58: Craft Your Success Blueprint: A 7-Day Challenge

In this episode of "Living While Leading," host Sharon Ehrlich introduces the 7-Day Define Your Success Challenge, a transformative tool for women at various career stages.

Sharon shares her journey of aligning career goals with core values, emphasizing the importance of strategic decision-making and mentorship.

The challenge guides listeners through identifying core values, setting SMART goals, and overcoming limiting beliefs like imposter syndrome. Sharon highlights the power of networking and reflection, encouraging listeners to build meaningful relationships and regularly assess their progress.

This episode is a call to action for women to take control of their careers and align them with personal fulfillment.

Click here to read the full transcript of this episode.
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Sharon Ehrlich is a leadership strategist who turns stalled teams and overwhelmed leaders into high-impact performers, one conversation, one workshop, one coaching session at a time.

Through bespoke, problem-solving workshops, she helps organizations tackle real-world challenges—misaligned priorities, fractured communication, low morale—and leaves them with a clear roadmap to stronger trust, sharper decision-making, and sustained innovation.

Working 1:1 with executives, Sharon’s coaching blends deep listening with targeted feedback, so leaders refine their communication style, build resilience in uncertainty, and craft a strategic vision that sticks. Her clients report immediate shifts like teams collaborating more openly, projects hitting targets faster, and cultures becoming more inclusive and energized.

Whether you’re navigating a hybrid work maze, seeking fresh ideas to spark creativity, or aiming to align leadership around a shared purpose, Sharon’s insight-packed podcast episodes offer quick, actionable strategies you can put to work today.

Curious to see how she can help you solve your toughest leadership or team challenge? Explore current and past episodes at LivingWhileLeading.com or connect with Sharon on LinkedIn to start the conversation.

Transcript

58: Craft Your Success Blueprint: A 7-Day Challenge

I remember moving forward early in my career but needing more real direction. On paper, I was achieving goals—getting promotions and taking on more responsibility—but it felt hollow. Something was missing.

That moment of clarity came when I decided to be strategic and intentional about my decisions, the roles I accepted, and my search for mentors who could offer genuine support. 

That’s when everything changed. I wasn’t just working hard — I was working smart. And today, I’m excited to walk you through the 7-Day Define Your Success Challenge, designed to help you do the same.

If you’re starting your career, this challenge will help you define your core values, set realistic and actionable goals, and begin building a strategic network to set a strong foundation for long-term success.
 
 

If you’re a mid-career professional, this tool will give you clarity and direction, helping you overcome limiting beliefs, reassess priorities, and reignite your professional growth.
 
 

If you’re a seasoned leader, the challenge provides a framework for aligning your career success with personal fulfillment and continuous growth.

Find the full transcript and other resources for women leaders at LivingWhileLeading.com/58.

Strategic Alignment of Career Goals and Core Values

One of my career's most significant turning points was understanding the importance of aligning my goals with my core values. It sounds simple, but you may overlook it as you advance your career. 
 
 Even the most successful career can feel unfulfilling if it’s not grounded in what truly matters to you.

Day 1 of the challenge involves listing and ranking your core values. The goal is to take time to identify the values that guide you. Is it creativity? Integrity? Financial independence? 
 
 Once you have that list, then you rank your values in order of importance. This exercise is key because self-awareness guides every career decision.

When prioritizing my values—like work-life balance and leadership—I began to choose roles that aligned with those principles. I no longer took the first opportunity that came my way but made choices that would bring me fulfillment. Core values alignment ensures that your career isn’t just moving forward but in the right direction.

Designing SMART Career Goals for Professional and Personal Excellence

Once you've identified your core values, it's time to turn them into actionable goals. You know the importance of goal setting, but not all goals are equal. I like the SMART framework because it’s simple and allows you to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and time-bound goals. 
 
Although using this framework may sound elementary, it will compel you to challenge your thinking about the goals you set for yourself. 
 

Let me give you an example. Let’s say you want to develop better leadership skills; a SMART goal would look something like this: “I will complete an executive leadership program (specific and measurable) within the next six months (timebound) to enhance my leadership presence (relevant and achievable).” 

Using SMART goals, you create a roadmap for achieving personal and professional growth. Remember to break these larger goals into smaller action steps with clear timelines. Whether you’re focusing on career development or work-life balance strategies, SMART goals are essential for progress.

Mindset Transformation to Overcome Career Obstacles for Women Leaders

Now, let’s address that you might face a significant challenge, such as limiting beliefs. High-achieving women often struggle with imposter syndrome, lack of confidence, or the fear of failure. How often have you felt like a fraud, even when your accomplishments speak for themselves?

Day 3 of the challenge is dedicated to overcoming these barriers. The exercise focuses on identifying and reframing negative thoughts into positive counterstatements. 
 
 For example, if you think, “I’m not experienced enough for this role,” reframe it as “I have the skills and experience to succeed in this role.” This shift in mindset serves as a reminder of your capabilities and can make all the difference in how you talk to yourself.

A second strategy is to track your wins. Use the notes section in your smartphone to create a success journal where you document every achievement, big or small. This will boost your confidence, combat the internal voice of doubt, and remind you how much you’ve accomplished. 

Building Professional Connections to Accelerate Your Career

Networking is one of the most underutilized but powerful tools for career success. Building a solid network isn’t just about accumulating contacts on LinkedIn; it’s about forming meaningful relationships that support your professional goals.

Identify key people in your organization or industry who can offer mentorship, sponsorship, or guidance. Here are some tips you can try:

Tip #1: Be intentional when reaching out — don’t just ask for help; provide something in return, whether collaboration or sharing expertise. 

Tip #2: Follow up. Relationships are built over time; nurturing them through consistent communication is critical to turning a connection into an opportunity.

Strategic networking is a critical component of career development for women and a powerful way to achieve professional empowerment.

Cultivating Career Success Through Self-Reflection

Last but not least, let’s discuss the importance of reflection. You may be so focused on moving forward that you forget to stop and reflect on how far you’ve come. Reviewing your progress builds confidence and gives insight into where adjustments are needed. 

Ask yourself, “What have I achieved so far? What lessons have I learned?” Use these reflections to refine your goals. Success isn’t static. Staying flexible and adjusting your action plans as you grow is essential. Reflection is critical to maintaining momentum.

Unlock Your Career Potential and Download the 7-Day Define Your Success Challenge Workbook Today

No matter which stage you are in your career, I encourage you to download the 7-Day Define Your Success Challenge Workbook. This is your opportunity to set goals that align with your core values, who you are now, and the future you want to build for yourself. 

Download your free copy today at https://livingwhileleading.com/guide/.

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