Day 1: Host An Impromptu Bucket List Party!

Christi Hegstad June 12th, 2014

“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves; those who work hard and play hard.”

Colin Powell

42 Days Of Yes!

Day 1: Host An Impromptu Bucket List Party!

I’ve long wanted to host a Bucket List party: a big brainstorming session to find out what my friends would LOVE to do in their lifetimes if time, money, and courage were in abundant supply. So to kick off 42 Days Of Yes, I decided to say YES to this inner request. Since Day 1 coincided with my birthday and we’ve had amazing weather, I decided to invite a few friends over for an impromptu Bucket List / Birthday / Bonfire party.

This was a stretch for me because a) I wasn’t sure how combining an “assignment” with a party would go over (who brings a flip chart to a party? :-)), and b) I’m a planner, especially when it comes to events…so the ‘impromptu’ part isn’t my natural way of operating. I must also admit, I felt a little odd hosting a birthday party for myself – probably since I haven’t done it since junior high!

We had a blast! We came up with a ton of ideas, each one sparking another thought from someone else. From adventure (zipline in the rainforest) to service (serve regularly at a local food pantry) to travel (see all the major league ball parks) to “just because” (attend the roller derby), dreams were flying and we even began setting some plans in motion. An added side benefit: some of the ideas we generated may even show up in 42 Days Of Yes!

Everyone has dreams, but we don’t always give ourselves permission to acknowledge and express them. Doing so – whether with your friends, family members, or team at work – can serve as a very inspiring experience, strengthening relationships and expanding everyone’s sense of possibility in the process. I left this gathering feeling renewed, inspired, thankful, and reminded of the importance of surrounding oneself with positive, amazing people!

What would show up on your Bucket List? Share your ideas below, on Facebook, or via Twitter.

Click here to learn about 42 Days Of Yes. Want to see how the 42 days all come together? Join us at Spark – just click here!

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 feel stuck – whether in their leadership abilities, at a certain income level, or “spinning their wheels” in the day-to-day – to flourish towards a purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

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

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, and via Twitter.

Clarity Kickstart: Fail Fast

Christi Hegstad June 9th, 2014

CLARITY KICKSTART: June 9, 2014

“We’ve learned that the secret to success may in fact be failure.”

~ Katty Kay & Claire Shipman

Coaching Tip for the Week:

Do you embrace failure – or avoid it at all costs?

The tech world has a phrase that’s part “buzz word” and part brilliant business strategy: Fail fast.

They believe it’s better to put together a prototype that might be (gasp) less than perfect, roll it out quickly, see what works and what doesn’t, then course-correct.

Do you share this belief?

If you always stick to what you know – doing things the way they’ve always been done – you may avoid failure. But are you really succeeding?

This week, fail fast. Take a bold action that’s not 100% pre-planned, roll out a program that’s not perfect, give something a try. Consider the turtle: he can only make progress when he sticks his neck out!

How will you fail fast this week?

Inspire others by sharing below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter!

At Spark you’ll hear several examples of failing forward to success. Earlybird Registration is NOW OPEN – click here for details!

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 feel stuck – whether in their leadership abilities, at a certain income level, or “spinning their wheels” in the day-to-day – to flourish towards a purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

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

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, and via Twitter.

What If You Just Said YES?

Christi Hegstad June 8th, 2014

A few years ago, after a period of feeling overcommitted and overwhelmed, I strengthened my ability to say No. It’s an important, necessary skill in life that allows us to set healthy boundaries and honor our priorities. When you say No to something, you can say Yes to something else.

Learning to say No is good. Unless No becomes your default. Think about your own experience for a moment:

* Have you ever said No to an amazing opportunity, perhaps due to self-doubt, then later wished you had just said Yes?

* Do you decline impromptu or “just for fun” activities because you feel too time-crunched as it is?

* Have you had moments lately – at work, in leadership, in life – that leave you questioning your abilities or feeling more fearful than you’d like?

The Importance of Yes

As a leader, you must be able to say No, of course – but you also must be open to the Yes. And oftentimes, you need to be able to do this at a moment’s notice: embracing opportunities as they arise, being open to change, and making decisions quickly. You need to be the leader in your own life if you intend to effectively model leadership and develop it in others.

