Top 12 Professional Development Books of 2012

Christi Hegstad December 5th, 2012

If your idea of fun includes a crackling fire, a hot drink, and a book that changes the way you think, work, or live, this list is for you! I’ve highlighted some of my favorite reads this year (though they were not necessarily published this year) – books that either changed my mindset, altered my behavior, or set off several proverbial lightbulbs as I read.

A couple of caveats: This list doesn’t include a) books that I’ve already reviewed on my blog, such as Switch and Start Something That Matters, and b) the 4 books The ASPIRE Success Club will read, discuss, and apply in 2013. All of those books, of course, would be included in the Top 12! Also, this list is in no particular order.

Enjoy – and be sure to add your suggestions below!

1. Thrive by Dan Buettner. He studied four of the happiest places in the world to find out what they’re doing right. I love the rich storytelling and applicable ideas.

2. Succeed by Heidi Grant Halvorson. A research-based look at goals, achievement, and motivation. I think I quoted from this book in nearly every ASPIRE call this year!

3. SoulSpace by Xorin Balbes. A delightful client of mine recommended this book which focuses on decluttering, elevating, and personalizing your home or office environment. Inspiring and peaceful.

4. The Freedom Formula by Christine Kloser. Uplifting content about being a conscious business owner – bridging the gap between soul and money. I’ve made this required reading for one of my mastermind groups.

5. Blissology by Andy Baggott. A random picked-off-the-bookstore-shelf selection that won me over! A unique perspective on happiness from a healer/acupuncturist’s point of view.

6. Bossypants by Tina Fey. While maybe not a professional development book per se, Tina is a great example of an intelligent woman succeeding at doing what she loves – and being able to see (and share) the humor in it all.

7. Being Strategic by Erika Anderson. A terrific strategic planning resource with very practical ideas and insightful case studies to support them. Great for business owners and leaders, and could even be applied to strategic life planning.

8. The Hidden Messages in Water by Masaru Emoto. The photos – along with the premise – place this book on the list. It’s all about the kindness, love, gratitude, and how we can heal our planet by raising our consciousness.

9. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy. Perhaps embarrassing to admit (especially to my MN Vikings fan husband!), I had no idea who Tony Dungy was when I picked this up at the library. I quickly grew to appreciate his calm leadership approach and his refreshing perspective on priorities.

10. The Firestarter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte. Another random pick written in a fun, almost poetic, way. The central theme – pursuing your passion and finding meaning by doing what you love – makes this a winner in my eyes.

11. Onward by Howard Schulz. I’ve read several Starbucks-related books and continue to be intrigued by the company and its philosophy. While I don’t necessarily agree with everything this book offers, it does share some great business lessons about holding your vision and staying true to your beliefs.

12. Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Like Tina Fey’s Bossypants, this is actually a memoir and probably not intended for the professional development genre. It’s an engaging story about one woman’s quest to find answers to some of life’s great questions amid huge life transitions. The themes of strength, courage, and finding oneself really resonated.

The year isn’t over, and I’ve still got a stack to read…as well as about 10 more that could’ve made this list. 🙂 Don’t be surprised if you see an addendum soon (is that allowed in blogging?!).

In the meantime, please tell us – what have YOU read this year?

There Are No Ordinary Moments

Christi Hegstad December 3rd, 2012

“There are no ordinary moments.” ~ Dan Millman

How often do you savor the moment?

Much of our action seems mundane: you wake up, you brush your teeth, you drive to work, you make calls. Ho-hum.

But what if you chose to make these mundane moments extraordinary? How might that change your approach to life?

This week, choose something that you do on a routine basis – your commute, or perhaps preparing dinner – and make it extraordinary. Pay attention to the details, focus on the purpose of the act (“I am nourishing my family by preparing this meal”), ask yourself how you can elevate the experience.

You’ll find that success and joy live even in – sometimes, especially in – the small moments of work and life.

If you want to receive a Clarity Kickstart – quote + quick coaching tip – in your in-box each Monday, sign up here. It’s free!

