CHRISTI HEGSTAD PH.D.

Author Archives: Christi Hegstad

Questions To Ask When Investing In Your Growth

Christi Hegstad October 28th, 2020

I distinctly remember the first conference I attended as a professional.

As a new business owner and a young mom, a lot of coordinating had to take place: arranging child care, securing travel accommodations, finding the funds … it felt exciting and overwhelming all at once!

Upon my return home at the end of the event, my husband asked how it went. “It was fine,” I replied, “but not really what I expected.”

“What were you expecting?” he asked, quite logically.

I had no answer.

To be perfectly honest, I hadn’t really given the conference much forethought beyond the logistics.

What did I intend to walk away with? What did I hope to gain? And, most importantly, what was I going to do to ensure that happened?

No idea.

I realized at that moment that, in the future, I needed to be intentional about what I wanted to gain from any professional development experience. I could still be open to unexpected delights, of course, but I didn’t want to experience the aimlessness or fuzzy disappointment I did that first time around.

I have since applied this important step whether attending conferences, hiring coaches, enrolling in courses or certifications, or making any kind of commitment of my time and/or money. And since we are about to launch enrollment into the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club, I thought sharing a bit of my process might be helpful for you, too. All it requires is a brief pause and a few questions:

What do I most hope to gain from this experience?

It sounds so basic, but the nuances here are important: Sometimes you might enroll in a program for regular interaction with like-minded people, other times to advance your learning or achieve a Bold Goal, and yet other times because it provides continuing education credits in your field. Your response to this question may very well differ with each program / event / coach!

Where do I want to be a year from now, and how might this experience help me get there?

Reflect on your goals, both personal and professional, and consider how the program may help you achieve them. You’ll gain more from the experience when you feel you’re aligning your time with your future vision.

What am I willing to do to ensure this is an excellent experience?

I no longer enroll in things simply to be a name on a roster or to make my resume look good. If my goal is to advance my learning, I am going to take good notes; if it’s to build relationships with other members, I’m going to reach out and connect. Take your growth into your own hands – it’s actually quite liberating!

What is my gut telling me?

As much as the researcher in me loves data, most decisions really come down to this question: How do I feel? There have been times – many times, in fact – where I couldn’t state clear responses to the previous questions, but I felt so excited and optimistic and enthused by the potential experience that I said YES and figured it out later. The more you learn to listen to your gut, the more accurate you will find it. (It has taken me years to discover this!)

As you line up your professional development for the coming year, ask yourself a few questions to ensure a fruitful experience. And remember, whether you’re hiring your next coach, applying for grad school, or enrolling in the ASPIRE Success Club,  you are investing in your present and future self – and that’s a worthwhile investment indeed!

Enrollment to the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club opens on November 1! Join us for an entire year of clarity, community, and coaching – limited space available! 

 

Serving Powerfully – Whether One or One Million

Christi Hegstad October 25th, 2020

Focus on the person in front of you. Ask yourself, “How can I serve this person so powerfully that they never forget this experience for the rest of their life?” – Steve Chandler + Rich Litvin

I have the above question written on a sticky note on my office wall.
Before every coaching call or ASPIRE meeting, I take a deep breath and set this ‘powerful service’ as my intention.
In fact, one of my ongoing intentions in life is that people – whether clients, family, friends, or strangers – walk away from an encounter with me feeling better, stronger, and/or more understood than when the encounter began.
Entering a conversation with this focus can change the entire experience!
This week, serve powerfully.
Ask yourself how you can serve someone so powerfully that the experience leaves them changed for the better.
Does it involve being 100% present?
Does it mean asking what they most need from the conversation?
Does it require deep, active listening?
You don’t have to speak to a group of 10,000 people in order to make a massive difference in the world. Practice focusing on the person right in front of you, and set that magical ripple effect into motion!
Enrollment to the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club opens on November 1! Join us for an entire year of clarity, community, and coaching – limited space available! 

Make A Decision Already!

Christi Hegstad October 22nd, 2020
The title of this article comes from words I would often say to myself, and not in the kindest tone, years ago.
At the time, I could waffle in indecision with the best of ’em:
I’d research possibilities endlessly, resulting in a pile of notes and a hefty case of analysis paralysis.
Or I’d ask ten different people what they would do and end up, of course, with ten different answers.
Or I’d finally make a decision (hooray!), only to spend hours (days, weeks) second-guessing myself and wondering if I made the right choice.
It was utterly and completely exhausting!
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Decision-Making 2.0

Even the most confident among us struggle at times with decision-making – and in vastly different ways.
Some can make business decisions in seconds but agonize over their next lawn furniture purchase.
Others can quickly and confidently decide to move the family across the country for a new job, then spend six months and countless swatches deciding what color to paint their office.
Wherever you wrestle with indecision, consider these ideas:

Consult Your Purpose.

When I look at anything through the lens of my purpose, which is steeped in my core values, I feel like a ship captain who has spotted a lighthouse on a foggy night. If you have a Purpose Statement, use it as your decision-making filter. (If you don’t have one, let’s chat!)

Create A Helpful Guiding Principle.

