Hurdles In Your Goals

Christi Hegstad November 8th, 2022

Some goals feel like a sprint, some like a marathon.

Some feel like both, with a bunch of hurdles thrown in, too!

When it comes to achieving goals, obstacles are more ‘when’ than ‘if.’

Fortunately, you have options when faced with them.

You can start by asking yourself a few questions:

What does the ideal outcome look like? How will it feel to reach?

Why is this goal important? Why did I set it?

When have I encountered a similar obstacle in the past? What helped me through it?

Consider asking these types of questions even before, ‘What do I do next?’ They can help boost your motivation, re-clarify the big picture, and remind you why it all matters.

You can then determine how best to jump your hurdle, or remove it from your path, or create a new way around it.

What do you find helpful when you encounter an obstacle on the way to your goal? Share your ideas below!

Doors are now open for the ASPIRE Bold Goal Academy and the ASPIRE Success Club! Join one of these powerful programs while space is available!

Monthly Review – October ’22 Lessons Learned

Christi Hegstad November 7th, 2022

In addition to the reminder that time flies, October brought me a host of lessons. Here are few that stood out:

1. Decluttering creates space in more ways than just physically.

2. Intentional silence and solitude can be so good for the soul – and the creative muscle.

3. Even with planning, excitement, and years of preparation, significant life changes still require some adjusting.

4. It’s time to revive some Big Dreams + Bold Goals!

5. It all counts. Even if it seems small, insignificant, or unseen.

(Oh, and did I mention how time flies?)

Can you relate to any of these? What reminder or new lesson did you gain in October?

Doors are now open for the ASPIRE Bold Goal Academy and the ASPIRE Success Club! Join one of these powerful programs while space is available!

When Everything Is Important

Christi Hegstad November 6th, 2022

There’s a saying I heard many years ago that made me pause:

“If everything is important, then nothing is important.”

I remember looking at my roles, responsibilities, and to-do list at the time and thinking, “But everything here is important!”

Which may be true – but they are not all equally important, all the time.

That’s when I really started implementing my Daily Top 3 habit, and what a difference it has made.

This week, experiment with the Daily Top 3.

In the morning (or the night before), look at your goals for the week and your to-do’s for the day. Ask yourself, ‘Even if the day goes completely haywire, what are 3 things I definitely want to complete before my head hits the pillow?’

Separate those 3 things from the rest of your list – maybe handwriting them on a sticky note that stays in your line of vision.

Then, if possible, schedule specific times during the day to address those 3 items. (Also if possible, try to complete them early in the day.)

Since the likelihood of getting every single thing on your list done every single day might be slim, prioritizing your Top 3 can be an excellent way to still close out the day feeling fulfilled, satisfied, and knowing you dedicated energy to things that truly matter to you.

For a limited time, doors are open for our next term of the ASPIRE Bold Goal Academy and the ASPIRE Success Club – and we’ll be focusing on the topic of PRIORITIES! Join one of these powerful programs while space is available!

When You Want Something Different – But Don’t Know What

Christi Hegstad November 5th, 2022

“I know I want something different, I just don’t know what that is.”

Oh, if I had a nickel for each time a coaching client said that.

And often with some embarrassment: “Shouldn’t I know this by now?”

Or even guilt or shame: “On paper, everything is fine – but why am I not content?”

First, you have permission to feel what you feel.

Second, you’ve never been this age before. You’ve never been in these exact life circumstances before. You’ve never lived in this time before. So if you’re a bit muddled or confused, cut yourself some slack.

We probably all are, to some extent!

Plus, it means you’re growing – an experience nearly always accompanied by some level of uncertainty and discomfort. Worthwhile uncertainty and discomfort, but still.

If you know you want something to change but don’t know what, consider asking yourself a few questions:

What would you love to do – or do more of – if you had unlimited time, money, and/or courage?

What’s working right now?

What do you find yourself particularly drawn to these days, even if you don’t know why? (Think article topics, podcast episodes, conversations you must be a part of…)

These questions, and ones like them, can help you begin to focus on where you might be headed – without the pressure of one single right answer.

They also help you dwell on possibility rather than ‘What’s wrong with me?’ or ‘Why can’t I figure this out?’

Start with noticing – what draws your attention, what lights you up.

Relieve yourself from the pressure of finding one right answer, and allow yourself to be curious instead.

From there, and especially with the help of a qualified coach, you can start to create a path forward – one that aligns with your values and supports your strengths, passions, and gifts.

