Wait! Before You Set Your 2014 Goals, Do This One Thing

Christi Hegstad December 30th, 2013

“Lose weight.” “Save money.” “Get organized.” Blah blah blah. These are the most common New Year’s resolutions in America each year. Do they motivate, energize, and excite you into action? Me neither.

I’m convinced that the main reason New Year’s resolutions fail is because they are formed from a place of lack. We ask ourselves: What did I do poorly this year? Where did I fail? What am I still not doing right after all these years? Then we set our goals from that point of deficiency and frustration.

No wonder most of us have forgotten our resolutions by February!

This year, before you record your goals on paper (you do that, right? ;-), begin with what I call a Celebration of Triumphs. My coaching clients all receive a template for this activity, but you can whip up your own today in 3 simple steps:

1. Find a quiet location where you can be free from interruptions for an hour. Your local library or coffee shop, perhaps – somewhere out of your ‘usual’ environment.

2. Number a blank piece of paper or journal page from 1-12.

3. Reflect over the past year, and jot down 12 successes – results that make you happy, proud, or that you consider “wins.” I recommend at least 6 of them stemming from your work experience.

Side note: YOU get to define success for this exercise. Did you land an important client? Volunteer for a leadership position in your trade association? Keep your tomato plants alive? Whatever YOU consider success counts!

Once completed, take a few moments to savor your success and pat yourself on the back. THEN, from this place of success and joy, start recording your goals for 2014. Not only will you be in a much better mental space, you’ll find your goals much more connected to your purpose and to what YOU truly envision as success in the coming year.

What is one of your successes from 2013? Share yours in the comments below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter!

Want to have SPECTACULAR results to celebrate with an entire group in 2014? Final chance to enroll in the ASPIRE Success Club – click here for details!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.

Now Is The Time

Christi Hegstad December 29th, 2013

CLARITY KICKSTART: December 30, 2013

“Life is now.”

~ Eckhart Tolle

Coaching Tip For The Week:

A new year is just hours away.

NOW is the time to decide who you will be in 2014. What words will best describe you?

NOW is the time to choose to up-level your game. What will you do differently to grow your success?

NOW is the time to live with intention, meaning, and purpose. What matters most? How are you honoring that? How will you continue to flourish in 2014?

NOW is the time.

Life is now.

If you want different results in 2014, you must DO things differently. We can help! Final chance to enroll in the ASPIRE Success Club – click here for details!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.

Christmas Clarity Kickstart

Christi Hegstad December 23rd, 2013

CLARITY KICKSTART: December 23, 2013

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before:

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store?

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?”

~ Dr. Seuss

Wishing you peace, love, and abundant blessings this Christmas and always!

From all of us at MAP Inc.,

Happy Holidays!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.

Now enrolling for the 2014 ASPIRE Success Club! Click here for details.

What’s Your Theme For 2014?

Christi Hegstad December 17th, 2013

If you could sum up 2013 in one word, what word would you choose?

Now…if you could choose the word that you want to describe 2014, which would you choose?

In addition to setting annual goals, I’ve long chosen a theme to define my year, which I blogged about just before New Year’s last year (read that article here). Many of my clients now do this as well and find it to be one of the most centering and proactive success measures they’ve employed. (And I work with high achievers, so that says a lot!) 😉

You can select your annual theme with two simple questions:

Next year at this time, as I reflect back, what word do I most want to describe my year?

and

Next year at this time, what word do I most want to describe me?

In 2012, I did a lot of hiding out. I had a transformational year, with many wonderful high points, but I also had some life events that threw me for a loop. As a result, I didn’t put myself out there too extraordinarily much. I played it safe, not in the mood for risks.

So as I brainstormed possible themes for 2013, one thought kept returning to the forefront. I wanted to embrace life more, the beautiful parts and even the not-so-fun parts that help me grow.

I wanted to connect with people from whom I had disconnected and meet new amazing people that would inspire me.

I wanted to live full-out and play full-on.

