CHRISTI HEGSTAD PH.D.

Author Archives: Christi Hegstad

3 Favorite Success Tips

Christi Hegstad November 19th, 2014

What’s your #1 success tip?

I love hearing people answer this question, and their responses are as varied as their personalities. Since the NAWBO Iowa Woman Business Owner of the Year awards ceremony a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been asked this question by several different professionals – and always ask it right back. This always results in meaningful conversation!

In my experience, it all begins with gratitude. I give thanks every day for the people who make me better, for continuous inspiration from family, clients, and colleagues, and for the opportunity to engage in meaningful work that makes a difference. This month, as our thoughts turn even more to gratitude, and I’m willing to bet giving thanks plays an important role in your success, too.

After gratitude, my top tip might vary depending on the day, but three of my favorites:

1. Clarify your vision and mission.
 
I have an important question for you: What will the world look like once you’ve finished changing it? It’s not a hypothetical question – and your answer connects you to your vision. What’s the dream? What could be? What do your work and life look like in the ideal?
 
You work hard. You need to know what you’re working towards, and why. To paraphrase Nietzsche, if you know your why you can endure almost any how. Your vision pulls you forward, and your mission reminds you why.
 
2. Build your success community.
 
Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people – people who inspire you, challenge you, and make you want to better your best. In an earlier blog, I shared 5 such members of my Success Team and I urge you to build a similar team if you haven’t already. Much of my work – the ASPIRE Success Club, Spark, the Acceleration Mastermind – has revolved around this principle.
 
Never miss a chance to lift others up. And let them lift you up, too.
 
3. Believe in yourself, and in what you have to offer the world.
 
Sure, there might be a zillion financial planners or real estate agents or attorneys or whatever your area of expertise – but you have a unique set of strengths and life experiences that no one else brings to the table. Own that. See the gift in that. Fully step into your power.
 
You can’t serve to your fullest capacity if you are hiding out or playing small. Your work has meaning and your life has purpose. Share your passion with us! We want to see you succeed!
 

So, give thanks for all the people and experiences that have made you who you are today. 

Clarify your vision and mission, build your success community, and believe in yourself.

Think about that question: What will the world look like once you’ve finished changing it? 

Then go out there and change it.



What’s your #1 success tip? Share below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter!

Excellent books, lively discussion, powerful goal achievement – join us for the 2015 ASPIRE Success Club! Click here to enroll!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she develops strong, confident leaders, helping you flourish with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.

 

 

“Back To Basics” Leadership

Christi Hegstad November 17th, 2014

 

CLARITY KICKSTART: November 17, 2014

Simplicity is less about the number of material things you own than it is about maintaining the pleasures that knit you into the sturdy fabric of life.

 

Joan Borysenko
 
Coaching Tip for the Week:

 

I’m noticing a strong desire among many of my coaching clients these days to go “back to basics.” Whether it’s in how they schedule time, approach a project, or lead their team, they want a simpler, more straightforward way. Do you crave simplicity in your work, leadership, and life?
 

Our rapidly-advancing world is filled with distractions, excess, and ways to feel overwhelmed. At the same time, we often tend to contribute to the chaos, making things harder than they need to be.

This week, choose one way to simplify your work, leadership, and/or life. Just ONE way. Maybe you shut down electronics after the workday is done so you can focus on other important areas of your life. Perhaps you return to a paper calendar or old-fashioned to-do list. Or you could choose one of the ten items I’ve provided on the accompanying photo. Simplify one area at a time, take a deep breath, then move to the next area.


 
FOCUS helps with simplifying, and the ASPIRE Success Club specializes in helping you focus on what matters most. Click here to enroll!


Share your thoughts below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she develops strong, confident leaders, helping you flourish with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.

ASPIRE Success Club – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Christi Hegstad November 16th, 2014

For several years, the ASPIRE Success Club has brought together a community of extraordinary women to discuss and apply the lessons from outstanding books, to achieve Bold Goals, and to provide one another with exceptional support along the way. Currently 60 members strong, ASPIRE provides a unique opportunity to connect and grow as professionals, as women, and as leaders.