Where will that path lead? Maybe to a different career, a new hobby, or meaningful volunteer work.

Maybe somewhere completely different.

It’s ok to not always know.

(Yes, achievers, this applies to you – and me – too. 🙂 )

You may not know now, but trust that – with a sense of curiosity and an openness to exploration – you will.

Don’t let the not-knowing hold you back from the joy of discovery!

Doors are now open for our next term of the ASPIRE Bold Goal Academy and the ASPIRE Success Club! Join one of these powerful programs while space is available!

Deciding What Matters

Christi Hegstad November 4th, 2022

Have you ever spent an entire afternoon decluttering a drawer that no one but you will ever see?

Or felt super satisfied by the smallest ‘invisible’ win – like getting all your groceries in the house in one trip? (Yes, I am also that person who will have bags all the way up my arms just to save myself an extra trip!)

I’ve spent a fair amount of time doing things no one else will ever know, or care, about.

Cleaning up inactive email addresses in my newsletter database.

Writing drafts of articles that may never see the light of day.

Dusting and reorganizing my bookshelves.

Some might ask, if it’s not seen by others, then does it matter?

(And by that standard, since I haven’t posted anything on most of my social media for nearly a year, could one argue that the vast majority of what I do doesn’t matter?)

But you know what?

Maybe if it matters to you, then it matters. Period.

If integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is looking,

maybe fulfillment is doing something important to you whether or not others see, or know, or care,

and still viewing it as time well spent.

I wholeheartedly believe in acknowledging others’ efforts and accomplishments, and giving / receiving credit where it’s due – that’s not what I’m talking about here.

But if you minimize your tiny wins or hidden achievements because ‘they don’t really matter anyway,’ I encourage you to think again.

Clearing out that drawer might actually lead to clarity on a decision you need to make or a fresh idea you want to pursue.

That little groceries-in-one-trip experience might bring a smile to your face – a smile you’ll surely pass on to someone else.

Maybe we get to decide what matters.

And maybe it all matters.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

When Are You At Your BEST?

Christi Hegstad November 3rd, 2022

When was the last time you went to bed feeling fulfilled, purposeful, and satisfied with the day?

When was the last time you went to bed feeling pretty much the opposite?

Some days are awesome, some days not so much. How do you increase the odds in your favor?

I believe this involves asking ourselves an important question:

When am I at my BEST?

From there, we can discern clues, find factors, and create environments that support more awesome days. We can’t control everything, but we don’t have to leave everything completely up to chance, either.

In the general sense, medical research has shown us we tend to feel and operate at our best when we get enough sleep, eat nutritious foods, and move our bodies.

Beyond that, I’ve discovered some factors that contribute to me, personally, feeling and operating at my best. For example:

I’m growing or learning.

My space is uncluttered.

I am practicing gratitude, either verbally or in my journal.

I have both peaceful and productive activities planned.

I’m engaging in meaningful conversation.

Those are a few of the factors that contribute to me being at my best. I try to structure my days accordingly to the extent possible. And when I’m having an ‘off’ day, I can turn to my list and see what might be missing.

When are you at your best?

Brainstorm factors that contribute to the optimum you.

Then put them into practice as much as you can.

You may soon find your awesome days starting to outweigh the rest!

October ’22 Reading Wrap-up

Christi Hegstad November 2nd, 2022

Thank you, October, for your beautiful leaves, cooler temperatures, and insightful reading!

I read a total of five books in October – one fiction, four nonfiction – bringing my total for the year so far to 82 books.

Three of my five books this month were ok. I gain something from everything I read, so even though they weren’t ‘the books for me,’ I learned from them and am glad I read them.

Two others, however, really resonated with me – The Overstory by Richard Powers (fiction) and World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil (nonfiction) – so those are the ones I’ll shine a light on today!

The Overstory by Richard Powers

This is my second book by Powers and I can definitely see why he’s won so many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Beautiful and devastating, The Overstory shines a light on the amazing properties of trees and their importance in our world. A compelling narrative, a unique cast of characters, and a blend of optimism / concern all make this a worthwhile read. I like this book even more as time passes and will continue to seek out Powers’ backlist.

World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

One of my favorite bookish moments is when a random pick off the library shelf turns into a surprise hit! That’s how World of Wonders worked for me. Each essay in this collection highlights a particular plant or animal and includes a bit of memoir along the way as well. Nezhukumatathil’s beautiful prose, rich descriptions, and knowledge of and appreciation for nature had me spellbound. Toward the end of my reading experience, I discovered that she is also a poet, and her word choices and rhythms really demonstrate this. Beautiful book!

