Everything Is Figureoutable: A Few Book Takeaways

Christi Hegstad April 1st, 2020

“You never get stronger if you only do easy things,” writes Marie Forleo. Does anyone feel like they must be gaining super-strength lately?

I am re-reading Forleo’s wonderfully empowering book, Everything Is Figureoutable, in preparation for some coaching and facilitation work this month. I love her no-nonsense, no-excuses approach reminding us that we are resourceful, capable, and stronger than we realize.

She also emphasizes the power and importance of BELIEF: Believing in ourselves and our ability to figure things out, even if we don’t always feel like we have the answers.

Think of the people you admire who have made a difference in our world. “Could you imagine,” she asks, “if Malala Yousafzai felt she wasn’t old enough, privileged enough, or strong enough to champion girls’ education?” It all starts with our belief, with our mindset. And this is something we can change, influence, and strengthen – even when things around us feel uncontrollable and/or as if they are changing at a rapid pace.

“There are countless people out there who need the gifts that you and you alone are here to give,” writes Forleo, and I wholeheartedly agree. A strengthening and empowering book for sure!

Do you believe everything is figureoutable? What might change if you adopted that belief for a while?

Share your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

Lessons From Your Future Self

Christi Hegstad March 29th, 2020

Are you in a season of transformation?

In changing and challenging times, taking one day at a time can provide a healthy focus. We can strive to take care of ourselves and others, honor our values, engage in purposeful practices, make our difference.

Simultaneously, we can envision our beautiful future.

This week, consult your future self.

In other words, when we emerge from this period, how will you want to describe yourself? What do you wish to see?

Personally, I am leaning on the butterfly metaphor and viewing this as a season of transformation.

I want to emerge a better, stronger, higher-level version of myself. You can see my latest Facebook or Instagram post for details on what that means for me, but more importantly, what does it mean for you?

When we emerge from this season, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, what are a few words you want to describe you – and how might you put them into action today?

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

Is Courage A Choice? 3 Purposeful Courage Boosters You Can Implement Today

Christi Hegstad March 27th, 2020

In a class I held recently, as well as in a poll I posted on Facebook, I asked a question:

Is courage a choice?

All respondents said YES.

Which raises another question: If courage is simply a choice, why would we ever choose otherwise?

As I’m sure you can imagine, various factors can come into play. Courage may (and typically does) require us to step out of our comfort zone, which is, well, uncomfortable. Like Brene Brown writes, “You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.”

It’s easier to choose – and re-choose – courage when we have some sturdy tools in our tool kit. Hence today’s article! I hope you feel empowered by these three ideas that you can implement right away.

Determine your Courage Role Model.

When you think of the word COURAGE, who pops into your mind?

My Grandma is one of my Courage Role Models. She exemplified courage in how she persevered through challenges, maintained optimism in difficulty, cared for others and herself, found and created humor … and so many other reasons. When I need a boost of courage, I sometimes think, “What would Grandma do in this situation?”

Think of your own Courage Role Model, whether someone in your immediate life or someone who, from afar, appears to exemplify courage. Then ask yourself (perhaps in your journal) a few questions:

What qualities do they embody that I’d like to develop in myself?

If I asked them what helps build their courage, what might they tell me?

If they were in my current situation, how might they approach it?

Take your newly-discovered knowledge, which was with you all along, and apply it as needed.

Who is your Courage Role Model?

Develop a Courage Mantra.

When my son played on the baseball team, I loved how fans and teammates would cheer and encourage each of the players as they went up to bat. One of the parents often used the phrase, “Say you can!”

It took me a beat, but I came to love that phrase. Often, when we feel less than courageous, it’s because our mind is telling us stories: “What makes you think you can do this?” or “You’re out of your league here,” for example. That simple phrase, “Say you can,” offers a quick and effective reply when your inner critic wants to say you can’t.

I have a variety of mantras I choose from regularly; everything from “You got this” to “Focus on today” to “This too shall pass” to “Peace be with you.” I often choose one before I head out on a walk, then match its repeating rhythm with my footsteps.

