Category Archives: Uncategorized

One Thing You Can Improve This Week

Christi Hegstad August 24th, 2020
The more concerned we become over things we can’t control, the less we will do to improve those things we can control.
– John Wooden

Due to a whopper of a storm, we recently lost power for about a week.

Due to a global pandemic, work, travel, even routine tasks have changed drastically.

I could quickly name a dozen other unexpected occurrences, and I bet you could, too.

There are a lot of things we cannot control.

How helpful do you find it to dwell on them?

This week, focus on what you can improve.

We all make a bigger difference than we probably realize. And we all have room for growth!

What’s one thing within your control that you could improve this week?

Your mindset or self-talk?

Your willingness to listen to a perspective different from your own?

Your ability to pause before responding?

The very next line following the above quote from The Essential Wooden reads: “Nevertheless, this is easier said than done.”

All the best goals typically are – which makes them all the more worthwhile!

Want to look back on 2020 as the year of your most meaningful success? Contact me today to discuss coaching!

Learning From Unexpected Teachers

Christi Hegstad August 6th, 2020
Everyone is either your student or your teacher. Most people are both.
Regina Brett

When I think back to my school days, certain teachers and professors stand out in my mind. They taught me so much about sharing the love of learning, inspiring the passionate pursuit of making a difference, and simplifying the complex.

Others stand out, too: The receptionist who made me laugh whenever I entered the office, the student who helped me understand geometry a little better, the associate who always shared a kind word even amidst her own incredible personal struggle.

I am thankful for all they taught me, often without even realizing it.

This week, learn from everyone who appears in your path.

If you marvel at their ability to listen deeply, or to express themselves clearly, or to demonstrate empathy, take note. What do you learn from them that you want to incorporate into your own life?

If you are frustrated by their actions, take note. What do you learn from them that you wish to do differently?

Opportunities to learn – about ourselves, others, and our interconnectedness – abound. Make this a week of learning!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Difference-Making Achievers! Reach out today to discuss coaching opportunities.

Before You Throw Out Your 2020 Goals…

Christi Hegstad August 4th, 2020

“Well, there’s always next year!”

More than a few people have thought this while looking at their 2020 goals and deeming them unattainable.

Others have decided their goals are still important – they may just need to change the methodology or timeline.

If you’re on the fence about your goals, I encourage you to focus on the following:

1. How far you’ve come.

Last month I sent my email community my Mid-Year Review + Renew worksheet inside our June newsletter. Pull that out again, paying particular attention to your responses in the “Review” section.

You have definitely grown this year!

Acknowledge and celebrate your growth, even if it looks different than expected.

Plant Grow Seedling Sunshine

2. The why behind your goal.

Maybe you, like me, had several speaking engagements booked for this year that have been cancelled or postponed.

Why did those engagements matter to you? Truly?

If it’s because you want to positively impact others’ lives, what are some alternative routes you can do that right now? If it’s because you want to share your research, add to your income, promote your book, or something else, ask yourself how you can still meet the ‘why’ even if the ‘how’ looks different.

Why Purpose Reason Definition

3. Small victories.

One of my favorite ways to acknowledge small victories involves a bit of reverse engineering.

For example, I have a goal to run/walk a certain number of miles this year. If I focus on that year-end goal, I’ll likely feel exhausted before even taking a step.

Instead, I have broken it into quarterly, monthly, and weekly sub-goals. On any given day, I am only focused on where I am in relation to that week’s mileage goal. Much more doable!

Silhouette of athlete in position to run on sunset background

4. ‘Mindset Shifters.’

In my bullet journal, I have a large list of what I call Mindset Shifters – various actions, tips, and ideas to lift me up when in a less-than-helpful mood.

I find it so beneficial to have ideas *outside of my head* from which to choose!

Your list could include reading a chapter in an engaging book, listening to an inspiring playlist, going for a walk, dancing, doodling, lighting your favorite scented candle… anything that lifts you up.

(Side note: Bullet journaling in and of itself can be a terrific Mindset Shifter! :-))

New mindset new results motivational phrase sign

5. How you most want to feel.

This may sound ‘woo-woo’ but believe me, it’s powerful.

Consider how you most want to feel at the end of the year. Hold that feeling high, regularly asking yourself how you can begin to feel that way in this moment, too.

You can also decide how you want to feel today, or at this afternoon’s meeting, or for the next five minutes. Decide your chosen feeling, then decide what will help you experience it. Woo-woo or not, it’s a helpful practice!

Woman Victory Sun Field Breathe

And remember…

Yes, we’re in August, but we still have a lot of year left! And a lot of opportunity to progress toward our most meaningful goals.

We don’t know what the future holds, and we never have. But don’t let that stand in the way of your meaningful growth and purposeful change! Start where you are, envision where you want to be, adjust as needed, and consider the above focal points as you move onward and upward.

And if you’d like help figuring out your ideal vision and next best steps, contact me for coaching. Supporting you in achieving meaningful goals is one of my all-time favorite things to do!

 

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Difference-Making Achievers! Reach out today to discuss coaching opportunities.

 

When Your Motivation Fluctuates

Christi Hegstad July 26th, 2020
Some days I am ready to climb Mount Everest and some days the fridge feels far away. But on neither day am I ‘better’ than the other.
– Elise B. Cripe

While journaling the other morning, after a fresh-brewed cup of coffee and a breakthrough idea, I felt like I could take on the world. I stepped into the day feeling confident, strong, and capable.

Two days later? Pretty much the opposite.

Whether spurred by our workload, an unexpected comment, how we spent the weekend, or myriad other factors, we’re bound to have moments of motivation and those of, well, not so much.

Sometimes within the same day!

This week, address – and embrace – where you are.

Rather than judging yourself for fluctuating motivation, get curious instead.