I recently wrote a piece about overthinking, on which I’ve received a great deal of feedback (click here to read the article). As one reader said, “I’ve found that the best things in work and life happen when I trust my gut and say YES. I’m learning to do that more in my leadership role, but I seem to have forgotten how to say Yes to those little things that light me up for no apparent reason. I’ve developed the habit of saying ‘No’ or ‘Later’ – only ‘later’ never comes.”

Can you relate? I sure can.

So what are we going to do about it?

42 Days Of Yes!

Beginning on Wednesday, I am embarking on a project to stretch out of my comfort zone and to remind me to say YES more and I’d love for you to join me. Every day for 42 days, I will say YES to something new, bold, out of my comfort zone, or that simply lights me up for any reason – or for no reason whatsoever. I intend to do this without overthinking and without expectation.

Do YOU want to say Yes to life more? Do you need to stretch out of your comfort zone? Are you ready to challenge your perfectionist or overthinking tendencies and embrace opportunities as they appear? Here’s how to start:

1. Jot down a few ideas – things you’ve long wanted to try or have said NO to in the past, for example. Small and simple, bold and brassy, whatever comes to mind. You’re not committing to these – just expanding your mindset before we begin.

2. Keep track. In a journal or document, make note of your YES experience each day. You’ll begin to develop a new habit and will soon have a track record of healthy, positive experiences which you’ve embraced! (Hint: You can use this to record any learnings or discoveries along the way, too.) You’re welcome to use this downloadable sheet if you wish!

3. Inspire others! Beginning June 11, I’ll post on Facebook and Twitter near-daily, so feel free to add your YES experiences to the conversation. Forward the link to this blog to friends and colleagues and chat weekly about your YES actions. Post your wins on your own Facebook or Twitter accounts (feel free to use hashtag #42DaysOfYes so we can hear about them!). I will also briefly update this blog a couple of times each week, maybe even with photos or video, and you’re welcome to share your experiences here as well.

The main point: let your growth inspire others!

Remember, 42 Days Of Yes is not about saying Yes to anything and everything (much to my kids’ disappointment! ;-)) and your actions don’t have to be huge or earth-shattering. Your Yes does not need to be in response to someone else’s request, either; maybe you say Yes to immersing yourself in a book for an entire day or dancing in your office for 5 minutes in the morning or taking your team out for a surprise lunch.

42 Days Of Yes is about being purposeful and playful, fully embracing each day and its healthy opportunities for joy, taking a chance on what lights you up, and living and working in the present moment. It’s about being the leader in your own life and modeling that for others. And truth be told there is a deeper purpose behind this project, which I’ll share at Spark in October.

So…are you in? Come on, say YES! 🙂

“Saying YES begins things. Saying YES is how things grow. Saying YES leads to knowledge. So for as long as you have the strength to, say YES.”~ Stephen Colbert

Clarity Kickstart: The Danger In Playing It Safe

Christi Hegstad June 2nd, 2014

CLARITY KICKSTART: June 2, 2014

Better to put your heart on the line, risk everything, and walk away with nothing than play it safe.

~ Mandy Hale

Coaching Tip for the Week:

Does the above quote make you nod in wholehearted agreement?

Or does “putting it all out there” just sound too dangerous?

If you are playing it safe as a leader by doing what’s always been done, not only are you limiting yourself – you are teaching others by your example to hold back as well.

And holding back rarely leads to greatness.

This week, dare yourself. Take a bold step, a healthy risk. Put yourself out there in a way that perhaps scares you a bit but could also open the doors to extraordinary.

Remember, if you want different results, you need to do something different. True growth occurs when you challenge the same-old way of thinking and dare to be different!

Spark will teach you to dare greatly – and Earlybird Registration is NOW OPEN! Click here for details!

How will you “put yourself out there” this week? Inspire others by commenting 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 feel stuck – whether in their leadership abilities, at a certain income level, or “spinning their wheels” in the day-to-day – to flourish towards a purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

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

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, and via Twitter.

Just Click “Send”: 3 Tips To Curb Overthinking

Christi Hegstad May 30th, 2014

Do you ever type an email, edit it, revise it, ask yourself if you should actually send it, edit it some more, hover over the “Send” button…then save it in Drafts for later?

Or have you been offered an opportunity that thrills you but, since you’re not 110% confident you are 110% qualified, you ponder, waffle, make pro/con lists, weigh every single possibility …meanwhile the opportunity is handed to someone else who immediately says Yes?