What is your courage mantra? How can you use it today?

Document Your Own Track Record.

The fact of the matter is, you’ve demonstrated courage throughout your entire life. But do you give yourself credit for it?

Sometimes that ol’ comparison trap prevents us from honoring our own courage. We think making that phone call we were scared to make doesn’t count – “It’s not something Hollywood producers would come knocking on my door about,” a client recently told me.

But – did you step out of your comfort zone? Did you do something you weren’t sure you could? Did you face an uncertainty or fear, stay true to your values, or speak up even if your voice was shaky?

That takes courage, my friend.

Create a list of 5 or more times you did something courageous and were glad you did. Continue adding to the list as you continue living your life. You’ll always have documented proof of your courage to look back on when your mind wants to convince you otherwise.

What shows up on your courage list?

Which of these ideas speaks to you today? What other courage boosters have you found helpful? Share your insights with other courageous and purposeful folks on Facebook or Instagram!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

Inviting Inner Calm

Christi Hegstad March 25th, 2020

Every day or so, I am posting a Connection Question over on my Facebook business page. Sometimes they are coaching questions, sometimes mindset or positive psychology-related questions, and sometimes just-for-fun questions. My hope is that these prompts help you connect with your own wisdom and purpose, as well as with others in our outstanding and purposeful community. Feel free to join the conversation!

Today’s question: What brings you a sense of inner calm?

If you feel a bit wonky these days, you are not alone. This is a beautiful time to continue – or perhaps start – some practices that serve you well. Below you’ll find over 3 dozen ideas to consider:

Start a Positivity, Gratitude, and/or Success Journal

Stretch

Help empower someone

Read something inspirational

Visualize

Meditate (Insight Timer can be a great place to start!)

Meaningfully connect with someone

Smile for 30 seconds

Exercise

Clean up your space (desk or reading nook, for example)

Set a daily intention

Pray

Create (ie, paint, write a song, bake bread)

Record 3 gratitudes

Remember and focus on what you can influence

Take an action toward (or set) a goal

Sing

Organize something (a bookshelf, for example)

Pet a dog or cat

Write and/or recite affirmations

Mindfully take in your surroundings

Ask ‘How might I help someone today?’

Go for a walk (outdoors if possible)

Take some fun or clever photos

Do a power pose

Talk with an uplifting friend

Draw / doodle

Be a conscious consumer

Share ridiculous jokes with a friend or family member

Dance

Write in a journal

Listen to an uplifting audiobook, podcast, or affirmation reading

Tend your plants

Make a list of joyful and/or calming activities

State a mantra

Declutter

Take deep intentional breaths

Write (or read) a poem

Laugh

Take a bath

Choose a healthy new habit to start

Reach your arms to the sky for a few moments

Savor a beverage or food item

Put your hands on your heart

Review your vision statement, purpose statement, values

Ask yourself, “What do I need in this moment?”

Which one resonates most with you? Which one would you add? Share your thoughts on Facebook! And know that I am cheering for you, supporting you, and wishing you a day and a life filled with meaning and purpose.

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

Gaining Strength Within Challenge

Christi Hegstad March 24th, 2020

Certain times call on our inner resources in new ways.

We may be navigating various emotions, making unique decisions, and exploring different territories.

And, perhaps without even realizing it, getting stronger in the process.

This week, remember your strength.

A few things that may help:

Consider challenges you have navigated in the past. What tools, resources, mindset shifts, actions, and/or beliefs helped you?

Continue, or develop, practices that support your strength, such as positive self-talk, movement, music, or a morning or evening routine, for example.

Ask yourself new questions, such as: What would help me feel strong today? How can I make the most of this very moment?

Experiment with various ways to connect with others such as phone, text, Zoom, FaceTime, writing letters, and myriad others.

Consider leaning into things like optimism, peacefulness, kindness, random smiling, and so on.