To help you decide if ASPIRE is for you, here are the responses to some of your most frequent questions:

1. Who joins the ASPIRE Success Club?

Women from all industries and roles: entrepreneurs, corporate executives, nonprofit directors, service providers, office managers – just to name a few. The diverse makeup contributes to the amazing dynamic of the group and reminds us that even though our roles might differ, we share many of the same desires, challenges, and opportunities.

2. Is ASPIRE a business networking group?

ASPIRE is a professional development community, with a focus on growth, connection, education, and phenomenal support. The monthly discussions and outside activities allow members to develop relationships and learn each other’s perspectives, and each year most ASPIRE members report gaining business or advancing their careers as a direct result of their membership. Definitely a nice side benefit!

3. What is the time commitment?

We meet monthly for one hour (though you can attend more than one meeting each month if you choose). We also offer extra activities and growth experiences which you can participate in as you wish, such as exclusive author interviews, service opportunities, social gatherings, and more. We read one book per quarter, which usually works out to be 3-4 chapters per month, depending on the book.

4. Do I need to live in central Iowa to be a member?

You can join us from anywhere! One of our monthly meetings is virtual and we currently have members from California to Pennsylvania and many points in between. As long as you have a telephone and internet access, you can partake in all the offerings.

5. Can I join later in the year?

Due to the Bold Goal component and the nature of the ASPIRE curriculum, and to foster strong relationships between members, enrollment occurs just once a year. When you join, you become a member from January through December.

Some people are also curious about the main reason members give for joining ASPIRE. The reasons are as unique and varied as our members themselves! Some join for the Bold Goal guidance and accountability, others to gain support not always easily found elsewhere, and others because they want to read – and discuss, reflect on, and apply what they read – more. I believe it’s safe to say that everyone joins to become part of a positive, proactive group of smart, strong women, all dedicated to success – their own, as well as that of their ASPIRE friends.

You can see our 2015 book list, read testimonials, and learn more about the ASPIRE Success Club by clicking here. If you still have questions, please feel free to get in touch! 

Share your thoughts below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she develops strong, confident leaders, helping you flourish with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.

Leadership Through Kindness

Christi Hegstad November 9th, 2014

CLARITY KICKSTART: November 10, 2014

In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the human spirit.

 

Albert Schweitzer
 
Coaching Tip for the Week:

 

Have you ever witnessed a random act of kindness? What did that experience do for your sense of goodness in the world?
 
A few years ago, I sat in my parked car downtown, waiting for a friend to arrive. From a distance, I saw an elderly woman walking very slowly and with great care down the sidewalk. She came to the curb and stopped, looking at it thoughtfully.
 
She gingerly put one foot slightly forward, then brought it back. It occurred to me that she wasn’t able to step down off the curb and was contemplating what to do.
 
Next thing I knew, a man was beside her, spoke to her for a moment, and gently lifted her down from the curb. Both continued on their way.
 
People are amazing. Acts of kindness occur every moment, usually quietly and without great fanfare. And they change the world.
This week, do a random (or intentional) act of kindness. Bring a fall bouquet to the lobby of a local nursing home. Leave a prepaid gas card at the door of someone who recently lost his job. Write an anonymous thank-you to a minister, social worker, or public servant. Or when you see an unexpected opportunity to serve, do so.
 
In the words of Gandhi, be the change you wish to see in the world.
 
Excellent books, lively discussion, powerful goal achievement – join us for the 2015 ASPIRE Success Club! Click here to enroll!

Share your thoughts below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she develops strong, confident leaders, helping you flourish with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.

The 5 Key Members Of Your Success Team

Christi Hegstad November 6th, 2014







“Things may come to those who wait, but only things left by those who hustle.”
Attributed to Abraham Lincoln






When do you start planning your goals, commitments, and support for the new year?
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Many people wait until New Year’s Eve (or later), but in my mind, that’s starting the year behind. I’m coaching my clients to lay out their plans now for a successful next year, so when the clock strikes 2015 they can hit the ground running.
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Once you’ve set your goals, a huge factor in whether or not you achieve them involves your Success Team. Below are 5 key members I encourage everyone, regardless of role or goal, to enlist:
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Coach.

