I spent the last 2 weeks interviewing 12 working moms - senior leaders, middle managers, high achievers who've made it "up the ladder."

One theme emerged so consistently it surprised me:

Every single one valued time with family over traditional career advancement.

Unfortunately with traditional 9-5 jobs, choices are limited to 2 options:

1. Keep climbing the ladder and sacrifice family time
2. Accept smaller roles with fewer financial opportunities

But there is a strategic third option.

HERE'S MY STRATEGIC APPROACH:

Years ago, I made the strategic career decision to only choose roles that gave me work-life integration.

Not because I lacked ambition. Because I was designing my career strategically.

This strategic choice gives me:

• Regular salary and benefits (family security)
• More time with my kids (family presence)
• Mental bandwidth to build multiple income streams (financial growth)

While others follow traditional career paths, I'm building a customized approach.

THE PORTFOLIO CAREER STRATEGY:

I still work full-time, but I've created income streams that grow alongside my day job:

• Training and workshops (leveraging skills I already had)
• Coaching working moms (turning my experience into expertise)
• Building systems for consistent revenue (work in progress!)

I'm not risking my family's security. I'm strategically designing financial freedom.

WHAT THE INTERVIEWS REVEALED:

Those 12 accomplished women felt limited because they only saw two career paths. I used to think this way too. I thought if I wanted to be successful in my career, I couldn't:

• Negotiate for flexibility while building additional income streams
• Use a stable role as my foundation while creating portfolio careers
• Be strategic about which opportunities align with my life priorities
• Design careers around my values and family goals

YOUR CAREER, YOUR TERMS

It took me a few years to figure it out. But I soon learned you don't have to choose between family time and financial growth. You don't have to feel limited by traditional career paths.

You need to be strategic about your career. And intentionally design a third path that works for you.

You can design a strategic career that delivers both security AND freedom.

Ready to explore your strategic options?

If you're an ambitious mom ready to discover all your career possibilities, let's talk. Reply to this email and I'll show you how to design your strategic career plan.

Here's to building your third path alongside you,

Sharon

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