7 End-of-Year Rituals For a Fresh Start

Christi Hegstad November 30th, 2012

For many professionals, December (which, believe it or not, begins tomorrow!) brings a slower workload. It’s therefore a terrific time to enact some final to-do’s to close out another powerful year. Creating year-end rituals can make these actions both celebratory and impactful. Here are 7 ideas to consider:

Purge Your File Cabinet. Clear away the outdated and unnecessary paperwork, archive older reference files, and free up space for fresh, new opportunities.
Document Your Successes. Never start your new year’s goals until you’ve celebrated your current year’s success! Many of my clients document their wins all year long in a Success Journal. If you haven’t tracked your successes throughout the year, set aside some time this month to reflect and make your list.
Thank Your Top Clients. In his Nov. 28 blog, marketing guru Drew McLellan suggests sending handwritten thank-you notes to your top 5 customers. You could extend this to vendors and colleagues, too. I once worked with a client who knitted scarves for her staff for Christmas – talk about a personal and meaningful thank-you!
Rearrange Your Office. Give your office a thorough cleaning, a new coat of paint, and whatever touchups are necessary. If possible, rearrange the furniture and decor to encourage a fresh flow of ideas, too.
Line Up Your Professional Development. Now is the time to enroll for training, hire a coach, and join or renew your group memberships for 2013. Make sure you update your professional profiles while you’re at it.
Book Your January Calendar. Are your prospects telling you they won’t take action until after the holidays? Set up your January meetings now so you can hit the ground running when you turn the calendar. Darren Hardy, publisher of Success magazine, credits his prior real estate success to this strategy – he booked his entire January calendar throughout December, which set his sales miles above the rest by January 15.
Assess Your Lessons Learned. Cull your notes from the conferences, classes, and webinars you’ve attended throughout the year, as well as the books you’ve read. Summarize your key learnings and set your top 3-5 action steps. Knowledge is great, but knowledge plus implementation makes you unstoppable.

For an added sense of ritual, you can create a little “ceremony” around any of these activities: light a candle, pour a fresh cup of coffee, or purchase a special leather-bound journal for those successes and key learnings. A small touch can elevate an ordinary activity to an extraordinary event.

Which one of these rituals will you activate? Or what new ideas can you offer? Post your comments below or on our Facebook page!

Top 3 Tips For Achieving Your Bold Goal

Christi Hegstad November 29th, 2012

Every town has an organization that makes a difference in such a meaningful way that you can’t help but admire – and be humbled by – it. In central Iowa, one such organization is Amanda the Panda (ATP), a not-for-profit offering support for families grieving the loss of a loved one. Their mission is simple, significant, and changes lives.

Charlie, the executive director of ATP, joined The ASPIRE Success Club this year and set a BOLD goal: to secure a stand-alone site to house ATP.

Charlie knew this was a significant stretch goal – but also knew how it would help her team more effectively support the many families that come through their doors. She clearly connected her goal to their overall vision.

She also knew not to “go it alone” and relied on the accountability, idea-sharing, and cheerleading that ASPIRE provides.

At each monthly ASPIRE meeting, Charlie’s progress was up…then down as something fell through. Then up as another prospective site came up…then down. And each month, her fellow members supported, encouraged, and offered suggestions.

Last week, Charlie posted the following on our ASPIRE discussion forum:

“I am excited to share that Amanda the Panda has a new home! My bold goal was to make progress on purchasing a stand-alone dedicated grief center. Well, the Maddie Levitt and Susan Glazer Burt Foundations made it a reality with their amazing gift. GDMLI also selected Amanda the Panda’s proposal (out of 25) to help renovate the center! The power of positive thinking, positive talk, and keeping focused on the goal! We hope to move by April.”

And Charlie’s not alone. We’ve had members this year become published writers, double their incomes, and run their first 5k races. One grew her joyful side business to such a success point that she left her day job; another created a measurable sense of balance in her busy life…the list goes on and on.

To encourage your achievements, ASPIRE members share these 3 tips that helped them significantly in their journeys this year:

Get support. Join a group, hire a coach, find a trusted accountability partner. “Knowing I’ll be reporting back to a group has made a big difference for me,” said ASPIRE member Dianna.
Proceed step by step. It’s insufficient (not to mention overwhelming) to simply state the Bold Goal. You need to know what you’re doing this month, this week, today that’s moving you closer.
Surround yourself with uplifting people. Don’t seek out the naysayers and critics – they can find you easily enough 🙂 Do seek out inspiring, positive people who believe in you and want to see you succeed.