Ask yourself, ‘What do I need in this moment?’ Or feel free to adopt one of my favorite questions, ‘What would make this feel light?’

And whether your response involves jumping into inspired action or spending an hour with a novel and a glass of iced tea, remember that neither determines your worth! You are important, your work matters, and you make a difference.

 

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Difference-Making Achievers! Reach out today to discuss coaching opportunities.

 

Where Will You Focus Your Attention This Week?

Christi Hegstad July 20th, 2020
You can’t change what you see in your rearview mirror.
Bob + Melinda Blanchard

How much time do you spend thinking about things you could have done differently?

How much mental space do you allow for what you wish you had said?

How much energy do you invest in ‘coulda, shoulda, woulda’?

What if you dedicated that time, space, and energy toward creating a more fulfilling future instead?

This week, focus on the possibilities ahead.

Spending too much time looking in the rearview mirror can cause us to veer off course.

There’s value in glancing back from time to time to gain perspective, course-correct, and learn from what’s behind you.

There’s also value in making a conscious decision where to dedicate the bulk of your time and energy.

In which direction will you focus your attention this week?

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Difference-Making Achievers! Reach out today to discuss coaching opportunities.

 

Who Is Responsible For You?

Christi Hegstad July 13th, 2020

Success Principle #1: Take 100% responsibility for your life.

Jack Canfield

Years ago in the ASPIRE Success Club, we discussed Jack Canfield’s excellent book, The Success Principles. It’s one I still keep next to my desk and refer to often.

In this hefty 64-principle resource, the first one – the one that kicks it all off – involves taking complete responsibility for your life.

Does this sound overwhelming – or liberating?

This week, act as though you are 100% responsible for your life.

When an unexpected situation arises, ask yourself what you choose to do about it. Take an action? Voice your thoughts? Handle it as gracefully as possible?

When you want to assign your happiness to someone else, ask yourself how you could invite more happiness into your own life.

In any situation, ask yourself, Who do I want to be in this situation? How can I show up as my best self? What can I change, influence, or learn here?

You may find that taking 100% responsibility for your life offers more freedom than you ever thought possible!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Difference-Making Achievers! Reach out today to discuss coaching opportunities.

The Two Critical Components Of Time Management

Christi Hegstad July 6th, 2020
Here’s the hard truth:
If we don’t decide what is most important to us,
the world will decide for us.
– Molly Fletcher

Time management, in my opinion, comes down to two things:

Priorities + Intention.

Deciding what matters most, then choosing – with intention – to honor those priorities.

Not always as easy as it sounds, but we can definitely take simple steps toward this alignment.

This week, choose one intentional action in favor of your priorities.

For example, in the morning, consider mapping out your Daily Top 3 before checking your email or social media. That way, you get to decide what matters most before weighing in others’ input.

Or block time in your upcoming week for one of your priorities now, before other activities sneak in. Honor that time like you would an appointment you’re paying $1,000 for.

What matters most to you at this time? How will you honor it this week?

 

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Difference-Making Achievers! Reach out today to discuss coaching opportunities.

Do You Have The Mindset Of Commitment?

Christi Hegstad June 28th, 2020
Q: What’s your plan?
A: Whatever it takes.
– Jess Ekstrom

An action map is a critical component of goal achievement. Without breaking a goal into milestones, timelines, and manageable steps, we rarely move from idea to accomplishment in an effective or enjoyable manner.

Right along with that, however, we need the mindset of commitment.

‘That would be nice’ brings about a much different level of action than ‘I am committed to making it happen.’

This week, assess your commitment toward your goal.

Once you’ve re-established how you want the second half of 2020 to look (see my email + worksheet from last Thursday for guidance!), ask yourself how committed you are to making that your reality.

Are you willing to dedicate time to it regularly?

Are you willing to give less attention to other, not-as-important things?

Are you willing to invest in necessary support or resources?

Determine what ‘commitment’ means for you, then check in with yourself. The higher your commitment, the greater your likelihood of achievement!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Difference-Making Achievers! Reach out today to discuss coaching opportunities.

Design Your 2020 Turnaround Story

Christi Hegstad June 25th, 2020

Imagine this:

It’s the end of 2020, and your favorite publication has just contacted you.

Why?

Because they want to feature YOU in their next issue.

They heard about you:

How halfway through 2020 you decided, with intention, to make this a truly outstanding year.

How you focused on a few key areas and grew tremendously in them.

How you took specific actions during the second half of your year to transform your own life as well as the lives of others.

And they want to inspire the world with your story!
How would that feel?
We’re officially at the mid-year point, friends, so now is the time to envision what you want the second half of 2020 to look like – and to make it happen!
Set aside some quiet time with your journal, a cool beverage, and my complimentary Mid-Year Review + Renew worksheet, which you can request here.
Have fun with this exercise! And if you’d like to make the ideal your reality, contact me today for a coaching consultation!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Difference-Making Achievers! Contact us today to discuss coaching opportunities.

Purpose Leaves Clues

Christi Hegstad June 21st, 2020
Purpose is a direction, like ‘west.’ No matter how far west you go, there’s still more west to travel. And like directions, purpose helps you choose where to go along the route.
– Leider + Shapiro

I love this description of purpose.

It’s a great reminder that purpose isn’t a destination at which we arrive, but rather an ever-present guide, model, and way of being.

Purpose lights the way for us to fulfill our highest potential.

This week, ask yourself purposeful questions.

For example:

When do I feel most alive, fulfilled, engaged?

What issues do I most want to solve?

When people describe me, what words do I hope come to mind?

Pay attention to when you feel purposeful in your work, with your family, in conversation, even in leisure activities. Just like success, purpose leaves clues!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for Difference-Making Achievers – contact us today to discuss coaching opportunities!

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