45: 15 Crucial Life and Career Lessons I'd Tell My Younger Self

This episode reflects on past lessons and is packed with actionable advice for women looking to enhance their professional and personal growth. These 15 lessons are crafted to inspire and challenge you to think differently about your journey.

Here’s a peek at what you’ll discover:

1. Learn why striving for progress rather than perfection is more fulfilling.
2. Understand that you are more than your job title or role.
3. Discover how simplifying your life can lead to greater clarity and satisfaction.

Listen in and be encouraged to live boldly and with intention. Whether you're an emerging professional or seasoned executive, these lessons aim to equip you with the mindset to thrive not just in your career but in life.

Click here for the full transcript.

Over my career, I have accepted various promotions in the corporate space.
Then, at a certain point, I realized that something was very wrong.

I was the only woman in the room. Perhaps there were other women out there experiencing the same. And perhaps those women needed mentors. So, I decided to walk away from my high-paying executive job and started Living While Leading.

High-performing women deserve to be supported through the unique challenges they face in male-dominated spaces.

This is where OWN THE ROOM comes in. You work hard to build your expertise and reputation. You may question if you’re genuinely being seen or heard in specific spaces. This self-doubt impacts visibility, erodes confidence, and affects how others perceive your value.

In your one-off OWN THE ROOM 90-minute private session, I’ll help prioritize individual goals and brainstorm actionable steps.

Then, there’s my 3-month coaching program: the LWL 4-step system. You get weekly tailored sessions for 3 months for 1 hour to help you reach your goals.

Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to invest in yourself. The right time is now. Work with me to unlock your potential and ensure you own every room you enter.

Click here to work with Sharon.
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Transcript

45: 15 Crucial Life and Career Lessons I'd Tell My Younger Self

In the early days of my career, mentorship was very scarce. I often joke that back then, that my idea of a mentor was any woman in a leadership role who didn't mind me eavesdropping on her conversations.

The truth is, having someone to offer pearls of wisdom or even just to validate my experiences would have been invaluable. I'm fairly certain I would have listened to some of their advice—at least on the days I wasn’t too stubborn to admit I needed it!

This lack of mentorship made me realize the importance of support networks and guided me to where I am today—a place where I can offer that guidance I once so desperately needed. 

They say experience is the best teacher, but I say, why not learn from the experiences of others and save some time?

Have you ever wondered what advice you would give to your younger self? What secrets to success and happiness would you share? 

Join me to unpack 15 priceless life lessons that can, no matter what stage you are in your career, make your journey a bit smoother!

Find the full transcript and other resources for women leaders at www.LivingWhileLeading.com/45

Transformative Lessons for Unlocking Personal & Professional Growth

In today's episode, I’d like to share wisdom that I wish had reached me earlier in life. Some of these lessons are ones I've only recently embraced, proving that it's never too late to learn, alter behaviors, or modify habits. 

So, let’s get started. Here are the top 15 lessons I would tell my younger self, which I am excited to share with you.

1.    Pursuing Perfection is Overrated
 Let’s kick things off with a reality check on perfection. Striving for perfection can be exhausting and often unattainable. What life has taught me is to strive for progress, not perfection. Focus on bettering yourself each day, not burdening yourself with unreachable standards.

2.    Delegate Non-Essential Tasks
 Early on, I learned the hard way that trying to do it all isn't heroic—it's unsustainable. Delegate tasks that drain your energy or that others can handle just as effectively. Freeing up your time means more space for creativity and growth or simply anything that is important to you.

3.    Less Stuff, More Happiness
 Accumulating possessions might give a quick happiness boost, but it fades fast. Simplify life to include only what truly brings joy and utility can lead to greater clarity and satisfaction. Quality over quantity always wins.

4.    Embrace the Power of 'No'
 Saying 'no' is not just your right — it's a responsibility to your well-being. Setting boundaries protects your energy and time for the things that truly matter. Plus, people respect you more when they see you value your own time.

5.    Risk is Necessary for Growth
 Risk-taking can be scary. Whether you’re considering a career change or a bold new project, calculated risks often lead to substantial rewards. Keep in mind that fortune favors the brave.

6.    Genuine Connections Over Networking
 While networking can open doors, genuine connections build the house you want to live in. Invest time in relationships that foster mutual growth and understanding, not just those that offer immediate professional gain.

7.    Prioritize Self-Care
 You can’t pour from an empty cup. Regular self-care keeps you at your best, both physically and mentally. Whether it's a spa day or just a quiet hour with a book, make sure you recharge regularly.

8.    Financial Independence is Key
 Understanding and managing your finances grants you freedom and peace of mind. Invest wisely and save regularly. Financial independence allows you to make life choices without being overly stressed about money.

9.   Learn to Embrace Change
Change is inevitable, and adapting to it is a critical skill. Embrace change as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than a hurdle.

10.           Authenticity Wins
 Be true to yourself in all aspects of life. Authenticity attracts the right people and opportunities. It's easier and more fulfilling to be yourself than to maintain a façade. To paraphrase the poet Oscar Wilde “why not be yourself, everyone else is already taken.”

11.           Continuous Learning is Crucial
 The world is always evolving, and staying informed and skilled is key to staying relevant. Embrace learning as a lifelong journey.

12.           Practice Gratitude Daily
 Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings. Turn routine tasks into joyful events and a scarcity mindset into abundance.

13.           Failures are Lessons
 Don’t fear failure. View each setback as a steppingstone to greater success. Analyze what went wrong, adjust, and move forward with new wisdom.

14.           Give Back
 Sharing your success by mentoring others or contributing to your community not only helps others but also enriches your own life. The satisfaction from helping others grow is unparalleled.

15.           You Are More Than Any Single Role
 Recognize that you are more than any one role or job opportunity. Each experience contributes to your growth, but none define your worth. This perspective allows you to navigate your career with flexibility and resilience, ready to embrace new opportunities without fear.

Transform Your Life and Career at Any Stage

And there we have it—15 powerful lessons that incorporate decades of trials, triumphs, and transformations. Whether you’re just starting out or reflecting on a long career, it’s never too late to apply some of these lessons and reshape your journey.

If you found these insights valuable, share this episode help more women lead fulfilled and balanced lives.

Remember, you’re the solution to claiming what’s important to you!