Comparison, Comfort Zones, + The Things That Hold Us Back

Christi Hegstad November 22nd, 2020

This opportunity sounds awesome but…

…it would be so out of my comfort zone.

…I don’t feel like I could compare to others in the group.

…I have no idea what my goals are – or if I even have any.

…I’m not sure I’d fit in.

…I’ve never done anything like this before.

Have you ever let one of these fears keep you from enrolling in a course, joining a group, or engaging in a development opportunity that could potentially change your career or life?

I can definitely empathize. If you’ve avoided pursuing a meaningful opportunity due to one of these issues, or something similar, maybe what I’ve shared with potential ASPIRE members will help you, too.

First, comparison really only exists when you choose to compare. In ASPIRE, for example, everyone wants to achieve something meaningful in their own work or lives, and they also want to support others in their pursuits. We celebrate, support, and collaborate – rather than compete.

You can adopt the same mindset wherever you go, whatever you pursue.

In addition, our comfort zones are an illusion. Have you ever not joined a group, for example, and still felt uncomfortable at times? Discomfort is a part of life; personally, I prefer the type that will stretch and grow me rather than the kind that arrives unexpectedly!

I predict 2021 will be a year of building, showing up, and extraordinary growth. Make your plans now for the guidance and support that will get you where you want to be – whether it’s enrolling in a certification course, hiring a coach, or joining the ASPIRE Success Club. Next year at this time, you’ll be SO glad you did!

Doors are about to close on the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club – enroll today!

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Feeling Ho-Hum About Setting New Goals?

Christi Hegstad November 21st, 2020

When you work primarily with achievers, goal-setting is typically an important part of the process. And let’s face it, most of us achievers love to set, work toward, and fulfill meaningful goals.

But these days, many are hesitant. “Nothing went according to plan this year,” a friend recently said. “Do I even bother setting new goals?”

My short answer: YES. And here’s why.

Science has repeatedly shown us that working toward meaningful goals benefits our overall wellbeing.

“People who strive for something personally significant … are far happier than those who don’t have strong dreams or aspirations,” writes researcher Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky in her excellent book, The How Of Happiness.

She gives examples like learning a new craft, changing careers, or raising moral children. “Having meaningful goals bolsters our self-esteem,” she confirms.

Numerous other scientists report similar findings. Even without the abundant research behind it, you have probably experienced the focus, motivation, and sense of flow that can accompany moving toward a meaningful, purposeful goal.

Maybe instead of giving up goals altogether, shift how you design them. Some considerations:

Start with celebration.

Be honest: When setting new resolutions or goals, do you start by focusing on all that you do well – or on all the areas you still need to improve?

Most begin with the latter. I encourage you to do the opposite.

Before you even ponder goal possibilities for 2021, make a list of wins you’ve experienced in the past year or two. A work promotion, an exercise routine, keeping your houseplants alive … they all count.

Start your process from a place of celebration and optimism. You’ll create far better – and likely much more meaningful – goals as a result.

Focus on short-term objectives.

Clarify the big picture – whether that’s 10 years into the future, five years, or one. Then, focus your energy in the present.

This is an area we’ll really place as a priority in the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club. Members will receive training to set a Bold Goal for the year, but then will also have quarterly, monthly, and weekly resources (and accountability, if they choose) to ensure they know what actions to take on any given day to move them toward their goal.

On a Tuesday morning in February, it’s much easier to say, “What do I need to do today to reach this week’s objective?” rather than “What do I need to do today to reach the goal I’m aiming for ten months from now?”

Change your vocabulary.

Someone recently emailed me with the line, “To the queen of goal-setting!” I would gladly accept this title – but I have met many people in my 17+ years as a coach who associate goals with frustration, failure, and less-than-enjoyable experiences.

If the word ‘goal’ brings up negative connotations for you, here’s an easy tip: Replace the word.

Intention, aspiration, target – open your favorite thesaurus app and see what speaks to you.

