It was Millennium Eve, a few minutes to midnight and I could feel the crowd getting more excited as they started to jostle and shout. I was on a rooftop at London Bridge waiting for the fireworks to start, when the inner restlessness about my career returned. What did this feeling mean? Was it something to do with having turned 30 the year before? Maybe it was the global excitement about entering a new century that was unsettling me? I couldn’t put my finger on the growing ache but as Big Ben struck midnight, I vowed  I wouldn’t feel like this on the eve of 2001.


Grace Owen named that inner restlessness The Career Itch.  It took her on a journey of discovery that enabled her to take control of what she did next in her career and ultimately led to her becoming a career coach.  She has helped many of her clients to navigate The Career Itch process successfully and has now written this book to help you.  

If you are feeling overworked, stuck in a rut, confused about where you are headed or are looking for that elusive work-life balance, then you are likely to be experiencing The Career Itch.  Grace has identified four steps you will need to take control of what you want to do next.  Based on the acronym ITCH, these are:

Identity: Knowing who you are
If you don’t know who you are, then you won’t know what you want.  This first step is about discovering your personality, talents (yes, you do have some!), transferable skills and values and finding out how these relate to your career.  

Thinking: Clarifying what you do next
Uncovering any limiting beliefs that may be subconsciously holding you back is essential.  You can then focus on your aspirations (dream big!) and your needs (practical things like money).  You will then be set up to consider your options (employee, going it alone or the best of both).

Change: Making a successful transition
This can be the scariest part of the process but understanding The Career Itch change cycle and the feelings you are likely to experience will reassure and sustain you.  Preparation and an effective exit strategy will set you on your way.  

Habit: Achieving a balanced lifestyle
This is about so much more than leaving work on time, getting home to put the kids to bed or taking up a new hobby.  It involves looking at your working habits in detail and putting your career into the context of your whole life.

The 21st-century workplace offers more opportunities than ever before – which can feel overwhelming.  However, you don’t need to find the answer to your entire career right now; you only need to discover the next step.  This book includes client case studies and plenty of ‘Things for You to Do’ – remember the more you put in the more you’ll get out. Read Some Reviews »

You are likely to experience The Career Itch several times in your working life and you can use this book to help you decide what to do next on every occasion.  The Career Itch is available to buy now.

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