At times when it feels like much is out of our control, we can benefit from focusing on what we CAN do. I recently posted a blog sharing 50 such things – feel free to read it here, use what serves you, and add your ideas to the list!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

What Can You Do? Here Are 50 Ideas To Get You Started.

Christi Hegstad March 21st, 2020

How do you feel when you focus on all the things you cannot do, control, change, improve, or implement?

How about when you focus on all the things you actually CAN do?

Here’s a pretty accurate depiction for me: 🙂

In times of uncertainty, challenge yourself to focus on all the things you can do. Below I share 50 examples to get you started – some focused on personal growth, others on professional development.

Not all of them may necessarily apply to you, but feel free to choose one or two that do. Better yet, use this as a launch pad for your own list of ideas!

1. Choose your mindset. You cannot always choose what happens but you can choose your response. There is power in knowing, and reminding yourself of, this.

2. Write a thank you note. For whom are you especially grateful right now? Send a note to a teacher, healthcare provider, researcher, grocery store clerk, delivery person, or whomever comes to mind for you.

3. Read. Books, novels, industry publications – set up a comfortable nook and make reading part of your daily practice.

4. Volunteer. Reach out to your favorite nonprofit and ask what they need. Your service may look a little different at the moment, but even sharing social media posts can help raise awareness. Financial donations can make a significant difference, too.

5. Be a conscious consumer. Decide, with intention, how – and how much – information you will take in. Choose your sources of this info as well.

6. Brainstorm. Create a Breakthrough Map around new ideas, projects, services, product possibilities, systems, or anything else that needs unlocking.

7. Create a schedule. Decide a few things things you want to make a priority each day (movement, reading, or meditation, for example) and set up a new schedule for yourself.

8. Write reviews, testimonials, and endorsements. This can be a simple but powerful way to support your favorite professionals and small businesses.

9. Share helpful hints. For example, use your social media platforms to share 3 things you’re finding helpful right now. Use your voice to inspire and uplift.

10. Learn a new skill. What have you always wanted to learn but felt you haven’t had time for? Maybe now’s the time! Think personal, professional, creative, relational – any area at all.

11. Advance a current skill. Personal, professional, interpersonal, goal-related – build your reservoir of skills and strengths.

12. Meet colleagues, friends, or family members for virtual coffee dates. Using FaceTime, Zoom, or other similar technology feels almost like you’re right in the room with them! You can still see each others’ faces, catch each others’ nonverbals, and engage in meaningful discussion.

13. Start a project. That article or book you’ve been thinking about writing? That class you’ve wanted to create? That service you’ve thought about launching? Give it a kickstart!

14. Listen to podcasts. I have spent many of my driving, walking, and laundry hours over the past few years learning from – or laughing with – podcasts! Check your favorite podcast app, download a few, and discover ones you enjoy!

15. Pitch yourself to podcasts. If you already have some favorite podcasts and also have a great message to share, reach out to see if you might become a guest. You might even look into starting your own.

16. Enroll in a course. Countless classes and programs are now available online via universities, businesses, art platforms, and more. Many of them are free of charge, and some may help you fulfill continuing education requirements in your industry.

17. Begin a morning routine. Decide what will help you wake up feeling positive and purposeful, then commit to it daily. Here’s a detailed overview of my morning routine if you’re looking for ideas!

18. Begin an evening routine, too. Explore what supports your peaceful wind-down and sleep. Examples might include reading, a warm beverage, soft music, bath, putting away electronics, or myriad others.

19. Get active on LinkedIn. Update your profile, seek out groups in your industry, add ideas and solutions to conversations.

20. Laugh. Whether funny movies, comedian sketches, humorous podcasts, or sharing hilarious stories with others, experience the many benefits of a good laugh.

21. Conduct informational interviews. Is there a field, industry, leadership practice, or something else that you’d like to learn more about? Generate your questions and set up phone interviews to learn more.

22. Secure support. You don’t have to go it alone! Hire a coach, find an accountability partner, join a like-minded group, and/or obtain the support that will serve you best.