My business and life skyrocketed dramatically when I hired my first coach, and I’ve had one ever since. I cannot recommend this partnership highly enough, speaking both as a coach, seeing what my clients accomplish, and as a client, knowing what I  have personally experienced. Hire the best you (or your employer) can possibly afford, recognizing it’s not an expense but a professional development investment. Click here for 5 questions you can ask potential coaches to help you make a smart decision. 

 

Committed group with consistent meetings.

Join (or start) a group of like-minded, forward-moving individuals who focus on support, action, and guidance. The ASPIRE Success Club is a terrific example of such a group, as is the Acceleration Mastermind at a more intensive level. Find your tribe that meets regularly (this consistency is important) and join.

 

Associations.

Nearly every field has a national or international association designed to provide industry-specific resources and education. In addition to joining the top associations in your field, explore those outside your area of expertise, too – areas you want to explore or expand your relationships.

 

Experts.

When I first started my business, a mentor advised me: “Do what you do best and outsource the rest.” Brilliant! I’d be lost without my accountant, website guru, attorney, and other experts who keep things running clean and smooth. Make sure your current team is on board for next year or secure new experts now.

 

Cheerleaders.

We all need those people that just remind us we can do what we set out to do. Some of my cheerleaders are in completely different fields and probably don’t even fully grasp what I do for a living, but when I share a wild idea or big crazy dream, they’re the first to say, “You can totally do that!” Critics will find you; you may need to intentionally seek out the cheerleaders.






Start this process by determining your top goals for next year. What would you like to say about yourself and your business/career next year at this time? Decide your high-priority goals, then secure your support to make sure your vision becomes your reality.






Don’t wait for “whatever’s left” once January rolls around. Be proactive and purposeful so you can kickstart your new year with clarity, focus, and success!

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Share your definition of success on our blog, Facebook page, or via Twitter!




Ready to achieve Bold Goals with extraordinary support? Now enrolling for the 2015 Acceleration Mastermind and ASPIRE Success Club!




Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches executives and leaders who need to get unstuck – whether in your leadership ability, income level, or from spinning your wheels in the day-to-day. Christi helps you flourish towards your purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.


 

Making Kids’ Dreams Come True: Emily Hamilton

Christi Hegstad November 5th, 2014

Imagine being a child trying to find the motivation to go to school each day, knowing that many of your family members didn’t graduate from high school.

And try to envision college in your future, even though you may only know one person – your teacher – who has ever attended college.

Now, imagine someone providing you with the mentoring, tools, and funding support to not only ensure that you succeed in school, but that you can go on to college and create an extraordinary future for yourself and others.

Too good to be true?

Not for the Des Moines “I Have A Dream” Foundation, for which Acceleration Masterminder Emily Hamilton is the Executive Director. This exceptional not-for-profit provides elementary school children who are at risk of dropping out of school with an adult mentor who essentially says, “I am here to help you, from now until you graduate.” In addition, they provide educational resources and financial support so that each student has the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.

In the 4 years that Emily has led this organization, they have continued support for two classes of Dreamers – the Oakridge Dreamers, now in college, and the King Dreamers, now in 9th grade. In addition, they have enhanced support for students and their families, created new partnerships with other nonprofits, and developed a model for intervention to greatly increase I Have A Dream’s community impact. With the launch of The Dreamer Academy this fall, the number of students and families that will benefit from long-term, proactive support and mentorship will grow exponentially in the years to come.

Emily has always been able to dream big, but with the magnitude of The Dreamer Academy, she wasn’t sure how to move from vision to reality – or if she was the right person to make that happen. “I knew that if I wanted to see this vision through, I’d need to really strengthen my management skills, rev up my fundraising efforts, and figure out ways to be a lot more efficient with my time,” Emily admitted.

Hence, she enrolled in the Acceleration Mastermind.

The result? “I Have A Dream has raised more money this year than in the past 3 years combined – nearly $650,000 for The Dreamer Academy,” Emily recently shared. “We’ve doubled our staff, successfully navigated a number of tricky partnerships, and launched our new program! It’s so exciting to see all our hard work coming together to create really amazing results.

“I don’t know if I Have A Dream – or I – would be where we are today if not for the Mastermind group.”

Like all Masterminders, Emily has advanced her organization exponentially while learning a great deal about herself in the process.