And the most important component, in my opinion: Know your why. Knowing the purpose behind your goal will fuel your motivation like nothing else, another aspect we spend a good deal of focus on in ASPIRE.

How are you rethinking goals for the new year? Share your thoughts below. And if you’d like an entire series on goal-setting for 2021, let me know or join the ASPIRE Success Club, where you’ll start experiencing positive, purposeful goal-setting training next month!

Time is running out to join the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club! Click here to enroll!

Gift Ideas For The Achiever In Your Life

Christi Hegstad November 20th, 2020

Want to let the achievers in your life know you appreciate them?

Looking for new ways to treat yourself this holiday season?

Here are 5 gift ideas for achievers to get your thoughts flowing:

1. Enrollment into a group or course, like the ASPIRE Success Club – the gift that keeps on giving all year long!

2. A lovely journal and set of colorful pens, or perhaps a fountain pen.

3. A magazine subscription. Consider something in their field, a general growth-oriented magazine like Success or Harvard Business Review, or one related to a just-for-fun hobby or passion.

4. A personal / professional development book, or a gift card to your local bookstore. You can search my blog for dozens (maybe hundreds, at this point!) of recommendations.

5. A candle, bath salts, tea… because sometimes we achievers need reminders to rest. 🙂

What other gifts come to mind? Share your suggestions / wishes below! And remember to ‘shop small’ whenever possible – all of us small business owners thank you!

Join us in the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club before enrollment closes for the year! Click here for details and to enroll!

Honoring The Nudge

Christi Hegstad November 19th, 2020

Have you ever had someone pop into your mind for no apparent reason?

And then reach out to them, only to discover they were in the midst of a particularly challenging time and your call meant the world to them?

I call this ‘honoring the nudge,’ and I am trying to do it more often in my life.

I am never sorry when I do.

Today, if someone comes to mind seemingly out of nowhere, I challenge you to connect with them.

You never know when your call, note, or text might arrive at just the right time!

Join us in the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club before enrollment closes for the year! Click here for details and to enroll!

Believe Big

Christi Hegstad November 18th, 2020

I have no problem dreaming big. In fact, certain people in my life would probably prefer I tone down my dreams a bit. 🙂

What I’ve come to realize, however, is that I sometimes have difficulty believing big.

Never for my clients, never for my family members. And usually not for myself.

But sometimes.

I’ve started paying attention to the signs indicating that the level of my belief is not quite matching that of my dream. My energy dips, my motivation drops, and I am much more likely to procrastinate.

Once I am aware, I can start to address. I have built quite a toolkit of actions to help align my beliefs with my dreams! Let me know if you’d like me to share those tools in a future blog.

What do you notice when you have a big dream but don’t quite believe you can reach it? Have you found actions, tools, or steps that help?

Join us in the ASPIRE Success Club, where we support your big dreams and bold goals all year long! Enrollment closes soon – join us today!

When You Think One Person Can’t Possibly Make A Difference

Christi Hegstad November 17th, 2020

You may think the issues we face right now are so large-scale that one person can’t possibly make a difference.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Let me give you a few examples:

A small business owner wonders if she can realistically keep her doors open any longer. Unexpectedly, a client raves about the business on social media and the outstanding experience he had. The client’s friends and connections see the post, the small business owner starts to receive new inquiries, and the business starts to revive.

Starting with the generous efforts of one thoughtful person.

A nonprofit dedicated to feeding the hungry is low on food. A member of the community asks her neighborhood to drop off donations on her front porch, stating that she will mask up and deliver them to the nonprofit the following week. Word spreads, a nearby company volunteers to match efforts, and suddenly two van-fulls of food – plus additional monetary donations – begin replenishing the pantry.

Beginning with the actions of one committed person.

Or consider Dale Schroeder, a quiet carpenter in Iowa, who has sent 33 kids and counting to college (read about Dale here).

One thoughtful, committed person who has set an astounding ripple effect in motion.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world,” anthropologist Margaret Mead wrote. “Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Guess what a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens starts with?