23. Research. Delve into topics from industry trends to findings in sales psychology to how to grow your subscriber list and beyond.

24. Learn a new technology. Canva, Google Analytics, Facebook Live – pick one and see how you can use it for personal or professional growth.

25. Engage in self-discovery. Journaling can be a great place to start! Click here for some prompts if you want to start a journal but aren’t sure what to write.

26. Spiritually connect. Pray, read spiritual texts, seek out daily devotionals, and/or otherwise engage in the spiritual practices that best serve you.

27. Walk. In nature if you can, otherwise on the treadmill or even a few brisk laps around your living room. Movement can get your creative juices flowing in addition to providing numerous other benefits.

28. Take virtual tours. You can find many online for national parks, cities you plan to visit in the future, and more.

29. Mentor someone. Offer to share your time and expertise with an emerging leader in your organization, industry, or community.

30. Plan a goal. What is something you want to accomplish in the next few years? Begin mapping out your possible action steps.

31. Organize your photos. Maybe not alllll your photos 🙂 but choose a segment of them to sort, arrange, and/or display.

32. Practice a craft. Doodle, sew, paint, play an instrument. Engage different parts of your body and your brain.

33. Watch TED Talks. You can enter a subject (ie, leadership), author, or other criteria into the search function and find any number of succinct and inspiring lessons.

34. Write inspiring chalk messages on your sidewalk. (Thank you, neighbor, for this added delight to my walk today!) If you can’t get outside, pull out your crayons, colored pencils, or markers and make some inspiring posters instead.

35. Declutter. A closet, home office, junk drawer, kitchen cabinet… Clear away the excess and see if it renews your energy!

36. Write a ‘tips sheet’ in your area of expertise. You could even create a list of funny movies, inspiring books, or other helpful resources. Share with people who could benefit.

37. Do a jigsaw puzzle. If you don’t have one (or if you’re not a fan), consider crossword puzzles, sudoku, or other funtivities that engage your mind in different ways.

38. Be a pen pal. Write and mail a fun, uplifting note to a friend. Knowing that you’re boosting someone else’s spirits will likely boost yours, too.

39. Complete a satisfying task. And maybe choose one you’ve been procrastinating on. My ceiling fans are in dire need of a wipe-down – not my favorite chore but one that will feel good to complete!

40. Create a vision board. Consider your dreams and goals, find or create pictures to represent them, and glue them to a board that you can look at every day for inspiration.

41. Try a new recipe. Or pull out an old favorite. Or create your own!

42. Meditate. It took me a while (a long while!) to get into meditation, but I’m so grateful I finally did. You can learn my experience and resources here.

43. Get your in-box to zero. If not zero, pick a number that feels good and reasonable to you and go for that.

44. Clean up your digital space. While you’re at #43, think of other things you could minimize or delete on your computer or phone: unnecessary apps, unused icons, or email subscriptions you never read, to name a few.

45. Seek support. Remember, you don’t have to go it alone. Connect with a professional, accountability partner, supervisor, or whomever may best meet your needs. Counselors and therapists, too!

46. Tend to your plants. If you don’t have any, look at a gardening catalog or website and decide which plants ‘speak’ to you the most.

47. Start a blog. Then share learnings, experiences, fashion trends, craft ideas, or other info that might help uplift others.

48. Organize one area. Maybe your utensil drawer, your books, or your notes from the various trainings you’ve attended. Choose a realistic-sized area and get it straightened up.

49. Just be. This does not always come easily for achievers, but encourage yourself to be, feel, relax. Even just slowly savoring a cup of coffee can become a soothing act in and of itself.

50. Ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can do in this moment?”

Which one speaks to you most right away? What others would you add? Share your ideas below, or on Instagram or Facebook!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

A Tool For Times Of Uncertainty

Christi Hegstad March 16th, 2020

For the past twenty years or so, I have relied on a simple but incredibly empowering tool to help me navigate challenging, uncertain, or downright difficult times. For nearly as long, I have walked countless coaching clients through this tool as well.

