to pause, as you don’t have to orchestrate a complete life overhaul immediately. Creating space for reflection allows you to think clearly and silence the external noise that clouds decision-making.

Reconnect with your essence – not just your achievements. Spend time exploring your core strengths, values and interests, asking yourself when you feel most energised and what genuinely matters to you at this stage of your life.

Challenge the limiting narratives you’ve internalised. “I’m too old to pivot,” “I must maintain constant productivity” question these inherited beliefs because most of them are outdated constructs that no longer serve your evolution.

Experiment with intentional exploration by trying something that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s a creative course, meaningful volunteering, or passion projects, these low-pressure experiments build clarity and confidence whilst honouring your desire for growth.

Finally, curate your support network thoughtfully. Be it through professional coaching, peer circles or trusted confidantes, don’t navigate this transition in isolation – external perspective provides clarity and momentum when you need it most.

“This stage of life isn’t the conclusion of your story,” adds Claire. “It’s the opening chapter of your most authentic era, an opportunity to prioritise yourself, rebuild unshakeable confidence and create a future that genuinely excites you.”

For more information head to see www.drclairekaye.com or @drclairekayecoaching

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After disbanding in 1986, Stewart was far from done, composing soundtracks for blockbusters and with subsequent near-four decades at the forefront of contemporary music. We sat down for a chat to find out about his incredible career.

How did you end up where you are today?

“Music’s always been in my blood: my dad was a jazz aficionado, and my brothers Miles and Ian pretty much brought the English New Wave invasion to America. They started IRS Records, which gave us The Bangles, The Go-Go’s and REM. Sadly we lost Ian to melanoma in 2006. I miss him every day.”

Where did you come in to all this?

“I was 12 and playing drums in a school band. I noticed a girl, Janet Roberts, grooving to my beat – to me she was a Goddess and out of my reach. But she was dancing to my groove! I was playing in the band and she was dancing and I couldn’t believe I was causing her to move. It was an epiphany. I was the runt of the litter but banging on the drums turned me into an 800lb silverback, swinging through the trees.”

What happened next?

“I was 15 and playing drums during a school Christmas service at Wells Cathedral. I’ll never forget my music teacher pointing his finger at me to begin. For a moment, I was leading this magnificent artistic enterprise that I’d just been absorbing so profoundly. I was now the boss of it – and that told me there was a higher purpose in music, higher even than 15-year-old girls called Janet.”

Moving on to The Police: do you really think you where conquering the world?

“It’s a bunch of statistics. The interesting thing for me about that era is the world of fame and what that looks like. You’re not yourself: life’s guardrails are removed and that’s why so many come a cropper because they’re not limited by the normal rules of social intercourse.”

But what about your audience’s response?

“The phenomenon itself is incredible. It’s such good fun. You do something and get an immediate response. You bang something, and 80,000 people cheer. It was everything we dreamed of, and it was wonderful to be the centre of that attention. But there’s a point where there’s such a thing as too much love and adoration, and that becomes oppressive.”

So how did you cope?

“Most of the time we were fine; we could handle it because we were young, egotistical and confident. We were in our late 20s by that time, so we’d lived some experiences. For the next eight years that was all we knew. We were riding that rocket ship.”

We’ve read recordings with The Police had ‘become hell’ – is that true?

“It was, so I went off to record a film score for Francis Coppola. I was struck by the relief and joy of that music. The lack of judgment and tension was incredible. To just be making music myself was a pleasure. Francis would come and say: ‘Great, great, great.’ It was heaven to learn there was a world outside of The Police.”

So composing became your lifeline?

“The Police was like a Prada suit made out of razor blades. Outside of the band I was an employee. I worked for hire in a studio creating music for money. Two different things. Guess which one made me happier?”

You’re now travelling the world with your Have I Said Too Much? tour. What can we expect?

“Simply put it’s me, in conversation, talking about my career from the early days until today. Because it’s been quite a ride during my 72 years on Planet Earth.”

Buy tickets for Stewart’s Have I Said Too Much? tour here.

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1 Dare to daydream

Sounds counterproductive, we know, but some scientists believe allowing a specific time for daydreaming’s good for our health – and helps us pay attention when needed. “Ironically, a lack of time to daydream may even hamper our capacity to pay attention when we need to,” says Professor Mary-Helen Immordino-Yang from the University of Southern California.

2 Have a laugh

Our brains are naturally drawn towards fun activities, and some scientific studies have shown that by allowing ourselves to have fun, we can potentially concentrate better for longer. In one report, those who were shown a funny video then asked to do an activity tried harder and were focused on the task for longer, than those that simply sat straight down to work. 

