Career Design Notes - Real decisions. Real trade-offs. Real career redesign.

Sharon Singh Sidhu
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  • CAREERS
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Most women don’t design their careers. They default into them.  Climb the ladder.  Stay for stability.  Do what’s expected.  And then one day, it stops working. Career Design Notes is where I share how I’m redesigning my career as a working mom while keeping my job, raising my kids, and building something on the side. No hype.  No complicated strategies. Just real decisions, real trade-offs, and a simpler way to think about building a career that actually supports your life. Subscribe to get the notes: https://sharonsinghsidhu.com

  1. 12 APR

    190: The decision that made me feel sick (and why I still did it)

    In this episode, I share a recent decision that made me feel physically uncomfortable — investing in a mastermind for my business. As a working mom and primary provider, decisions about money are never just about the money. They come with responsibility, trade-offs, and doubt. But this decision brought up something deeper. Not just whether it would work — but whether I was willing to take a chance on myself again, especially after past attempts didn’t always go the way I expected. In this episode, I talk about: why fear doesn’t always mean you’re making the wrong decisionwhat it really means to believe in yourself again without much proofhow building a business alongside a job creates optionsthe role of self-awareness in making better decisionsThis episode is for women who are building something beyond their job, while managing the responsibilities of work and family. Resources CLICK HERE to sign up to get the notes and updated when new episodes are out.

    12 min

  2. 4 APR

    Why I Chose the Harder Path

    Most women don’t design their careers. They default into them. Climb the ladder. Stay for stability. Do what’s expected. And then one day, it stops working. In this episode, I share why I chose to build a business while keeping my job — even though it’s harder. Not because it’s ideal. But because the alternatives were unacceptable to me. I talk about: why “stability” isn’t always safewhat keeps you going when motivation runs outand a simpler way to think about designing a career that actually supports your life This is part of my weekly Career Design Notes where I share how I’m thinking about career, money, and building something on the side as a working mom. Subscribe to get the full notes here: https://sharonsinghsidhu.com

    6 min

  3. 22 MAR

    188: Breaking the Cycle of Financial Anxiety: A Step Towards Resilience

    In this episode, I break down what I mean by financial resilience - moving from fear, panic, and anxiety around money to feeling calm, clearheaded, confident, and empowered even before you've achieved your financial goals.  I share why the first step to financial resilience is awareness. On the practical side, this means getting organized and knowing where your money is coming and going. More importantly, and less discussed, on the psychological side, observing your money behaviors and the patterns behind them.  I introduce the idea of “money disorders” (avoidance, worship, and relational issues) and how early experiences and financial flashpoints can shape how you react to money.  I share the power of pausing to self-soothe, including simple techniques like breathing, mindful practices, movement, and more empowering self-talk to help you get better at overcoming money challenges and make a simple, doable plan instead of reacting from anxiety and fear. If you've tried all the money tactics like saving, budgeting, investing, planning and still anxious about money, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned Follow me on LinkedIn for regular posts about building financial resilienceSign up to my newsletter to get updated when new podcasts are available

    27 min

  4. 15 MAR

    187: Finding Financial Certainty In Uncertain Times

    I’m back after taking a break to reflect on where I want to take the podcast and I’m recommitting to a core theme I don’t see discussed enough in personal finance: financial resilience—the internal ability to stay calm and make clear decisions when money situations change.  With rising costs and uncertainty around jobs and business, I want to help you find more financial certainty by building resilience from the inside, not just focusing on tactics like budgeting or investing.  I share my story of starting a cafe that closed after four years and left us with six-figure debt, returning to my HR career, and becoming my family’s primary provider.  Drawing on decades in HR and my own fear and money avoidance, I explain why uncertainty is unavoidable and preview next episode’s first steps to build resilience. Resources Mentioned Connect with me on LinkedIn.Get updated when new episodes are released.

    18 min

  5. 4 JAN

    186: I Missed My Goals. Here's What I Learned.

    In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what 2025 actually looked like while building a business on lunch breaks and weekend mornings while working full-time, providing for my family, and caring for aging parents. No highlight reel. No guru 'expert' advice. Just the real lessons from the trenches. What You'll Learn: The Reality Check: What I planned for 2025 vs. what actually happenedThe 5 Unglamorous Lessons:It Takes WAY Longer Than You ThinkVisibility Is Practice, Not PersonalityYou Have to Become a Different PersonBuilding While Employed Is the Smarter PathSmall Wins Matter MORE Than Big WinsWhat I'm Taking Into 2026This Episode Is For You If: You didn't hit your 2025 goals and feel discouragedYou're building a business on the side while working full-timeYou're scared of being visible on LinkedIn (what if your boss sees?)You're overwhelmed by how long it's taking to see resultsYou need permission to celebrate small wins instead of fixating on the gapYou're a sandwiched mom providing for family while building something of your ownResources: Business Clarity Session (1-on-1): In 60 minutes, we'll identify your monetizable expertise, map your first income stream, design your 1-hour/day plan, and handle the fear of being visible while employed. Book here: https://sharonsinghsidhu.thrivecart.com/business-clarity-session/Create 2026 Workshop: Review your 2025, set your 2026 vision, and create your action plan. Includes Annual Planning Guide + 5-Step Problem-Solving Framework. Get it here: https://sharonsinghsidhu.com/create2026Learn More: Website: https://sharonsinghsidhu.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonsinghsidhu/Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps other working moms find this podcast.