I have witnessed this process support people through numerous unexpected difficulties: job losses, health diagnoses, changes in relationship, parenting issues, business upsets, financial hardships … you name it, I have probably drawn two circles on a page to address it.

I call these the Power Circles, and I adapted them from a resource shared in the phenomenal book – one of my all-time favorites – First Things First (Stephen Covey, A. Roger Merrill, Rebecca R. Merrill, Free Press, 1994).

Here’s how it works:

Draw a good-sized circle in the center of a page, then draw a slightly larger circle around it. Label the outer one your Circle of Concern and the center one your Circle of Influence.

Circle of Concern

Let’s start with the outer Circle of Concern. Here is where you can write anything that’s troubling you about the situation, but that you don’t really have any control over. These might include worries, frustrations, fears, ‘what if’ scenarios, ‘why me / why now?’ questions, and anything else that comes to mind.

I often refer to the Circle of Concern as our ‘reactive mode’ circle. It might include those initial feelings that come with change as well as those lingering worries that occupy precious space in our minds.

Get them out of your head and onto paper. We aren’t here to pretend that those things don’t exist, nor to judge ourselves for feeling what we feel. We just want to make sure we focus the majority of our energy where it will best serve us.

Circle of Influence

Now let’s focus on the inner Circle of Influence. Here we’ll do something similar, however this time we’re writing down any and all things we can do to change, improve, alter, or otherwise impact the situation or some small part therein.

When you’re in the midst of a difficult time, this proactive focus doesn’t always come easily – but challenge yourself to do it anyway. You can also seek input from your coach or trusted others. Get as many ideas onto paper as you can; you are not committing to all of them, you’re simply brainstorming (or what I heard recently referred to as ‘heartstorming’ – I like that :-)).

I will admit, part of me really wants to call this the Circle of Control, because that languaging – ‘focus on what’s in your control’ – tends to help in times of uncertainty. But as Covey et al explains, when we focus our energy over time on that center circle, “We find positive ways to influence more people and circumstances.” We can’t necessarily control people and circumstances, but we can influence them – or our relationship with them.

The great thing about focusing on the Circle of Influence is that as we do, it actually expands – making the Circle of Concern smaller at the same time.

I like to imagine my mind in this way, too: The more I come up with solutions and actions, the less space available for my concerns and worries.

A Timely Example

The other morning, I woke up concerned – like all of you, I’m sure – about our current pandemic situation. I acknowledged my feelings, then started asking myself some questions:

What can I do?

How can I help?

What actions can I take?

I pulled out my journal and – you guessed it – drew two circles.

I began with the outer Circle of Concern. I imagine my concerns are similar to yours, so I won’t delve into detail with them here. After listing a handful in my journal, I knew it was time to shift gears.

I then challenged myself to come up with a variety of actions I/we could take, things we could focus on, ideas that might help. Again, this is not a to-do list or commitment page; it’s a brainstorm/heartstorm.

Here are some that appeared on my list:

1. Make mindset practices part of your routine: Journaling, daily intention, gratitudes, affirmations, e.g.

2. Engage in the physical health practices that serve you: Nutrition, exercise, sleep, e.g.

3. Develop a personal mantra: A quick phrase you can memorize and repeat as needed, such as “This too shall pass” or “What can I do in this very moment?”

4. Mindfully choose where you get your information. And how much, too.

5. Review your personal track record. You’ve likely been through countless challenges and difficulties throughout your life. What has helped you through them?

6. Review our collective track record. Our communities, countries, and world have faced challenges and difficulties in the past as well. What has helped in those times?

7. Surround yourself with positive, solution-oriented people. Everyone may experience myriad emotions at any time, of course, but having conversations around the Circle of Influence can do wonders for our energy, mood, and sense of personal agency.

8. Ask “How can I/we…” questions. This type of open-ended questioning increases your likelihood of generating solutions rather than lingering in less-helpful modes.