I wanted to engage. So that’s been my theme for 2013: ENGAGE.

My theme has played out in a number of incredible ways in 2013, from hosting our first annual (and wildly successful) Spark! event to attending a slew of networking, fundraising, and community events filled with inspiring people. It’s had me saying “Yes” more, especially in areas where my default used to be “No.” It’s even prompted a series of workshops on a topic near and dear to my heart – employee engagement – helping employees succeed in meaningful work that makes a difference.

My annual theme has once again, in a nutshell, changed my life.

So I pose these questions to you again:

Next year at this time, as you reflect back, what word do you most want to describe your year?

and

Next year at this time, what word do you most want to describe you?

Choose a word or phrase as your 2014 theme – not a “should” or a ho-hum word, but one that excites, exhilarates, and energizes you. A word ripe with possibility. Write it in your journal or planner, use it in your passwords, plaster it on your bathroom mirror – whatever you need to do to keep it present.

Then create and watch for opportunities throughout the year to fully engage in your theme. Next year at this time, you’ll be amazed at how your theme has played out in your work and life!

What’s your theme? Please share in the comments below, on Facebook, or via Twitter!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.

Now enrolling for the 2014 ASPIRE Success Club! Click here for details.

What Do You Expect?!

Christi Hegstad December 16th, 2013

CLARITY KICKSTART:

“Set high expectations, communicate them, and impose consequences for poor performance. People will either live up to or down to the expectations you have of them.”

~ Larry Winget

Coaching Tip For The Week:

What expectations do you hold of your team members, your support staff, your children?

What expectations do you hold of yourself?

I fully agree that, in most cases, people live up to our expectations of them. In a similar vein, our experiences live up to our expectations as well. If you expect to have a crummy day, guess what? You’ll find evidence to support that belief and you will, indeed, have a crummy day.

As we approach Christmas and the new year, elevate your expectations. Give those you lead the resources to live up to your expectations, then believe in them.

While you’re at it, set expectations throughout your day as well: for a fruitful and efficient meeting, a conversation that deepens your connection, the effective completion of your top priority actions.

Believe, begin, become.

Have you ever raised your expectations and found yourself living up to them? Share your experience in the comments below, on Facebook, or via Twitter!

The ASPIRE Success Club holds your goals and dreams HIGH, and provides you the support to reach them! Click here to join us in 2014 – time is running out!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.

Now enrolling for the 2014 ASPIRE Success Club! Click here for details.

Poem Of Gratitude For Teachers

Christi Hegstad December 15th, 2013

While cleaning out files this weekend, I came across this poem I had written 5 years ago and presented at a conference for early childhood educators. I become more and more thankful for extraordinary teachers as my children grow. Thank you teachers – from early childhood to geriatric care and every phase of life in between!

ODE TO CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, EDUCATORS, AND ALL-AROUND MIRACLE WORKERS

by Christi Hegstad, Ph.D.

When you’re filling out paperwork and it asks for “occupation,”

I think yours may be one of the hardest in the nation

To try to classify in just a word or two.

“Teacher” or “Care Provider” doesn’t do justice to you!

You are child psychologists helping kids work through their troubles,

Creative geniuses mixing volcanic solutions and nontoxic bubbles;

Cooks devising healthy snacks in a way that’s fun to eat,

Leaders teaching skills that make responsibility seem like a treat;

Mind-readers and fortune-tellers predicting moods from day to day,

Energy infusers and calm soothers, knowing just the right words to say.

You’re doctors, nurses, and psychiatrists all rolled into one,

Sharing healthy, lifelong lessons in a way that makes learning fun.

You’re officers and mediators, rule creators and abiders,

Loving arms, tender voices, compassion-and-care providers,

Scientists and optimists, one-on-one communicators,

Listeners, idea fountains, and public orators.

But even more than that, you are people changing the world;

Generous beings impacting us all through our little boys and girls.

You are whole and lovely people with a gift given to only a few;

Thank you for sharing that gift with us. Thank you for all you do!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.