3 Play the right music

That’s right; tune in to the beat – just make sure it’s the right kind. Certain music provides non-invasive noise and evokes pleasurable feelings, which temper our subconscious ability to get distracted. A surprising choice? Video game music! Rhythmic and designed to keep us in the game for as long as possible, its sole purpose is to stay in the background but also keep us in the zone.

4 Stop scrolling

An obvious one, but most people ignore the fact that it’s almost impossible to concentrate with constant pings and dings from those hard-to-resist apps. Having said that, there are apps you can use to pop them on mute. Another tip is to not install social media or chat-based apps on your desktop, removing email notifications in favour of giving yourself an allocated time to go and check them.

5 Get physical

Certain exercises like walking or jogging are known to aid concentration. However, because the effect only lasts about an hour, scheduling regular opportunities during the day could benefit you more. Studies have also shown that just five minutes of intense activity can also impact obesity levels and BMI. It all adds up to being more productive, with a healthier body and a healthier, more focussed mind. 

6 Remember to breathe

OK, so breathing’s something we all do without even thinking about it, but the truth is most of us don’t fully utilise the power of our breath. That’s where slow, deliberate breathing exercises come in, improving our ability to focus as a result. As your lungs take in more fresh air, your blood oxygen levels rise, then, as your blood pressure rises, more oxygen reaches your brain, enhancing your ability to concentrate.

7 Get your coat

Back during lockdown – as well as jumping up and down to Joe Wickes in front of the TV, and those well-deserved claps for the NHS from your front door – much was made of the psychological effects of getting dressed over working in your PJs. There’s science behind the theory that what you wear affects performance – one study even found wearing a lab coat like a doctor helped people to focus better!

8 Concentrate on colours

According to the colour theory, beige and grey can create feelings of depression, whereas red demands attention. So it’s important to think about the colour or shade you choose to wear or even surround yourself with, be it working from home or in the office. What’ve we discovered? The best colours to aid concentration are green and blue.

9 Find your focal point

It’s widely accepted that people find it easier to concentrate at different points in the day – which type you are, is known as your chronotype, and is something we’re born with. It’s mainly genetic, albeit it could alter slightly at different points in our development. And, now that workplaces are a lot more flexible, you can be a morning person or a night owl; at least to a certain extent.

10 Take the right supplement

There are many health supplements thought to aid concentration and provide balance and harmony to both body and mind. Some CBD products are reported to support concentration thanks to a unique combination of terpenes and herbal extracts such as maca root and ashwagandha, which are thought to calm the mind and limit distraction from external sources. Go on, think about what works for you.

To see your company in any upcoming features email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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There are many reasons why people want to change careers but the top of five reasons most job-changers give are, in descending order of importance: better pay, reducing stress, achieving a better work-life balance, seeking a new challenge and no longer feeling passionate about what they currently do.

The good news is that surveys show that after changing careers, people can become happier, more satisfied and fulfilled, less stressed, and frequently earn more money.

Here are some career options to inspire you

1. The College of Podiatry

Podiatrists are experts in all aspects of foot and lower limb function and health. They are highly skilled healthcare professionals trained to diagnose, treat, rehabilitate and prevent anomalies of the feet, ankles and lower limbs. They also prevent, manage and correct foot irregularities, relieve pain, treat infection and keep people of all ages mobile and active.

Specialising in a wide range of high-risk, long-term conditions, particularly diabetes, rheumatic and vascular disease, a podiatrist’s primary aim is to manage health, mobility and independence.

Whether you are straight from school or considering a second career, your time at university will be a challenging but exciting journey towards an ever-changing profession.

There are universities throughout the UK offering a full-time Bachelor of Science Honours degree in podiatry. To qualify and practice as a podiatrist you need to pass all of the courses. This involves clinical work with patients, both in academic and placement environments.

Find out more at careersinpodiatry.com

2. Strohacker Design School

For a long time, it seemed like everyone went to university. But increasingly, students are ditching traditional degree programmes in search of ‘real world’ courses. Why? Because universities aren’t setting them up with the key skills and experiences they need to get hired and make a living.

This change in attitude inspired the Strohacker Design School, an alternative school that offers three- and six-month intensive training courses that equip budding designers not only with the qualifications they need, but the experience employers are looking for.

Students can learn in person or online and build up a high calibre portfolio that can help them secure jobs quickly. Plus, thanks to the career-focused approach of the courses, pupils are better prepared to get into the groove of the workplace faster than their peers.

If you aspire to have a career in the design industry, this could be an efficient means of achieving your dreams. 