    40 min

  6. 31/12/2025

    185: Why Your 2025 Goals Failed (And How to Approach 2026 Differently)

    Recording this on the last day of 2025, I'm sharing what came up for me while facilitating my Create 2026 workshop. It's probably not what you expect from a typical year-end review episode. Yes, we talk about goals. But more importantly, we talk about WHO you need to become to achieve them. In this episode: Why building a business is harder than anyone admits (and why that's okay)The skills employees aren't taught that business owners needHow to hold two opposing energies: caring deeply while staying detachedWhy your 'failures' are actually stepping stonesThe perspective shift that changed everything for me: the process IS the goalHow to approach 2026 with joy and gratitude instead of frustrationThis is for you if: You didn't hit your 2025 goals and you're feeling discouragedYou're building a business on the side while working full-timeYou're tired of the hustle culture and want a more sustainable approachYou want to become the sort of person who figures things out even when it's hardResources mentioned: Create 2026 Workshop (FREE): Review 2025, set your 2026 vision, create an action planBonuses: Annual Planning Guide + 5-Step Problem Solving FrameworkGet it here: sharonsinghsidhu.com/create2026Connect with Sharon: LinkedIn: @sharonsinghsidhuWeekly guides: sharonsinghsidhu.com

    18 min

  7. 24/12/2025

    184: What My Year-End Review Revealed

    As the year comes to a close, many of us are reflecting on our jobs, our lives, and what we want next. But when you’re a working mom building a business on the side, it’s easy to skip reviewing your own progress especially when results feel slower than expected. In this episode, I share what my 2025 business review revealed after 20+ years of leading reviews and goal-setting in corporate roles and what I’m doing differently in 2026. You’ll hear: Why your vision can stay constant even when priorities shiftHow different seasons of motherhood require different strategiesWhy avoiding your numbers is often about emotion, not disciplineHow to review your business without beating yourself upA simpler, more sustainable way to plan goals when time and energy are limitedThis episode is especially for working moms who feel: Busy but unsure if they’re making real progressDiscouraged by slow or uneven resultsOverwhelmed by 'big goals' that don’t fit real lifeMentioned in this episode: Create 2026 (Free Live Workshop) A guided year-end review + 2026 planning session designed for busy working moms building a business on the side. You’ll review what worked (and didn’t) in 2025, clarify your 2026 vision, and leave with focused priorities you can actually follow through on. Register here: sharonsinghsidhu.com/create2026

    26 min

  8. 15/12/2025

    183: Why You Feel Exhausted Building Your Career or Business (And What’s Really Draining You)

    Have you ever felt deeply exhausted, discouraged, or disillusioned while working toward something that truly matters to you - your career, your business, or your long-term goals? In this episode, I share what I’ve been personally moving through over the past few weeks, and the deeper reason many high-achieving working women feel drained even when they’re doing “all the right things.” This episode isn’t about time management or productivity hacks. It’s about how a lack of self-belief and self-trust quietly running in the background drains our energy, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and feeling like we want to give up. In this episode, I share: Why exhaustion isn’t always about workloadHow doubt and uncertainty drain more energy than actionWhy acceptance is not giving up but a powerful resetHow to build self-trust when progress feels slowWhat to do when even loved ones don’t believe in your dreamsHow to stay committed without burning out or rushing the processIf you’re a working woman building something meaningful alongside a full life and wondering why it feels so heavy lately, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Exhaustion often comes from doubting the outcome, not the effortAcceptance clears emotional resistance and restores claritySelf-belief is a muscle, not a personality traitBig goals exist to shape who you become, not just what you achieveResources Follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodesCLICK HERE to download the weekly guide with key insights and actionsCLICK HERE to book a free discovery call if you want support navigating burnout, visibility, or career uncertaintyLinks are in the show notes and on https://sharonsinghsidhu.com

    25 min
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Most women don’t design their careers. They default into them.  Climb the ladder.  Stay for stability.  Do what’s expected.  And then one day, it stops working. Career Design Notes is where I share how I’m redesigning my career as a working mom while keeping my job, raising my kids, and building something on the side. No hype.  No complicated strategies. Just real decisions, real trade-offs, and a simpler way to think about building a career that actually supports your life. Subscribe to get the notes: https://sharonsinghsidhu.com

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