Or do you have an idea for a Facebook post but then start analyzing it from all angles: Will anyone find it useful or funny or helpful? What if no one ‘likes’ it? Could someone possibly misinterpret this word? – then eventually end up hitting “Leave Page” instead of “Post” because of your uncertainty?

While thinking before acting is important, overthinking can immobilize us. Thinking too much and worrying about the possible “what if’s” can lessen our confidence, increase self-doubt, and lead to missed opportunities (not to mention wasted time and energy). As a leader, too much thinking and too little doing can chip away at our team’s confidence in us as well.

Overthinking, at its most basic, means going over negative thoughts and questions extensively in your mind – often for extended periods and without any positive action as a result. This continuous questioning leads to what Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema termed the yeast effect: “Just as yeasty bread dough will double in size after it’s been kneaded, our negative thoughts expand, grow, and begin to take up all the space around them in our minds.”

The result: more questioning, self-doubt, and second-guessing!

How can you put a stop to overthinking and begin acting more decisively? Here are 3 starting points:

1. Give yourself a time limit.

If your work report is due to the company president at noon on Friday, you know you need to submit it by noon on Friday – 100% perfect or not. Transfer this same experience to areas in which you tend to overthink. For example, give yourself 20 minutes to respond to emails, setting a timer to remind you. More often than not the saying is true: Done is better than perfect.

2. Imagine the worst.

This sounds counter to positive leadership but can actually be a helpful decision-making tool. Reflect on the worst-case scenario and decide if you can live with it and that others won’t be harmed by it. If you realize that potential typo in your email doesn’t have life or death consequences, for example, that knowledge will allow you to click “Send” more quickly and with less stress.

3. Practice winging it.

Many of my clients feel most confident when they are well-prepared, and with good reason. Improvising at times, however, and realizing we can survive (and often thrive) by doing so, helps alleviate overthinking and overplanning. Try giving a presentation using just a rough outline rather than a complete script, for example. You might find that you are more authentic and engaged in the present moment, thereby connecting more deeply with your audience. (Check out Patricia Ryan Madson’s Improv Wisdom for more insight.)

The next time you find yourself spinning in overthinking, take a deep breath, employ one of the above tips, then take an action. “If you only remember one thing from this book,” write Katty Kay and Claire Shipman in The Confidence Code, “let it be this: When in doubt, act… Action separates the timid from the bold.”

That opportunity that lights you up? Accept and figure it out. That email you’ve been waffling over? Just click “Send.”

What’s your best tip to curb overthinking and start acting decisively? Share your thoughts below, on Facebook, 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 feel stuck – whether in their leadership abilities, at a certain income level, or “spinning their wheels” in the day-to-day – to flourish towards a purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

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

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, and via Twitter.

Clarity Kickstart: Are You A Calm Leader?

Christi Hegstad May 26th, 2014

CLARITY KICKSTART: May 26, 2014

“I learned that the ability to attain inner calm, regardless of outside turmoil, is a kind of strength.”

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Coaching Tip for the Week:

Can you maintain a sense of calm even amid chaos?

Inner calm is definitely a kind of strength, and a much-needed one when you have others looking to you for direction.

Just like you can strengthen your body with exercise, you can develop your inner strength as well. Meditation, journaling, visualization, and focused breathing are all wonderful methods for strengthening your inner calm.

Another often-overlooked but highly useful one? Slow down. Even a few seconds before responding can make the difference between a reaction that leads to regret and a helpful, proactive reply.

This week, practice the 3-second rule. Whatever turmoil you find yourself in – a frustrated customer, a looming deadline, a tantrum – slowly count to 3 before responding. In those 3 seconds, picture your ideal outcome of the situation, then respond in alignment with that.

3 seconds doesn’t sound like much but can absolutely make the difference.

How do you remain “the calm within the storm”? Inspire others by sharing 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 feel stuck – whether in their leadership abilities, at a certain income level, or “spinning their wheels” in the day-to-day – to flourish towards a purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

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

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, and via Twitter.

Clarity Kickstart: Your Authentic Leadership Voice

Christi Hegstad May 19th, 2014

CLARITY KICKSTART: May 19, 2014

“There are real-life examples of soft power…clusters of people who change lives through the power not of their charisma but of their caring. Their communication skills are sufficient to convey their message, but their real strength comes from substance.”