“What I love about Mastermind is that we’re all in very different sectors. It sounds like the opening line of a joke: ‘So a banker, a lawyer, a professional organizer, a life coach, a marketing business owner, and a nonprofit leader sit down at a table…’ The result is that, even though our businesses are all very different – or maybe because they are – we’re able to offer lots of different ideas that can be translated to our various fields.”

Emily has experienced her share of challenges this year, but Masterminding, coaching, and support help her move forward. “I am now at the point where I know I can do this!”

To learn more about Emily and the Des Moines “I Have A Dream” Foundation, visit http://www.desmoinesdreams.org. Watch a recent news clip here.

Interested in joining the Acceleration Mastermind for 2015? Click here to request an application.

Share your thoughts below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter!

Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches executives and leaders who need to get unstuck – whether in your leadership ability, income level, or from spinning your wheels in the day-to-day. Christi helps you flourish towards your purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.







 


Want Success? Make A Decision!

Christi Hegstad November 3rd, 2014

Clarity Kickstart: November 3, 2014

Life is often like having one foot on the dock and the other foot on a boat that is leaving. We want to leave, but our desire for the safety of the homeland keeps us tentative and indecisive – and often lands us in the water!

Zig Ziglar

Coaching Tip For The Week:

When presented with an exciting work opportunity that doesn’t offer 100% certainty, where are you: Safely on the dock of “what’s known”? Jumping fully into the boat towards a potential opportunity? Or waffling somewhere in between?

Trying to straddle between the “comfortable but known” and the “potentially thrilling but unknown,” as you can guess, leads to missed opportunities, what if’s, and hours of spinning in indecision.
 
As I’ve shared many times, my business truly started to skyrocket when I hired my first coach – and I’ve had a coach ever since. On the rare occasions  when I now find myself waffling, my coach will say something like, “Christi, you can’t keep one foot on third base and still run for home. You have to make a choice.”  




This week, decide and take action. Consider a decision about which you are waffling, envision what could be, believe in yourself, and decide to either jump in the boat or stay on the dock. Then, immediately take an action in favor of your decision.
 
No more falling in the lake of indecision! 🙂
 
Set a Bold Goal and get the extraordinary support and guidance to achieve it! 2015 ASPIRE Success Club is now open – click here to join us!





Share your thoughts below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter! 







Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches executives and leaders who need to get unstuck – whether in your leadership ability, income level, or from spinning your wheels in the day-to-day. Christi helps you flourish towards your purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mental Toughness Tips From Former FBI Agent LaRae Quy

Christi Hegstad October 28th, 2014

“I grew up in Wyoming, 2 hours from the closest school, amid rattlesnakes and raging bulls. Blaming, pointing fingers, and whining were just not part of my childhood. And I learned two things early on: We are each responsible for our own fate, and if I wanted something done, I had to do it myself.”

So began our ASPIRE Success Club interview with LaRae Quy, former FBI counterintelligence and undercover agent and now author, speaker, and consultant on mental toughness. LaRae, who recently released her second book, Mental Toughness For Women Leaders, spent an hour with us answering questions about courage, mindset, failure, confidence, and more. Her stories from her FBI days were certainly spellbinding, with terrific application to workplace success! A few takeaways: 

LaRae shared an extraordinary story demonstrating how mental toughness impacted her in a “sticky situation” – perhaps even saved her life – and offered an action step that has many of our ASPIRE Success Club members thinking and acting differently about fear. She then closed our interview with a terrific reminder for us all: Speak positively to yourself. Your positive, proactive self-talk will build your confidence, strengthen your courage, and enhance your mental toughness in all situations.

 To learn more about LaRae, her books, and her mental toughness work, visit www.LaRaeQuy.com.

 

Enrollment for the 2015 ASPIRE Success Club is now open – and over half-filled! Click here to join us!
 

Share your thoughts below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter! 








Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches executives and leaders who need to get unstuck – whether in your leadership ability, income level, or from spinning your wheels in the day-to-day. Christi helps you flourish towards your purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.
























 

How To Help Others Do Their Best Work

Christi Hegstad October 27th, 2014

Leadership is about how you make people feel – about you, about the project or work you’re doing together, and especially about themselves.