Find out more at strohackerdesignschool.co.uk

3. Premier TEFL

If this year has proved anything, it’s that working from home is a viable and effective means of making a living.

One option for those who want to maintain the flexibility and convenience of home-based working is teaching English as a foreign language online, a rewarding career that can transform people’s lives. 

As education has moved online more and more this year, online English tutors have experienced a huge uplift in demand and can typically earn up to £25 an hour. This, combined with the flexibility of the job, makes it an ideal route for students and stay-at-home parents.  

Premier TEFL can help you get the qualifications you need to teach English as a foreign language – fast. Within a month, they can help you gain a globally recognised teaching qualification as well providing the online toolkit you need to help people learn English fluently. 

Find out more at premiertefl.com

4. I See The Difference

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) make up the third-largest clinical workforce in the NHS. This family of 15 professions, including fields as diverse as podiatry, orthoptics, prosthetics and orthotics, radiography, occupational therapy and dietetics, provide essential care to millions of patients every day.

As an AHP you will see the difference you make to patients’ lives, whether by supporting their fight against cancer, managing long-term conditions like diabetes, or maintaining mobility and wellbeing.

But you’ll also see the difference a career as an AHP makes to you. The Allied Health Professions offer flexible careers, with great pay and opportunities to progress and specialise in your chosen field.

AHPs are essential to meet growing demand in the NHS, but many also offer opportunities for private practice.

Qualification routes vary but most require the completion of a three-year degree programme.

Find out more at iseethedifference.co.uk

5. Point Blank Music School

Established in London in 1994, Point Blank Music School has since taught over 50,000 aspiring artists, musicians, DJs, producers, managers and music industry professionals worldwide.

For students looking for a fully funded, hands-on degree from a top-ranked music school in the heart of east London’s creative hub, then Point Blank might just be the place.

Whether you want to study in-person, online, or a combination of both, Point Blank are open for clearing and have limited places remaining on their fully funded, hands-on Music Production, Sound Engineering, DJing and Music Industry degrees. With standard three-year and accelerated two-year options available, their industry expert lecturers, state-of-the-art studios and extensive industry connections will enable you to succeed in the ever-changing music industry. 

Can’t make it to London? Point Blank offers a range of incredible online courses that can be studied from home.

Find out more at pointblankmusicschool.com

6. T2 Fitness

Has this year got you looking for a career overhaul? Fortunately, there are countless training opportunities out there to help you improve and diversify your skillset if you’re yearning for something new – one of which is T2 Fitness Education.

This fully accredited fitness education service can help you study to be a personal trainer, offering specialist teaching in running bootcamps and both ante and post-natal exercise.

It’s an easy yet rewarding solution to anyone looking for pastures new.

All the classes are designed with the student in mind, and are delivered in a mix of videos, animations and bite-size study tasks, making it easy to fit in around your current commitments. Qualifications are certified by industry-recognised awarding organisations such as YMCA Awards and Focus Awards.

By the time you qualify you will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and acumen to successfully launch your new career.

Find out more at t2fitness.co.uk

7. Eagle

Accounting is a fascinating and rewarding career. Plus, once you qualify, you could earn an average of £28k for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), up to £63k for Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and as much as £90k for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

But did you know you don’t need to leave your home to study if your dream is to become an accountant? You can do it all online instead and at your own pace.

Eagle has over 20 years of experience supporting people from all walks of life study for their AAT, ACCA and CIMA qualifications through flexible distance learning.

Through the Eagle Education subscription, students can decide how much they want to study and when – and there are a number of flexible payment options, too. You’ll have a mentor to support them with any questions or concerns and will have access to the entire qualification for as long as you’re subscribed.

Find out more at eagle-education.co.uk

8. University College of Estate Management (UCEM)

From construction to surveying, business management and real estate, there are all kinds of jobs that help shape the built environment we live in.

If you want a career that will have the power to change the world for the better, where you can learn to build, design, manage and more, then a course at University College of Estate Management (UCEM) could be for you.

UCEM put people first. Their suite of modular, flexible courses are designed to work for each and every individual at every stage of their career.

The university, which began teaching online elements of its courses in 2001 and has delivered its built environment programmes fully online since 2015, provides undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and apprenticeships. 

UCEM has spaces available for students wishing to begin their studies this spring, with scholarships and bursaries also available.

Find out more at ucem.ac.uk

9. High Speed Training

Whether you’re looking for training to start a new role, to develop in your career, or to roll out to a team, it can be tricky to find the right type for you, especially in the current climate where face to face is off the table.

This is where High Speed Training can help. Their mission is to keep people safe, engaged and effective in their careers, which is why their courses are available online, on any device, at any time. 