As a coach, for example, I am only successful when my client succeeds – so I am 100% invested in their success. These are the types of relationships you want to cultivate when striving for something bold!

Does Charlie’s win inspire you? As we approach the close of 2012, seek out more stories like Charlie’s and our other ASPIRE members to give your motivation a bit of extra “oomph.” Ask your fellow goal-oriented colleagues, read biographies, listen to podcasts. Use others’ successes to buoy your own.

And before the year is up, you have one more assignment: secure support now for your 2013 goals. Then you can relax into the holidays knowing that next year is your year to SHINE.

Takeaways From MANDELA’S WAY by Richard Stengel

Christi Hegstad November 27th, 2012

Surely you’ve heard about Nelson Mandela – but how much do you really know about him? Before reading Mandela’s Way by Richard Stengel, my knowledge on the man was fairly low. After reading it, I feel like we could be friends.

In this authorized biography (Nelson Mandela wrote the forward), Richard Stengel sheds a great deal of light on the thoughts, inspiration, and purpose behind the legend’s experience. Through interesting stories and rich interview details, we find out how Mandela could survive – and thrive – amidst his unfathomable 27-year imprisonment in South Africa.

Among his 15 lessons:

Look The Part. You need to carry yourself in the way you want to be perceived by others, otherwise known as “impression management.” Mandela is a man of incredible discipline: while imprisoned, he ran in place for 45 minutes a day, followed by 200 situps and 100 fingertip pushups! But he also makes efforts to cultivate the idea that he is a man of discipline. He wants others to perceive him that way, so he lives accordingly.

Know When To Say No. “Nelson Mandela is not a man of maybes.” Saying no is not always easy – and we tend to forget that No is a complete sentence. Avoid ambiguity and making excuses. Say No when necessary, without muddying it up with justifications and excuses.

Find Your Garden. Although it was unheard of, Mandela was able to convince his captors to allow him to create a small garden patch while in prison. He grew vegetables which were then shared with fellow inmates, guards, and superiors. He pursued his garden primarily so he would have a private space in which to quiet his mind – something he encourages us all to do.

One of my favorite lines from the book speaks to our ability to live positive, look-for-the-best lives that are based in reality:

“It’s not that Mandela does not see the dark side of others, it’s that he is unwilling to see only that. He chooses to look past the negative for two reasons: because he instinctively sees the good in people and because he intellectually believes that seeing the good in others might actually make them better. If you expect more of people, they often contribute more.”

Whether you’re relatively new to Nelson Mandela or have followed his politics for years, this book will illuminate some of his most profound lessons that he admittedly learned during his extended imprisonment. He encourages us to have a ‘core principle’ – to know what is so important that we’re willing to fight for it – and then to proceed through life as planful, compassionate, high-integrity people.

How To Use Your Clarity Kickstart

Christi Hegstad November 26th, 2012

Every Monday morning for nearly 4 years, we’ve sent a Clarity Kickstart – a free inspirational quote and coaching tip which can be read in 3 minutes or less. What began as a Monday morning “boost” has taken on a life of its own, with readers emailing what an impact the Clarity Kickstart made in their work or life that week. We love to hear it!

While reading the tip can make a difference in and of itself, we have found – like with any development tool – the greatest benefit comes when you put it into action.

Think of the conferences you’ve attended: no matter how inspired you become by the speakers and content, if you return to your desk and simply file your notes away, you won’t experience as much of an impact as if you begin implementing even one of your takeaway ideas.

Over the years, many of you have shared how you *use* your Clarity Kickstarts each week. As we approach our 200th edition, this seems a fitting time to share some of these ideas:

1. Print & Post. Many of you have mentioned that you print the Clarity Kickstart and post it visibly: on your wall, desktop, bulletin board, or monitor. The combination of the helpful tips and beautiful photographs makes this an alluring option!

2. Share With Others. Why not post Clarity Kickstarts in your break room at work or, like a few readers share, right in the kitchen so you (and your family) see it first thing each morning? You can also share the message by intentionally living the principle or example given.