Around the time I wrote my Purpose Statement, I also adopted a brief set of Guiding Principles – quick ‘life reminders’ to keep front-and-center. Principle #1 for me was, and still is, Decide And Take Action. This simple statement helps me do the necessary homework, make a decision, then take an action in favor of that decision.

Review Your Personal History.

Look at decisions you’ve made in the past that turned out excellent. What patterns do you notice in your decision-making process? What feeling comes over you when you know you’ve made a strong choice? Your own past experience can provide valuable clues for future decisions.
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Onward and Upward (For The Most Part!)

I’d love to say I now make all decisions with ease. 🙂
The truth is, I can still get tripped up at times. The above-mentioned techniques, however, tend to move me more smoothly from a harsh “Make a decision already!” to a clear and purposeful choice.
What decision are you currently grappling with? Take a deep breath. Consult your purpose, principles, and personal experience. Then make your decision with clarity and confidence!
Want a simple decision? Join us for an entire year of clarity, community, and coaching in the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club! Space is limited and enrollment will open November 1 – sign up here (just put your email in the blue bar) to get all the details!

Simple Ways To Uplift At Any Time

Christi Hegstad October 18th, 2020
I first learned the phrase ‘Carry as you climb’ several years ago when reading Regina Brett’s lovely book, Be The Miracle.
“Whatever career ladder you’re headed up,” Brett writes, “take someone with you.”
This week, carry as you climb.
How might you help someone rise in work, leadership, or life? You could:
* Post your top 3 takeaways from an empowering book you just read.
* Write a testimonial or endorsement for a service provider.
* Ask your team member how you can help him achieve his goals.
* Email your supervisor indicating something you appreciate about her leadership.
* Join a mastermind group focused on supporting one another’s dreams and goals.
* Write a blog sharing the 5 most valuable success lessons you’ve learned so far.
* Offer a smile, a word of encouragement, or a note of gratitude.
As we discussed in our ASPIRE Success Club meetings last week, there are countless ways we can ‘be the miracle’ for others – small, simple, purposeful actions that make a big difference.
Choose or create one to intentionally implement this week. The world thanks you in advance!
Enrollment to the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club opens November 1, 2020 with limited space available! Join our email community to be among the first to get all the details!

How To Win, No Matter The Score

Christi Hegstad October 11th, 2020
Nearly every personality assessment I’ve ever taken tells me what I’ve known most of my life:
I like to achieve.
Maybe you do, too? Maybe it shows up in the form of reaching goals, winning games, or challenging yourself in new ways.
But the assessments don’t reveal one important factor:
Achieving means little if we compromise our values in the process.
This week, hold your head high – no matter the score.
Discern your 3-5 core values and write out what they mean to you.
Looking at your schedule this week, reflect on how you will keep your values front-and-center throughout your activities.
For example, maybe ‘respect’ is one of your core values. How will you create a respectful environment with your colleagues? How will you demonstrate respect with a challenging customer? How will you encourage a respectful discussion at the dinner table?
Make plans to win your week in a meaningful, values-based way!
Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Achievers, here to help you bring your purpose to work, leadership, and life! Reach out today to learn more.

5 Ways To Proceed With Purpose

Christi Hegstad October 7th, 2020

5 ways to proceed with purpose:

1. Consult your VALUES when making decisions. Like an internal lighthouse, they’re always shining to guide you. Choose in favor of your core values.

2. CREATE before you consume. Consider your priorities, discern who/how you wish to be in the world today, write or plan or envision a bit before inviting outside voices (ie, social media or news headlines).

3. Shift your PERSPECTIVE. Before (or ideally, instead of) judging, consider what might lead someone to think differently than you. Ask questions when you can. Empathy goes a lot further than assumption.

4. Invite the LESSON. I frequently ask ‘What might I learn from this?’ or ‘How might this help me grow?’ I’m not always *ready* for the lesson, but I appreciate knowing one exists. Especially in difficulty.

5. Pause periodically and ask WHY before acting. You may find a household chore rises above the mundane when you consider how it benefits your family. You may opt for the outdoor walk over the TV, or the gentle word over the harsh one, when you consider the ‘why.’

Whether you’re pondering a career change, heading out to vote, or simply checking your email, proceed with purpose.

It truly can make all the difference!

 

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Achievers, here to help you bring your purpose to work, leadership, and life! Reach out today to learn more.

When Your Inner Critic Takes Center Stage

Christi Hegstad October 3rd, 2020
When our results fall short of our expectations, the inner critic finds an opening and steps on stage.
– BJ Fogg
When I saw the above line in Fogg’s book, I immediately got a picture in my mind that looked something like this:
I’m standing on stage, feeling nervous but purposeful, about to share something important to me.
I mess up.
Within nanoseconds, my ‘inner critic’ jumps onto center stage, arms up in a V formation, yelling, “TA-DA! Look at ME!”
Do you ever feel like your inner critic hovers nearby, saying things like, “You should be farther along than this!” or “Seriously? That’s the best you could do?” or “It’s much too difficult – don’t even bother!”?
This week, reclaim center stage in your own life.
After picturing that scene, I envisioned myself grabbing one of those large vaudeville-type hooks and gently pulling my inner critic off of the stage.
I took a deep breath, then recalled a few successes from my past.
I reminded myself of my ‘why’ – my purpose.
And I stepped back on stage and tried again.
Don’t let your inner critic become the star of the show. We’d much rather see YOU out there, shining your light!
Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Achievers, here to help you bring your purpose to work, leadership, and life! Reach out today to learn more.