High Speed Training offers compliance training for a whole range of sectors, including hospitality, health and social care and education, and has over 170 fully accredited courses. 

What’s more, High Speed Training has a wealth of resources available through a free online hub, so you and your employees can stay up to date with the latest regulations and guidance at the click of a button.

Find out more at highspeedtraining.co.uk

10. London Examinations Board

Having an MBA on your CV can really open doors when it comes to climbing the career ladder, but with rolling lockdowns, finding a stable period to study can be difficult.

But not anymore, thanks to the London Examinations Board. They partner with some of the leading universities in the UK, Australia, USA and France to make it easier than ever to get this crucial business qualification so that you can achieve your dreams whatever’s going on in the world.

Through LEB, you’ll find fun online programmes and a hub filled with exclusive learning materials for MBA study, comprising notes, extracts from the key works of business, magazine articles and videos. Combined, this virtual learning enables you to study whenever, wherever, and it’s super engaging too.

Students can also expect to follow work-based and problem-based learning in the form of lessons, which are delivered in a flexible format by skilled lecturers. 

Find out more at leb.education

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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We thought it would be interesting to look back at all of the jobs that celebs did before they became famous. Even Sam Thompson had to start somewhere!

Pete Wicks – Director

Before joining TOWIE, Pete worked for 11 years in the city as a director of a company. Since those days he has exchanged a corporate life for working in TV, modelling and presenting his own show ‘Reality News’ with Sam Thompson. The videos they produce together have been the highlight of this year’s lockdown.

Sam Thompson – Barman

Remember when Sam started working as an intern for Jamie Laing at his Candy Kittens business? Well the only job he had before Made in Chelsea which wasn’t captured on camera, was a bar job he was fired from. Multiple times. Luckily for Sam, his career has been a great success since appearing on TV.

Harry Styles –  Baker

Before Harry joined One Direction, he worked part-ime in the W Mandeville Bakery in Cheshire. Earning £6 an hour when he was a teenager, he left the bakery when he became a success on X-Factor. Harry returned to the bakery when he was filming for the One ­Direction movie, This is Us.

Kate Middleton – Luxury fashion buyer

Does anyone remember that Kate had a job after university as a luxury fashion buyer in Jigsaw working in their accessories department? Who knew she had such a talent for fashion? It definitely shows.

Vicky Pattison – Sales assistant

Before becoming a popular TV reality star on Geordie Shore, Vicky’s first-ever job was as a sales assistant at Shelly’s Shoe. Vicky also worked in telesales, a call centre and Newcastle’s top nightclubs before signing up to MTV’s hit show.

Mark Wright – Footballer

Mark was a semi-professional footballer playing for West Ham United and Arsenal before becoming captain of the Tottenham Hotspur youth team. Mark at the time was drawn to The Only Way is Essex and celebdom.

Calvin Harris – Fish Factory

Calvin Harris used to stack shelves at Safeway and work in a fish factory when he first started out djing in his hometown of Dumfries. Later on, he moved to London and was then discovered on MySpace.

Gemma Collins – Car salesperson

Before Gemma started to film for TOWIE, she was a used car salesperson at BMW. In her opening scene, she closed a deal on a car for co-star Kirk Norcross before his father surprised him with a Range Rover.

Cheryl Cole – Waitress

Cheryl was a waitress in Newcastle when she auditioned for ITV’s nationwide talent search Popstars: The Rivals. She soon discovered fame through gaining a final place in Girls Aloud.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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Networking is essential for advancing in your field or if you’re seeking out new opportunities, but it can often appear to be much more daunting than it really is. Working on your networking skills can open up new career avenues and income streams for you.

Virtual networking

Traditional networking scenarios have become much more difficult since the start of the pandemic, but this doesn’t mean we can’t build professional connections in other ways.

E-mentoring has swiftly filled a gap left by face-to-face events, meaning that connecting with leading industry professionals is now more accessible than ever. From tech to business to journalism, online networking and webinar events are now commonplace allowing you to add to your professional circle from the comfort of your own home. Search through sites such as Eventbrite for virtual networking events relevant to your career field. Find networking events also has filters specifically for online and career meetups. 

LinkedIn is still the obvious choice for building your network, but this doesn’t mean that other social media platforms, such as Twitter, can’t be used as well. Taking the initiative and actively seeking out like-minded professionals online can help you build networks in lieu of official events. Hoping to rival LinkedIn, recently launched platform Guild is a site for a networking and professional community building within a mobile friendly app.

