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.
Subscribe and get a free copy of the 7-Day Define Your Success Challenge
Connect with Sharon Ehrlich on LinkedIn.

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

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!