~ Susan Cain

Coaching Tip for the Week:

What qualities make up a strong leader?

Over the past few weeks, I have asked this question among hundreds of people in leadership development trainings. Not once did words like charisma or loud come up in these groups.

Words like authentic, honest, passionate, and kind did, however, and quite frequently.

Leadership is more than loudly proclaiming your ideas or trying to adopt a one-size-fits-all, formulaic approach. True leadership creates and communicates a vision so strongly and purposefully that people want to be a part of it, to make it happen. That can only be achieved through your authentic leadership voice – whether loud or soft.

This week, write down the names of 3-5 leaders you wholeheartedly respect and admire. Then record the quality that stands out for you with each of them. This exercise will not only broaden your leadership perspective, it will likely clue you into your own leadership voice – how you want to be as a leader.

What qualities stand out in a respected, admired leader? Inspire others by sharing below, on our Facebook page, or via T witter!

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 feel stuck – whether in their leadership abilities, at a certain income level, or “spinning their wheels” in the day-to-day – to flourish towards a purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

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

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, and via Twitter.

Passion, Purpose, and Reframing Obstacles: Interview With Amber Cahill (Adventures In Boldness series)

Christi Hegstad May 15th, 2014

Every day is a new chance to do what you love and make the most of your life.

Amber Cahill

What do confidence, purpose, and pole fitness have in common? The ASPIRE Success Club discovered the answer to this question and many more in our recent Adventures In Boldness interview with Amber Cahill, owner of TGR Fitness.

With a degree in elementary education and a Master’s in reading, Amber’s career path has taken some unexpected turns which – and this is key – she was open to pursuing. She began her foray into pole fitness by simply saying “Yes” when a friend asked her to attend a class several years ago. When the time came to make a decision about her own “next chapter,” Amber chose in favor of her passions and opened a pole, aerial hoop, and so-much-more fitness studio, celebrating 4 years this month. TGR’s mission is to provide innovative fitness in fun, healthy, and energizing ways.

Her now-thriving business has succeeded despite – or perhaps in part because of – the barriers she has faced along the way. “Adversity causes some people to break,” William Arthur Ward famously wrote, “and others to break records.” Amber has chosen to use her challenges to help her and her business grow.

So, how do you rally the strength to boldly and gracefully push through barriers on your path to doing what you love? Three of Amber’s tips:

1. View Obstacles As Roadbumps – Not Barriers.

From day one, Amber faced challenges with bringing her business idea to life. After finding the perfect space, for example, her lease was suddenly denied when one influential person felt her business was “offensive.” Rather than retreat with any of the obstacles she faced, Amber viewed them as opportunities to educate. “If we can take those moments that crush us and learn something from them, we can grow,” Amber reminds us. She pays attention to others’ concerns and the various obstacles that arise, but she doesn’t let them define her. “Remember your own voice,” she advises. “Know what feeds your soul.”

2. Balance Passion With Discipline.

With over 50 different types of classes, clientele vastly ranging in age and ability, and a combination of group work, competition prep, and personal training, no two days are the same for Amber. In addition to running her business, she is married, has 3 children, and volunteers in the schools. “I love that every day is different,” Amber shares, “but this also requires me to be highly disciplined, organized, and a good time manager.” One practice that supports her: a nightly review of her calendar, priorities, and activities for the next day – ensuring that she focuses her precious time on what matters most.

3. Know Your Purpose.

Providing innovative fitness in ways that build community and connection is what fuels Amber each day. Her clients have experienced numerous physical benefits, from dramatic weight loss to getting off medications to changing the course of their health. Just as important, Amber witnesses personal transformations in her clients every day, such as growing self-confidence and an increased sense of strength. Seeing people who were once uncertain and feeling alone begin to believe in themselves – and to know they are surrounded by a community of others who also believe in them – provides amazing motivation to keep going even when the roadbumps appear.

Doing what you love isn’t always easy, but when you keep obstacles in perspective, practice self-discipline, and clarify your purpose, even the challenges become rewarding. “We get one life. We have to make the most of it – and sometimes that means pushing the envelope,” Amber shares. “I have not yet found my full potential, and I’m going to keep pushing until I find it.”

Learn more about Amber and TGR Fitness here.

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 feel stuck – whether in their leadership abilities, at a certain income level, or “spinning their wheels” in the day-to-day – to flourish towards a purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

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

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, and via Twitter.