Why? Because people do their best work when they feel good about themselves and what they’re doing.

 

~Betsy Myers
 
 Coaching Tip for the Week:

 

Do you have everything figured out in work, life, and leadership?
 
Of course not, no one does. Yet some people allow this lack of ‘having all the answers’ keep them from stepping into the roles they’re truly here to play.
 
Here’s one of the secrets of extraordinary leadership: Rather than worrying about having all the answers, learn to ask the right questions.
 
Ask with sincerity and be curious, generous, and open to new perspectives. Your team – whether at work, in the community, or in your family – will likely surprise you with their ingenuity, plus they will feel heard, appreciated, and validated.











This week, focus on asking questions and listening to the responses. A simple “What ideas do you have on this topic?” or “What would you do in this situation?” will bring new insights and help develop the leaders around you, which is the ultimate goal of leadership in the end.
 
Enrollment for the 2015 ASPIRE Success Club is now open – and over half-filled! Click here to join us!

 

Share your thoughts on our blog, Facebook page, or via Twitter! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above to receive Clarity Kickstarts in your in-box every Monday morning.













Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches executives and leaders who need to get unstuck – whether in your leadership ability, income level, or from spinning your wheels in the day-to-day. Christi helps you flourish towards your purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.


























What’s YOUR Definition of Success?

Christi Hegstad October 21st, 2014





In workshops, I often ask how “society” defines success. A few criteria typically rise to the top: 



Money.




Power.



Celebrity.



Fame. 



Based on these standards, are you successful?



Unless you bring in $20 million per movie or grace the cover of Time magazine, probably not.



But is that your definition of success?



Again, probably not.



One of the most liberating aspects of adulthood (earlier if we’re fortunate) is realizing you don’t have to measure your success based on someone else’s ideas. You can define it – and work, lead, and live it – for yourself.



Several years ago, I came across Ralph Waldo Emerson’s definition of success and found myself moved by it. So much so, in fact, that I cross-stitched it and have it hanging prominently in my office.






I have since created my own definition of success, which can be summed up in just a few words: Growth. Meaningful significance. Moving self and others in a positive direction. 



As a parent, my greatest joy comes when my children succeed – whether that means achieving a goal, showing compassion, doing or being their best. 



As a coach, I succeed when my clients succeed, which is why I’m 100% invested in their success.



As a human being, if I’m growing, doing work of significance, and moving people in a positive direction, I feel successful. Sometimes I fall short of the particular goal for which I’m striving, but even in those times I can still grow and others can still learn from my experience. 



In this sense, even when we fail, we can succeed.



So, how do YOU define success?



success chess piecesIf you feel unsuccessful, chances are you are either basing your success on someone else’s view, or you have somehow disconnected from your values, strengths, & purpose. Let’s start with your success definition and, in a special edition of Do What You Love! later this month we’ll address the values alignment issue.



This month, set aside some quiet time to discern your personal definition of success. 



To start, make a list of what you consider your greatest successes over the past few years. 



Then, look for common threads: Do several involve doing what you said you would do? Setting a goal and seeing it through? Making a difference for others while honoring your own values? Overcoming a barrier?



You might also journal on the topic. Start with the prompt, “I feel most successful when…”, then free-write what comes to mind.



Earl Nightingale defined success as “the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal.” Motivational speaker Tony Robbins defines it as a “consistent increase in progress with your quality of life.” I love both of these definitions because they remind us that success doesn’t come when we achieve a goal – it’s about who we become in the process.



Maybe you ran a marathon, or maybe you walked around the block without stopping. Maybe you brought a company from bankruptcy to financial health, or maybe you kept your tomato plants alive. Rather than compare your wins to someone else’s, celebrate your successes and define what that means for yourself. 



Then, as we move even more fully into 4th quarter, make plans to wrap up 2014 successfully – whatever that means for you!

 

Share your definition of success below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above to receive our next issue of Do What You Love!







Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches executives and leaders who need to get unstuck – whether in your leadership ability, income level, or from spinning your wheels in the day-to-day. Christi helps you flourish towards your purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

Receive helpful articles, resources, and 5 insightful audios – for free! Click “Join Our Mailing List” above.

Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.










 

 

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