One thoughtful, committed person.

You.

Me.

Rate and review that podcast you love. ‘Like’ and comment on the posts of that small business you admire. Forward the newsletter of your favorite nonprofit to your friends. Call the person who popped into your mind today. Write a testimonial. Send a note. Text a simple comment of gratitude.

There are countless, simple ways to make a difference.

How will you make yours today?

Less than two weeks to surround yourself with the most positive, purposeful difference-makers you’ll ever hope to meet. Join the ASPIRE Success Club today!

Choosing To Grow (Or Not)

Christi Hegstad November 15th, 2020

Sometimes our greatest gifts grow from what we are not given. – Erica Bauermeister

I recently read a novel where the main character loved the homemade food she had while visiting a friend. Her parents, however, did not cook.

She could have said, “Oh well, guess I’ll just never have homemade food.”

Instead, she considered her options, and decided she would actually like to learn how to cook.

As a result, she ended up discovering a true passion and gift, going on to become an incredible chef, restaurant owner, and teacher of cooking classes.

She asked herself what she could do to make her vision a reality. Then she sought the information and support needed to make it happen.

Where could you choose growth over frustration, resentment, or wishing things were different?

There are many things we may not be given in life – or in 2020 alone.

Rather than let them bring you down, use them as fuel to lift you, and others, up.

We don’t always get to choose our circumstances, but we do get to choose how we respond.

We can choose to grow. Or we can choose not to.

What choices will you make this week toward meaning, purpose, and growth?

Choose an entire YEAR of growth with us in the ASPIRE Success Club! Just two weeks left to enroll – click here to join us!

A Different Kind Of ‘What If…’ Question

Christi Hegstad November 15th, 2020

What if we had an unwavering belief in ourselves? What if we always knew that there was nothing too big to stand in our way? What if we truly believed that against all odds we will always figure it out?

– Jess Ekstrom

How many ‘what if’ questions do you ask yourself on a given day?

How many of them stem from a place of optimism?

I often use a methodology called appreciative inquiry with my coaching clients (we’ll delve into this in the 2021 ASPIRE Success Club, too), which incorporates a number of questions arising from a place of possibility.

I can tell you from years of experience, this leads to wildly different outcomes than focusing on negativity, blame, and a mindset of ‘it’ll never work.’

This week, ask new ‘what if’ questions.

For example:

What if we experienced the ideal in this situation – what would that look like?

What if there’s a solution we haven’t thought of yet?

What if we approach this from a new angle?

What if we take one small action in the direction of our vision?

What if it all works out?

By clarifying the vision, you can then generate the action steps to get you there.

What if you gave this a try this week?

Only two weeks left to enroll in the group that will bring you clarity, community, and coaching all throughout 2021! Click here to join the ASPIRE Success Club!

50’ish Days: Who Will YOU Be?

Christi Hegstad November 14th, 2020

In our ASPIRE Success Club meetings this week, each member shared a word or phrase that they want to describe them in these final weeks of 2020. We started with this question:

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Regardless of external circumstances, how do you ideally want to be / feel in these remaining 50’ish days of the year?

Or, imagine it’s December 31 and you’re looking back: What word do you most want to describe you in those last 50’ish days of the year?

Some words that came up in our meetings: Peaceful, calm, productive, light, intentional, grateful.

You can ask yourself a similar question. The next step, then, is to let your word fuel your actions. For example, if your word is ‘peaceful,’ a few questions you can ask yourself:

* What tends to make me feel peaceful? How can I bring this into my daily life?

* How can I design my surroundings in a way that invites peace?

* What would bring peacefulness into this current moment?

Consider creating a breakthrough map of ideas and actions that support your word, too. Continuing with the ‘peaceful’ example, ideas might include going for a walk, turning on a meditation app for 5 minutes, lighting a scented candle, calling a friend or support person, brewing a cup of tea… whatever comes to mind for YOU.