Clarity Kickstart: Leadership Means Connecting The Dots

Christi Hegstad May 12th, 2014

CLARITY KICKSTART: May 12, 2014

“When everyone is in alignment and knows what they do matters, that’s when the magic happens. People need to know they’re valued, and it’s up to you as leaders to make sure they know that.”

~ Carey Lohrenz

Coaching Tip for the Week:

Do you feel your work is valued? Do those you lead recognize their value?

Disconnect (and ultimately disengagement) often occurs when you don’t see how your work fits into the bigger picture. If you work in a “silo” organization where each department has different goals and perspectives, that lack of alignment only feeds the disconnect.

Given the amount of time we spend at work – likely more than nearly any other activity in our adult lives – it’s crucial that we each know our work matters.

This week, focus your attention on helping others know their work makes a difference. Give sincere praise, acknowledge how far they’ve come, help them connect the dots between what they do and how lives are positively impacted as a result.

By helping those you lead recognize their value, you will undoubtedly connect with your own sense of value as well.

What’s one way you will help your team know their work matters? Inspire others by sharing 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 feel stuck – whether in their leadership abilities, at a certain income level, or “spinning their wheels” in the day-to-day – to flourish towards a purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

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

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, and via Twitter.

How To Build An Amazing Career

Christi Hegstad May 8th, 2014

How To Build An Amazing Career

Do you know someone who has an amazing career?

How can you tell?

You’ve probably asked countless people – at cocktail parties, networking functions, high school reunions – what they do for a living. Most respond with a job title or a 15-second pitch like we’re taught in sales training, then move on in the conversation.

But every once in a while, you come across the person who simply lights up when discussing what she does. Her words draw you in, her gestures become animated, and she shares rich stories of her work experience. No doubt she has tough challenges too, but her passion shines.

One of the reasons I started my business was due to the high percentage of people who dislike their work – a number that, according to Gallup’s most recent poll, has reached upwards of 70%. Since we will spend more than 1/3 of our waking hours at work, this number seems ridiculously unacceptable to me.

The fact of the matter is, it’s up to each one of us to build our own amazing career. Start with what you have right now, where you are today. Here are 3 building blocks for a truly phenomenal career:

1. Identify Your Strengths.

Your strengths aren’t simply the things you’re good at; they also connect with your purpose, put you in “flow,” and make you feel stronger. Discover your strengths, then look for or create ways to use them more in your daily work. One of my coaching clients was in a job that was “fine,” but he wasn’t thriving. Through our strengths work he discovered he loved to research and write, so he sought and gained approval to create a leadership newsletter for his organization. This small step has helped reinvigorate his passion and gets him excited about heading to the office.

2. Act With Intention.

You don’t need to have every single step mapped out in detail; in fact, some of our greatest experiences arrive when we are open to the unexpected. You do, however, need to be selective and choose your actions consciously. The best way I’ve found to act with intention starts by becoming clear on your vision and purpose, then using them as filters for your decisions. With this clarity, you can ask yourself with each decision: Does this bring me closer to – or move me further from – my vision and purpose?

3. Don’t Settle.

I recently met someone who did not enjoy his work but had resigned himself to “doing his time” until he retired. I asked when that would occur, and he replied, “In about 17 years.” 17 years! That’s longer than my children have been on the planet! If you are unhappy or disengaged at work, take action. Redesign your position so you can engage your strengths more frequently, take on a stretch assignment, clarify how your work makes a difference in the world. One of my clients works 2 nearly-full-time positions and is earning her degree at night, all because she’s passionate about her field, has a clear vision of what she wants to do, and she’s not willing to settle for anything less than her full potential.

Doing work you love is not a “nice-to-do” or a frivolous luxury awarded only to a lucky few. Doing work you love begins as a decision, followed by action. It is a conscious choice to identify what lights you up, move forward with intention, and not settle for the status quo. It involves celebrating what’s working and committing to changing what isn’t.

You are here to do great work, and the world needs your contribution. Take action, starting now, so you can be the person at the party who absolutely lights up when talking about your work!

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Steve Jobs

What tips would you add to this list? Share your ideas 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 feel stuck – whether in their leadership abilities, at a certain income level, or “spinning their wheels” in the day-to-day – to flourish towards a purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.

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

Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, and via Twitter.

Author Archives: Christi Hegstad