Now enrolling for the 2014 ASPIRE Success Club! Click here for details.

How To Make A Vision Board

Christi Hegstad December 13th, 2013

Maybe you’ve seen vision boards on the Oprah show or read about them in new age books. I’ll admit I knew about vision boards for years before I decided to make one; they seemed a bit too “woo-woo” to this data-driven professional!

About 7 years ago, however, I decided to give it a shot – and was instantly hooked. Now I make one every year as I refresh my vision and update my goals.

What Is A Vision Board?

A vision board is simply a physical representation – primarily in pictures – of your goals, values, dreams, and where you see yourself heading. It serves as a visual anchor, reminding you of your aspirations as you proceed through each day.

The photo to the right is a portion of a vision board I made a few years ago. You can create yours collage-style like this or in a more linear format, depending on your personal preferences.

How To Make A Vision Board

A quick Google Images search will lead you to countless vision board examples and techniques, but here’s what I recommend:

1. Clarify your goals for the year. Have your top-tier goals – along with your Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles, if you’ve discerned them – in front of you as you craft your board.

2. Clip photos that represent your goals. Magazines, the internet, greeting cards, brochures – all fair game!

3. Adhere your photos onto poster board. Keep your goals present and your intention high as you do so.

That’s it! I now also put my annual theme, as well as something to represent my faith (one of my Core Values), right in the middle of my board to keep me centered and grounded. You can make your board as detailed or simple as you’d like, but that’s really all there is to it!

How To USE Your Vision Board

Keep your board in a visible space where you’ll see it frequently. A great option: next to your bed, so it’s the first thing you view in the morning and the last thing at night.

As you look at it, take in the experience of joy, freedom, success, and whatever positive emotions your board represents for you. Let it center and inspire you.

I keep mine in my office and have found that if I start to question why I’m doing something or my focus begins to wander, my board reminds me of my purpose and brings me back to where I need to be.

Your vision board serves many important functions: it reminds you, in a picturesque way, who you are and who you strive to be; it keeps your goals present so you remain open to opportunity; and it encourages you to be thankful for all you’ve been blessed with as you move through your work and life.

Not so woo-woo after all. 🙂

Will you make a vision board before the new year? Share your ideas below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter – we’d love to know what you’re up to!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.

Now enrolling for the 2014 ASPIRE Success Club! Click here for details.

3 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Goals

Christi Hegstad December 10th, 2013

As we propel to the close of one year and gear up for the fresh start of the next, many of our thoughts turn to goals. What have you accomplished this year? What did you want to accomplish – but didn’t quite get there?

If your successes haven’t quite reached the level you had hoped, you may be sabotaging your achievement without even realizing it. Here are 3 sneaky but common ways you might be hindering your own success.

1. Setting Vague Goals.

I always tell my clients “fuzzy goals lead to fuzzy results.” The more clarity and specificity you can bring to your goal, the greater your likelihood for success. At its most basic, your goal will ideally answer two questions: “How much? By when?”

2. Confusing “Goals” With “Tactics.”

Maybe you acknowledge that increasing your prospecting calls will grow your business, but “Call 10 prospective clients each day” is not a goal – it’s a tactic. Your goal needs to be inspiring, encompassing, and motivate you into action. Calling 10 prospects each day could lead you to your goal of $1 million annual revenue or transforming the financial health of 120 new clients, for example.

3. Focusing on HOW too early.

How many times have you identified a goal, then quickly dismissed it because you had no idea how to make it happen? As you ponder your 2014 goals, focus on the WHAT. Once you become crystal clear on WHAT you want to create, the HOW becomes much more apparent. (And others can help you with that part!)

This may sound grandiose but it’s 100% true: goals change your life. When you uncover what’s worth striving for, set goals around it, and then actually reach those goals, your whole sense of self changes in ALL life areas. Let 2014 be the year you set, savor, and reach your most powerful, purposeful goals!

What goal would you love to accomplish in 2014? Share yours below, on Facebook, and via Twitter!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.