3. Take Action. Each Clarity Kickstart includes an action challenge; for example, last week – in honor of Thanksgiving – I encouraged you to write and send one thank-you note, ideally to someone not expecting it. We regularly hear from readers who have taken the recommended action and want to share the result (which, again, we love to hear!).

The most common message regarding the Clarity Kickstarts is, “Your message was exactly what I needed to hear this week – it’s like you wrote it just for me.” As much as I’d like to take credit for knowing what you need when you need it, I must instead give this honor to serendipity, a Higher Power, and YOU – for being open to the words you need to hear.

Thank you for sharing how Clarity Kickstarts have impacted you – and please keep those emails coming! If you don’t yet receive our weekly gift, simply click here to sign up (it’s free!). It seems only fitting to close with a quote:

“More important than the quest for certainty is the quest for clarity.” ~ Gautier

A Thanksgiving Experiment

Christi Hegstad November 19th, 2012

This month, your Facebook home feed is probably speckled with people expressing gratitude. Many folks post a note of thanks each day throughout the month of November; others offer special appreciation as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. I love all the reminders for gratitude, especially for the small joys.

This reminds me of an experiment I did a couple years ago. Inspired in part by the book 29 Gifts by Cami Walker, I decided to embark on a month of gratitude. My goal: to send one handwritten thank-you card every day for an entire month.

In order to make this do-able, I set a few guidelines for myself, such as allowing each card to include just 3 sentences. I had a stack of thank-you cards and stamped envelopes at the ready. And I decided that rather than make a list (my typical nature) of people to thank, I would simply write to whomever popped into my mind on any given day.

What a life-changing experiment!

Some days I thanked people who had sent gifts, cards, or emails that touched me. I thanked family members for their important roles in my life. I thanked former teachers, service workers, clients, volunteers, people involved in my kids’ growth… Not surprisingly, I never ran out of people to thank.

While I didn’t expect to hear back from people, I must admit I was humbled by responses I received. A former English teacher whom I thanked for encouraging my writing (and with whom I hadn’t talked in 20 years) sent a beautiful email thanking me for my thank-you (!) and updating me on his life.

A college friend said my note came at the perfect time – she was having “one of those days” and so appreciated the boost.

Another recipient said she intended to continue the cycle of gratitude by sending a note of thanks to a basketball coach who had made a difference in her life.

At the close of that month, I felt truly uplifted. And since most recipients did not respond, I concluded that joy truly does come from the act of giving – not receiving.

I have since tried to make quick, handwritten thank-you notes part of my weekly routine. It takes so little time (especially with the 3-sentence rule!) and brightens up my week, and hopefully brings a smile to someone else’s face, too.

In today’s Clarity Kickstart email, I suggest writing one thank-you this week. Maybe to someone not expecting it, or even an anonymous message of thanks to someone who has positively impacted your life. You’ll feel the benefits as soon as you put pen to paper, and your recipient will glow. It’s truly win-win! 🙂

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

~John F. Kennedy

3 Tips To Expansion

Christi Hegstad November 16th, 2012

Yesterday our ASPIRE Success Club met for a teleseminar on the topic of Expansion vs. Contraction. In a nutshell, expansion is a mindset that believes in abundance, appreciation, and living big. It’s like taking a deep breath, opening your arms, and welcoming all of life (see photo below!).

The opposite of expansion? Scarcity. Constriction. Fear, tightness, clinging. In other words, no fun.

A few years ago, I set Expansion as my theme for the year (I’ll write more on annual themes in an upcoming blog). I wanted to expand in all areas of my life except, as I clearly declared, in my waistline. 🙂

Surprisingly, this turned out to be one of the most powerful themes I’ve ever set – and I’ve set themes for about 10 years now. Below I share 3 tips for expanding your sense of possibility so you can work and live in bigger, bolder ways.

Believe in abundance. Do you trust that there is enough business to go around? How about money, joy, love? Step #1 in living an expansive life lies right here. Operating from an expansive perspective means collaborating vs. competing, sharing vs. hoarding, and – to quote the phrase I’ve heard 3 times this week already – having faith that’s greater than your fear. (Message received, universe!)