We have a lot going on around us. All the more reason to decide, with intention, who and how we wish to be in the world, and then gently encourage ourselves to carry that out. Different moments may require different actions, which is why the breakthrough map can be so helpful in this regard.

Let me know if you have any questions or if I can support you further in this. In the comments below, please share the word/phrase that comes to mind for you!

Participate from anywhere! Gain the clarity, community, and coaching you crave! Join the ASPIRE Success Club today before enrollment closes for the year!

7 Quick Ways To Get Un-Tired

Christi Hegstad November 13th, 2020

We’re hearing – and experiencing – it everywhere: Zoom fatigue. Election exhaustion. Pandemic overwhelm.

A meme I saw last week captured well what many of us may feel:

“I’m tired but I’m trying.”

Quality sleep, good nutrition, and other basics are important, and I’ll leave those to the health coaches to share their expertise. What I’d love to offer you today are 7 quick – and in some cases, counterintuitive – ways to help put a zip back in your step and a light in your leadership!

1. Speak With Someone Inspiring.

Two coaching clients have opened businesses in the past few weeks. ASPIRE Success Club members have led, achieved, transformed, and grown in exponential ways. My own coaches and mastermind partners provide extraordinary perspective. No matter how my day is going, these meetings and discussions never fail to inspire me!

Who inspires you? Who consistently leaves you feeling better after a conversation with them? Whether it’s a friend or family member, your coach, or a peer at work, make it a point to connect with them for a mutually uplifting conversation. (And if no one comes to mind, join us in ASPIRE – inspiration abounds!)

2. Create More Than You Consume.

I want to encourage this in two parts:

First, decide for yourself what your top priorities are for the day – before you look at your phone, email, etc. Yes, your priorities may change, but begin your day discerning what *you* place at the top before you let others determine what’s important for you.

Then, to the extent possible, focus on being a ‘maker’ in the morning. Plan a meeting agenda, design a spreadsheet, paint a mural … create something from your own wellspring of inspiration (it’s there, trust me!) before you consume – ie, via social media – what everyone else is creating.

3. Start With A Win.

My coaching clients know that before we dive into our focus for the session, I’m going to ask them to share a ‘win’ they’ve experienced recently. You can do something similar in your department meetings or one-on-ones. Get in the habit, and help others get in the habit, of celebrating what’s going well – an instant energy boost!

4. Change Your Language.

The title of this article is an example of what not to say. 🙂

Instead of “How can I be less tired?” ask “How can I feel more energized / vibrant?”

Instead of “How can I be less frustrated?” ask “How can I help my day run more smoothly?”

As one of my clients wisely put it last week, “Words are everything.” Be intentional with yours – whether you’re saying them out loud or in your mind.

5. Lift Someone Else.

My guess is you’re probably doing a lot for others these days, so this one may seem counterintuitive. But I’d also guess that much of what you’re doing for others – around your home, for your team, with your child’s schooling – may be out of necessity.

That’s important. Also important is finding fun and inspiring ways to care for others: pay for the coffee for the person behind you, volunteer for the cause you believe in so deeply, write a social media post highlighting someone else’s awesomeness.

One of the first items I ever cross-stitched had this quote (attribution unknown): “The best exercise for the heart is reaching down and lifting up another.” Twenty-five years later, that cross-stitch still serves as a reminder in my home.

6. Change Your Scenery.

While traveling to new lands might not be a viable option right now, get creative with your scenery: Rearrange furniture. Declutter your desk. Refresh the photos or artwork on your wall. Put up your holiday decorations (twinkle lights make a surprising difference!). Focus on being creative within your current reality rather than wishing it away.

7. Walk It Out.

Even if it’s just for five minutes, even if it’s only 20 degrees outside – get some fresh air and move your body. Nearly all of my best ideas lately have come while on a walk, not while sitting in front of my computer. And if walking isn’t an option, then stretch, dance, or replace with another movement-oriented activity.

Which one of these ideas – or a new one that comes to mind – will make the most impact for you today? Give it a whirl, and let me know how it goes!