9. Check in with people: Friends, family, loved ones, those who might not have someone calling or texting them.

10. Embrace Mr. Rogers’ wisdom to “look for the helpers”: Care providers, researchers, responders, people supporting the homeless, scientists, teachers looking for different ways to support their students, therapists, grocery store workers… There are countless helpers!

11. Continue (or develop) a morning practice. How you begin the day will often set the tone for your day. Journaling, exercise, prayer, meditation, visualization, and many other options exist.

12. Donate to or otherwise support causes making a difference. I’ve also talked with many people purchasing gift cards from small businesses that must temporarily close – such a meaningful gesture.

13. Set boundaries: With social media, news sites, and internet, for example.

14. Practice personal hygiene and care: Wash your hands and honor the recommendations placed by the experts, for example.

15. Engage in proactive and positive self-talk. #3 and #8 can help with this.

16. Honor your spiritual practices. Prayer, meditation, and/or other actions that connect you to your faith.

17. Innovate/Find new ways of doing things. How can you adapt your gym workout to your current surroundings, for example? Or how could you continue to support your team even if you’re not in the office together?

18. Be a role model/voice of calm for others. As written in First Things First, “We may not be the leader, but we are a leader.” Lead with compassion, kindness, optimism, and/or whatever rises to the surface for you. Somebody is paying attention (probably many somebodies).

19. Be kind. Trust that everyone is doing the best they can, even if their methods don’t match yours.

20. Be a conscious consumer, in all ways: Information, purchases, etc.

21. Consider – and invite more of – what calms you: Music, crafts, repetitive actions like sewing or cross-stitching, funny movies, e.g.

22. Feel your feelings, choose your mindset. Don’t judge yourself for however you feel. And employ your power to choose your mindset.

23. Look for positives, lessons, bright spots. Maybe you’re eating dinner as a family, or maybe you witnessed a beautiful act of kindness (there have been so many). Challenge yourself to seek out silver linings.

24. Create a schedule – or at least a framework – with family, roommates, coworkers who may now be working remotely, e.g.

25. Brainstorm ways to meaningfully use your time. Declutter your closet, play a game with your family member, organize your home office, learn a new skill, practice an instrument, read, bake, create, do something you’ve put off for ages.

26. Create your own list of possible actions! You can do this alone and/or with your family, team members, or others.

Moving Forward

Here’s how I picture this:

When faced with a challenge – whether it’s what we collectively are navigating as a world or something in your own work or life – instead of throwing your hands up in fear or frustration, open your hands up and invite solutions.

Ask yourself new questions. Challenge yourself to generate solutions, ideas, and possibilities. Focus on what you can influence, not on what you cannot.

Be gentle with yourself and others.

Empower yourself and others.

Let’s move through this together!

P.S. You can watch my video about this tool here.

What would you add to the above list? Share your additions below or on Instagram or Facebook.

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

The Lighthouse Within

Christi Hegstad March 9th, 2020

Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save;

they just stand there shining.

attrib. Anne Lamott

I often describe values like a lighthouse:

A lighthouse stands, strong and true, regardless of what’s going on outside. Storms may brew, waves may crash, the fog may become so dense we can hardly see … but the lighthouse stands on, fulfilling its purpose.

Such are our values.

This week, look inward.

Consider a decision you are facing.

Quiet your surroundings and your mind, then tune in. Ask yourself what matters most, what you know to be true, what your best and highest self would do.

Regardless of external noise, fears, others’ opinions, and uncertainty, our values stand strong and true, serving as a resource for us to always call upon. This week, reflect on yours to make your decisions.

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

Making Your Priorities Your Priority

Christi Hegstad March 2nd, 2020

Health. Career. Kids. Fitness. Personal growth. Friends. Extended family. Financial wellbeing…

The list of potential priorities could extend for miles.

Which ones matter most to you?

Maybe you have a difficult time deciding.

But maybe you’ve also learned that if everything is important, essentially nothing is important.

This week, make your priorities your priority.