Now enrolling for the 2014 ASPIRE Success Club! Click here for details.

Identifying Your Breakthrough Goal

Christi Hegstad December 8th, 2013

CLARITY KICKSTART: December 9, 2013

“That’s what we mean by a breakthrough goal – something that changes your life, brings you new opportunities, gets you in front of the right people, and takes every activity, relationship, or group you’re involved in to a higher level. The achievement of that one big goal would change everything.”

~ Jack Canfield & Peter Chee

Coaching Tip For The Week:

What “one big goal” would change everything in 2014?

Many of our ASPIRE Success Club members are already pondering their Bold Goals for 2014, now that they’ve experienced and/or witnessed such Bold successes this year. The achievement of a Bold (or breakthrough) Goal can change the trajectory of your business – and your life!

This week, brainstorm a variety of goals that you’ve love to see to fruition in 2014. A great way to do this is to ask, “What would I like to say about myself at this time next year?”

From your brainstormed list, choose your Breakthrough Goal – the one that will improve all areas of your life when you achieve it. Let that be your guide for the rest of your goals in 2014!

What is one of your goals for 2014? Share below, on Facebook, or via Twitter!

Not sure how to choose your breakthrough goal? Get the “How To Choose” handout – and much more – in the Success Planning Workshop! Click here for details.

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches professionals to get unstuck and reach Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.

Top 10 1/2 Success Books Of 2013

Christi Hegstad December 2nd, 2013

I don’t always exercise or floss every day, but one daily habit I rarely skip is reading. If you love a good book that changes the way you think, act, or believe, take note! Here are my top 10 1/2 professional development reads this year, as well as a takeaway from each.

1. The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan. What matters most to you – and what are you going to do about it? A great resource for focusing in on the one thing that’s going to make the difference in your work and life.

2. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. Filled with experiences and lessons learned, this is an incredibly important book to remind us how we need to call ourselves – and those around us – up to our greatness. (Lean In is also one of our 2014 ASPIRE Success Club picks.)

3. Quiet by Susan Cain. Whether you are a manager, parent, teacher, or leader of another sort, you’ll bring out the best in others (and yourself) when you know their preferences and styles. Learn the differences, similarities, and unique advantages between introverts and extroverts, as well as how to gracefully lead and work with both.

4. The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle. If you think master athletes, musicians, business people, and other elites were born that way – think again. This book shows how deliberate practice, ignited environments, powerful coaches and other key factors determine mastery more than genes.

5. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. Research-based strategies shared by a very humorous author (his TED Talk is fantastic!) make this a great read! You’ll learn how to elevate your happiness and why this is critically important in the business world today.

6. The Four Disciplines of Execution by Stephen R. Covey & Chris McChesney. Quick: What is your Wildly Important Goal (WIG) and how are you eliminating the Whirlwind in order to reach it? If you can’t answer that, you’ll be able to – and excel at work – once you read this enlightening book.

7. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. I was surprised how taken I was by this book, since it sat on my shelf for some time before I was drawn to open it. Quit living steeped in fear and step into your greatness with the helpful insights from this excellent researcher. (Read my book summary and takeaways here.)

8. Mindset by Carol Dweck. Do you avoid activities where you might fail, or do you approach them with a learner’s attitude? Discover how your mindset affects everything you do, how to praise people to encourage further growth, and the importance of an expansive mindset in work, sports, parenting, and every other aspect of life.

9. Wonder by R. J. Palacio. Yes, a Young Adult novel made it onto the professional development list. The main character in this book is a role model for us all, as are many of his friends and relations. The principal’s speech at the end is outstanding.

10 1/2. Drop Dead Healthy by A.J. Jacobs and Blue Zones by Dan Buettner. To be successful at work, you need to be as healthy as possible, and these two books inspire and educate: Drop Dead Healthy with humor, Blue Zones with awe-inspiring interviewees. I now want a treadmill desk for my office!

What books would you add to the list?

Author Archives: Christi Hegstad