Three Questions For A Purposeful New Month

Christi Hegstad October 2nd, 2020

How did last month go for you?

If this month is a repeat, will you be satisfied with that?

If so, carry on!

And if you’d like this month to look different than the preceding one, try asking yourself different questions. For example:

 

1. What one word do you want to describe your month?

You might choose a feeling (strong, peaceful), an outcome (productive, focused), or a general descriptor (courageous, light-hearted) – whatever serves you best.

 

2. What one project will you achieve, complete, or move significantly forward?

When everything is important, then essentially nothing is important; we have limited time and energy and therefore must prioritize. Choosing one focal point doesn’t mean everything else falls by the wayside – just that you commit to giving it attention each day or week.

 

3. What one daily action will you take to keep your mindset strong?

I suggest keeping this simple and brief – perhaps even something that takes less than two minutes. Some examples: Choose an intention each morning, write a win each evening, give thanks for 3 things, stretch for one minute before hopping in the shower, make your bed.

 

Record your answers at the front of your journal, on your monthly calendar, or on a sticky note placed where you will see it regularly. Let it serve as a guide and reminder for the month you are committed to creating!

P.S. Feel free to peek at Instagram or Facebook for my responses to these 3 questions this month!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Achievers, here to help you bring your purpose to work, leadership, and life! Reach out today to learn more.

When Inspiration Doesn’t Strike

Christi Hegstad September 29th, 2020

“I know we’re heading into 4th quarter, and I want to finish the year strong … but I’m just not feeling it! How can I get re-inspired?”

Does this sound – or feel – familiar?

If you’re waiting for inspiration to strike, I have good news and bad news:

The good news: You’re not alone. Even the most high-achieving among us feels a dip in motivation and loss of inspiration from time to time.

The bad news: If you simply wait around for inspiration to strike, you may wait a long, loooooooooong time.

But, more good news: You don’t have to sit around and wait. You can re-inspire yourself, and it may not even require much time or effort!

 

Where To Start

When my coaching clients need a boost of inspiration, we often begin with a Breakthrough Map.

At its most basic: Decide the issue to solve, put it in the form of a “How can I…” question, and brainstorm away. (Learn more about the Breakthrough Map process here.)

Putting our two heads together, we can typically generate 25+ possibilities within a matter of minutes, an act that – in and of itself – tends to fuel further inspiration.

 

Give The Breakthrough Map A Try

Let’s take the question, “How can I get re-inspired?” as an example. Some ideas appearing on your Breakthrough Map may include:

* Create new short-term goals that kickstart you into gear, one small step at a time.

* Revisit your Vision and Purpose Statements to remind you where you’re headed and why.

* Connect with your coach.

* Declutter / clear out your immediate space.

* Brainstorm advice you would offer if someone came to you and said, “How can I get re-inspired?”

* Read a memoir or listen to an in-depth interview from someone you admire.

* Step away from your current environment and into nature: Head outside for a walk, ride your bike along a nearby river, or grab your lawn chair and head to your own backyard.

Keep going with ideas until you generate twenty-five or more!

Re Inspired Breakthrough Map

Your Next Inspired Action

From there, you can choose one idea and begin.

Or you can categorize and order your ideas.

Or you could select your top 3 and focus your attention there, put the map away for a while and return to it for a second round, or take any number of actions.

And therein lies the key: Action.

While thinking about an issue is an important place to start, acting on it will boost our inspiration many times over – plus begin building momentum for the foreseeable future.

Take some time today to create a Breakthrough Map for re-inspiration, then hop into action. Be sure to let me know what other inspiration-boosting ideas you generate!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Achievers, here to help you bring your purpose to work, leadership, and life! Reach out today to learn more.

 

 

Opening The Doors Of Possibility

Christi Hegstad September 27th, 2020
“Be someone who makes someone else look forward to tomorrow.” – Unknown
What helps you hop out of bed in the morning?
It could be a delightful morning practice, a purposeful project, a conversation you’re looking forward to, or a 45-minute walk you plan to take that afternoon.
It could also be the ways you hope to make a difference in someone else’s life!
This week, help open a sense of possibility for others (and yourself!).
Some actions to consider:
* Help them set a meaningful goal.
* Encourage one of their passionate pursuits.
* Ask them what possibilities they’re looking forward to.
* Ask them what they’re grateful for.
* Celebrate small joys and tiny wins.
* Remind them of their awesomeness.
* Lead by example.
* Listen on purpose.
* Show exceptional kindness.
What would you add? Share your thoughts below or on Facebook! And take note of how helping others open the doors of possibility supports your own growing sense of possibility, too!
Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Achievers, here to help you bring your purpose to work, leadership, and life! Reach out today to learn more.
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