My recent nature- and science-writing kick continues this month with The Soul Of An Octopus – I am about halfway through and predict I’ll be raving about this one in my next reading wrap-up!

What have you read recently that made an impact on you? Share your title(s) below!

Ideas And Tips For Your November Daily Challenge

Christi Hegstad November 1st, 2022

Are you setting a daily challenge for the month?

Perhaps it’s the ‘final push’ feeling before year-end, the popularity of initiatives like NaNoWriMo, or simply the shortened month; regardless, November seems to have become the time for committing to a daily challenge.

I am all for it!

Ideas For Your Daily Challenge

Place yourself at the end of the month for a moment. About what would you love to say, “I am so glad I did that every day this month!”? That’s probably the best place to start when choosing your daily challenge.

If you need ideas, though, here are some to get you started:

Daily Creation – A few paragraphs added to your book project, for example, or a few stitches added to your needlework.

Daily Stretching – This could be a 3-minute practice as you get out of bed or a brief yoga session before dinner.

Daily Connection – One November, I mailed a card a day – to my former high school teacher, a past client, a long-distant family member – and it felt fantastic on so many levels!

Daily Comment – Add a thoughtful contribution to someone’s LinkedIn post, for example.

Daily Delight – For nearly three years now, I’ve recorded a Daily Delight – essentially one meaningful or smile-producing moment per day. I started this practice in 2020 and don’t envision it ending anytime soon!

What action, if done daily for the next month, would enhance your personal or professional development? What would help you close the month feeling a sense of achievement or more fully engaged?

Tips For Success

Once you’ve decided to commit to a daily challenge, here are a few tips to successfully see it through:

Keep It Simple – You’re probably more likely to stick to something that takes just a few moments than an action that requires extensive time, planning, or coordination.

Schedule It In – Add it to your daily planner – especially at the start!

Track It – Consider creating a chart or habit tracker that you can update daily. (Several apps exist with this function as well, but I love the paper-and-pen satisfaction!)

You may also find an accountability group or partner helpful. I build regular check-in opportunities into many of my coaching engagements and group programs for this added motivation and support.

Are you feeling the pull to incorporate a daily challenge into your month? Share your commitment below so we can cheer you on!

Crowding Out The Obstacles

Christi Hegstad October 31st, 2022

For the past several years, and for a variety of reasons, I have made an effort to decrease the amount of meat I consume.

I have implemented a number of strategies to help: Finding delicious meatless recipes, for example, and experimenting with alternatives.

But do you know what has probably made the biggest difference?

Crowding it out.

Basically, I have formed the habit of filling my plate full of vegetables first. So much so, there’s hardly any room left for meat.

It’s fairly easy.

It’s still a tasty and filling meal.

I can do this whether I am dining at home or at a friend’s house.

For all of these reasons, I tend to follow through pretty well with my goal of consuming less meat.

And it’s got me thinking how we can transfer this strategy to other goals, too.

For example, want to create more original work, and look less at what other people are creating?

Maybe commit to creating first, then scrolling to see what others are doing only afterwards.

You might find you get lost in your own project, crowding out time spent worrying on what others are up to.

This ‘crowding out’ method won’t necessarily apply to all goals, and not necessarily all the time.

But it’s definitely something worth considering on the path to achievement.

How might you expand what you want more of, thereby crowding out what you want less of?

What Does Your ‘Inner Achiever’ Need?

Christi Hegstad October 30th, 2022

Different seasons of life call for different approaches to our personal growth.

I have really experienced this with one of my goals this year. What worked so well earlier in the year started feeling restrictive and discouraging by the time summer rolled around.

In times like those, is it best to persevere? Adjust our methods? Quit?

It depends, of course. But we can nearly always benefit from some reflection.

This week, ask yourself what you most need.

Consider what you want to achieve by year-end.

Does it require taking big actions, or small consistent steps?

Would it benefit from detailed tracking, or a more free-flowing approach?

Are you craving outer support and connection, or inward quiet and reflection?

Pay attention to what you need in this season, and honor it the best you can.

And if you want to hear how things are turning out with my aforementioned goal, you can read about it here!

Doors open to two powerful programs later this week – subscribe to our newsletter to get all the details!

Author Archives: Christi Hegstad

Ideas For Your Daily Challenge

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