Think about how it will benefit you

To make sure you can get as much out of networking as possible its worth spending time considering what you’d like to get out of it, from new sharing professional ideas to finding a mentor.

Planning your conversation topics beforehand and doing your research on experts us easy yet a crucial way to maximising what you can get from the event. Think about what strengths you have in your field and what you can bring to the table. Confidence is also key to success with networking. For those who are less confident, TED has a guide to succeeding at networking as an introvert written by tech executive Karen Wickre.

Join specialised networks

Specialised websites and groups for networking are readily available online and face to face. I like networking (ILN) is a platform created specifically for women and non-binary individuals who are working within creative industries but feel stuck.

Aiming to tackle gender inequality within the field, ILN works internationally to support mentees for three months to help them refine their skills and introduce them to industry experts. They also have a membership programme for access to regular networking events. 1MWIS is a global network for women in traditionally underrepresented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industries through celebrating diversity and creating positive role models.

Reconnecting with university peers and lecturers through alumni networks are a simple yet effective way to build contacts which could come in use at some point in the future. Employee networks are another way to build up your connections. The Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI) look to promote diversity and inclusion within UK workplaces.

Look for a mentor

Similarly, mentoring is another way to build professional connections while furthering career development, both as a mentor and a mentee. Mentors can be found through a range of official schemes, for example, the CFA institute mentoring scheme for investment professionals or The 30% Club scheme to address gender imbalance within senior management globally. Mentors can also be discovered through more informal channels as well. For example, several early career professionals have found mentors through reaching out via social media.

For established individuals looking to establish networks for the next generation, Princes Trust aims to provide mentoring and support for budding entrepreneurs aged 18-30 through a range of initiatives including mentoring a young person.

Following up and building a relationship

Now that you’ve made a whole new network of professional contacts it’s just as important to maintain these relationships. Keeping in touch is crucial to keep hold of your contacts, consider ways you could help your network professionally and remember to regularly thank your new contacts when they help you out.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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It may have begun with yet another lockdown, but don’t be tempted to write 2021 off just yet. Granted, it’s going be far from a ‘normal’ year. Constant change across every industry, restrictions imposed at short notice, and things that were once the accepted norm now feeling like they’re from a distant era. But, after 2020, you’re used to that. You found ways to cope. And in 2021 you can do more than cope: you can adapt, get ahead of the game, and succeed.

Now is the right time to assess your plans for the year – in terms of career goals, investments, and preparing for the future. Be realistic, but don’t be a doomsayer. ‘Change’ is a neutral word – it doesn’t necessarily mean for the worse, or for the better – and in 2021, new opportunities will open as much as old ones close off. That’s what business does: it creates new markets, responds to change and gets ready for the future. You can do the same by putting your focus in the right place.

So how do you make the most of 2021? Rather than think about specific savings, investments or positions, think about what matters on the most fundamental level: you. With the toll successive lockdowns have taken, ‘self-care’ has become a buzzword, but we prefer its cousin, ‘self-investment’. It’s the equivalent of following all that personal advice – eat more fruit, go for a run, turn your phone off – but from a career and money perspective. Done correctly and consistently, self-investment can put you in the right position so that opportunities will come.

Investing in yourself starts with a series of basic questions. Do you have the skills you need to take the next step in your career? Have you set goals for the coming year? Are you getting the right coaching and advice? Are you sinking time into activities you could really do without? Do you have enough control over your finances?

Next, consider these three tips:

• Make the most of your time. Being compelled to stay at home might feel limiting, but it does give you extra time that you can use to free yourself fiscally. Give your finances a health-check: are you saving money, are you paying down debt quickly enough, are you spending on subscriptions that you don’t need, can you switch your bills and finance to a cheaper provider? If you can save money just with an admin session, it will have benefits beyond your bank balance figure – it can reduce your worries so you can focus fully on your next career move or business project.
• Upskill yourself – it’s easier than ever. Online training has undergone a huge boom in the last 12 months, with countless courses moving to digital, self-timed formats, so you don’t need to commit to a lengthy or inflexible curriculum. Have a look at FutureLearn or Coursera for free or paid courses you can start right away – giving you a first step towards advancing in your career or starting a totally new one.
• Think big. Fancy a total change of career? You might be in luck. After a year of ‘lockdown business’, barriers to entry in many industries have actually come down. Companies are taking a more open approach to hiring: they are happy to interview remote workers for any position, and they’re likely to be more transparent about the candidate they’re looking for and more flexible over issues such as working hours around childcare. If that ‘big opportunity’ always seemed a bridge too far, make sure you apply for it anyway. You have nothing to lose, and your chances will be better than you think.

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