Surround yourself with expansive people. Deliberately spend time with those who inspire you and open your eyes to a greater sense of possibility. I even have expansion role models who motivate me to become a better business owner, mom, friend, person.

Choose expansion. When it comes down to it, expansion is really all about your mindset – how you choose to approach life. Choose in favor of expansion: expect the best, look for the lesson, seek solutions instead of focusing on problems.

The Dalai Lama advises, “Whatever you are doing, ask yourself, ‘What’s the state of my mind?'” This week, let’s all set a mindset of expansion – at work, with our families, in our communities. Pay attention not only to how this impacts you, but the ripple effect it has on others. Maybe we’ll inspire a whole movement of living BIGGER in 2013!

Your Mantra To Work (& Live) By

Christi Hegstad November 13th, 2012

We often hear of people using a mantra to “center” themselves, perhaps during meditation or a frightening time. Have you ever considered adopting a mantra to work – and live – by, at any time?

A couple of years ago, I found myself waffling in indecision more than I’d like. I’m a researcher at heart, so I can read and study and make lists and…on and on until I either irritate myself (and likely those around me!) or, disappointingly, the opportunity passes. As the saying goes, by not choosing, you are making a choice.

Around that time, I adopted a new mantra: Decide & Take Action. Rather than going back and forth endlessly, I wanted to conduct the necessary homework, then make a decision. I’m always amazed at how liberating simply *deciding* can be!

The second part of that mantra – “Take Action” – took care of any “buyer’s remorse” that might arise. Once I made the decision, I moved forward with it. I accepted it as my decision and got on with it.

What a boon this mantra has been in my life since! That’s not to say decisions always come easy now – but this gives me a guideline and a plan for movement.

Nike provided us with a mantra that many still use: Just Do It. Author and seminar leader Barbara Winter recently told me she has used the mantra, Work With The Willing, in her business for years. You can probably conjure up several examples of mantras, too.

You don’t have to commit to a mantra forever – it might simply serve you for a short while or during a certain chapter in your life. For whatever reason, I feel like my mantra right now is “Shoot for the moon, land among the stars.” Give this idea some thought this week and see what mantra might serve you best right now – and feel free to share your ideas below!

Start Something That Matters

Christi Hegstad November 9th, 2012

Imagine starting a shoe business in which, for every pair you sold, you gave a pair away to someone in need. While it sounds wonderful, it’s not a sustainable business model…or is it?

Blake Mycoskie dreamed up this idea after a trip to South America, where he saw many children who couldn’t afford shoes to protect their little feet from the elements. In 2006, he founded TOMS Shoes, a business designed to provide consumers with quality shoes and donate just as many to those children in need.

His business model is simple: One For One. For every pair sold, a pair is donated.

While he encountered his fair share of naysayers (“It will never work,” “You’ll put yourself out of business”), Blake carried his vision high and honored his underlying mission. Within 5 years, TOMS had given more than a million pairs of shoes to children in need.

Start Something That Matters shares Blake’s journey from idea-conception to today, where TOMS is a thriving, socially responsible business making a difference. Three of my takeaways from this book:

Know Your Mission. A mission statement is a succinct tool that can guide every decision you make and action you take. Creating a mission statement is one of my favorite topics to coach people on because it’s such a game-changer! “I didn’t have to compartmentalize any of my life’s ambitions: personal, professional, or philanthropic,” writes Blake. “They all converged in a single mission.”

Think Big, Start Small. While we often crave the dramatic overhaul, “small improvements made every day will lead to massive improvement overall.” Capture your vision, then break it into manageable pieces that you can move on daily.

Plan Your Giving. Rather than scattering your giving, or donating only when you feel you have extra money, incorporate philanthropy into your strategy. You can do this as a business owner, an employee, and an individual. When we streamlined our giving as a family several years ago, we found we were able to make a more significant contribution to the causes we cared most about, and in a much more sustainable way.

The examples and practical action steps shared in Start Something That Matters will leave you feeling inspired, optimistic, and motivated to act. You’ll probably also want to order your pair of TOMS shoes – and know that you’re making a difference. 🙂

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