Decide what your top priorities are at this time.

Then, pull out your weekly calendar and schedule time for them.

Honor that time as if you were paying someone $1,000 per hour for it.

Next weekend, review how it felt to schedule your priorities and honor them fully. I bet words like ‘fulfilling’ and ‘purposeful’ and ‘intentional’ will land at the forefront!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

5 Behind-The-Scenes Actions To Take With A New Goal

Christi Hegstad February 27th, 2020

You probably know some of the foundational steps to help you achieve a goal: Put it in writing. Create an action plan. Block time for it in your calendar.

Important basics, for sure. I probably would never achieve a goal if I didn’t take those steps!

But I do a few other things as well – things you might not read about in goal-setting literature or in the myriad ‘change your life’ articles floating around the interwebs. I’m sharing five of those non-ordinary actions with you today in hopes that they help you achieve your bold and meaningful goals this year, too!

1. Conduct a mindset refresh.

Once I commit to a goal, I infuse my mind with inspiration and insight on the topic.

Before going for a walk or hopping in the car, for example, I’ll download a few podcasts related to my goal (or just motivational in general). I choose books, visit blogs, read magazines, and search for informative and inspiring Facebookand Instagram accounts that support my goal as well.

One of my Guiding Principles this year involves ‘creation over consumption;’ I am selective in what I choose to consume to ensure it helps me with what I strive to create.

2. Design an environment for success.

If your goal is to finish your book, setting up a writing area with the necessary tools of your trade (and without the distractions!) will prove useful.

If your goal involves healthy eating, you’ll benefit from removing unhealthy options from your pantry or making the healthy ones visible and convenient.

When embarking on a new goal, do what you can to set yourself – and your environment – up for success from the get-go. (Quickly, though; don’t let this serve as procrastination.) Not only can this accelerate your success, it can demonstrate an increased level of commitment.

3. Secure goal-specific support.

I love to learn, but if someone can shorten my learning curve when it comes to achieving big goals, I am ALL for it!

My goal-specific support often comes in the form of hiring a coach. I’ve hired marketing coaches to help me reach marketing goals, business coaches for business goals, life coaches, writing coaches, mentor coaches … you get the idea.

In addition to trained coaches and other professionals, also consider mastermind programs, accountability partners, and supportive groups. We’re better together!

4. Create a visual anchor.

Find or make something that – and this next part is key – is outside of your own head that reminds you of your goal.

Craft a vision board. Print a photo. Locate a pendant, bookmark, or figurine that represents your goal. I recently had a client who created a mock bank statement showing a balance in the amount they wished to earn; another who designed a cover – complete with endorsements and reviews – for the book they were writing.

A visual reminder, displayed in a space you see frequently, can serve you both consciously and subconsciously.

5. Ask ‘why’ multiple times, in multiple ways.

If you’ve known me for a minute, you know I’m going to encourage you to filter your goal through your values and your Purpose Statement. 🙂

In addition, get crystal clear on your ‘why’ for this particular goal. Some questions I ask myself: Why does the goal matter to me? How will my life, and others’ lives, be transformed by the goal? What emotional connection do I feel with the goal?

Take the example of a client whose goal involved getting more streamlined and organized in his business: Why? To feel more on top of his days. Why? To run the business instead of the business running him. Why? To free up time and mental energy. Why? To become more involved and fully present with his family and friends. Why? Because when he thinks about his values, purpose, and legacy, his relationships top the list; when he imagines himself at his 90th birthday party, he wants his family and friends celebrating the meaningful and loving role he played in their lives.

Now that’s a powerful why.

What helps you make a strong start with a new goal? Which of these items resonates with you? Share your insights with me on Facebook or Instagram!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold goals with meaning and purpose! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

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Circle of Concern

Circle of Influence

A Timely Example

Moving Forward

1. Conduct a mindset refresh.

2. Design an environment for success.

3. Secure goal-specific support.

4. Create a visual anchor.

5. Ask ‘why’ multiple times, in multiple ways.