CHRISTI HEGSTAD PH.D.

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The 5 Best Books I’ve Read This Year!

Christi Hegstad December 12th, 2019

Author’s Note: I did not include the recommended reading for the 2020 ASPIRE Success Club – some of which are pictured above. These books are so outstanding, the group will be dedicating more time on them throughout the year!

It’s that time of year again! And can I just tell you, it makes my literacy-advocate-heart happy that so many of you ask about this list each year! 🙂 A quick shout-out to everyone who enrolled in the 2020 ASPIRE Success Club too, for a portion of each enrollment supports Everybody Wins! Iowa or Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – two excellent organizations building strong readers in our world.

Choosing my favorite books generally proves quite a challenging task. I typically read 60+ books each year (click here if you wonder how), so selecting just a few favorites often involves lists and crossing out and changing my mind and weighing positives and drawbacks and circling back and…

(Oh, have I mentioned I am a bit of a booknerd? :-))

Much to my surprise, however, my favorites this year easily rose to the surface!

The 5 Best Books I've Read This Year!

Before we jump in, keep in mind these are books I’ve read this year (not necessarily published this year), and I haven’t included our 2020 ASPIRE Success Club picks which are outstanding (see my intro above). Also, these are my nonfiction favorites; you can find my fiction picks on Instagram in the near future.

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb

While I am often moved by books, it’s rather rare to find one that makes me laugh out loud repeatedly, cry unabashedly, and connect me to humanity in ways I never expected. Gottlieb’s creation did that for me. She masterfully writes from her perspective both as a therapist as well as from being in therapy herself, and her stories remind us how we are all navigating challenges – many times that others know nothing about. Beautiful, insightful, and thoroughly engaging.

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Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

I have sung Cal Newport’s praises all over the internet for years, though he will probably never know since he spends little to no time on social media! In Digital Minimalism he explains why, and offers so many insights and practical tips for taming screen usage in our own lives. I especially liked his emphasis on first determining your values, then using (or not using) platforms in ways that support those values. Much like Deep Work a few years ago, this book changed the way I think as well as many of my behaviors.

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Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller

If you need to clearly articulate a message – whether in business, marketing, or even when telling people what you do for a living – I cannot recommend Miller’s book highly enough. He eloquently describes the power and typical format of a strong story, offers tips for cutting out the excess, and gives numerous examples to demonstrate his points. I have since listened to his podcast by the same name, and his body of work has truly prompted great change in my business and communication!

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Becoming by Michelle Obama

I love memoirs, and I learned so much from this one – especially on topics I wasn’t expecting! Obama writes candidly about her many educational and professional pursuits, experimenting with ways to create work / life balance, navigating life and parenthood in the public eye, health challenges, relationship lessons, family dynamics, and so much more. Though many of her experiences differ from my own, I found her story incredibly relatable and highly inspiring.

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Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Some of you may have first met me from attending my Life Of No Regrets (LONR) events over a decade ago. When I came across Designing Your Lifeearlier this year, it felt quite reminiscent of LONR – but from a systems perspective from two leaders in the Stanford Design Program. “Designers don’t think their way forward,” they write, “they build their way forward.” An excellent resource for uncovering meaningful work, reframing experiences, taking action, learning from failure, and designing a life you love.

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What excellent book have you read lately? Let me know 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, compelling goals that matter! Contact us today for coaching, speaking, and Mastermind opportunities, or click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community.

Conducting Your Personal Inventory

Christi Hegstad December 8th, 2019
“Realize that the good in your life may not appear in the ways you think it will.”
Janet Bray Attwood + Chris Atwood

Let’s face it: Sometimes you reach this point in the year and realize you’re not where you thought you’d be.

Do you get down about it?

Or do you learn from it?

I hope the latter. And also, that you acknowledge wins, successes, and growth you’ve experienced in areas you weren’t even expecting!

This week, conduct a personal inventory of 2019.

In our free bonus event with the 2020 ASPIRE Success Club last week, I shared 10 things I do every year to start the new year clear and purposeful. The first one: Conduct a personal inventory.

Grab a journal or notebook and a favorite pen, head somewhere new, and ask yourself a few questions:

* What’s gone well? What moments make me smile?

* What lessons have I learned this year?

* What helpful habits have I developed?

* What fears and/or challenges have I faced?

* Who (people, causes, organizations) have I helped?

* How have I grown – personally and/or professionally?

As you prepare your goals for 2020, I recommend ending them with this phrase: This or something better. You just never know what delights and unexpected joys might be around the bend!

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

Small Steps vs. No Steps

Christi Hegstad December 1st, 2019

“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.

Tiptoe if you must, but take the step.”

Attrib. Naeem Callaway

We’ve begun the final month of the year!

In what direction are you feeling called?

To stronger leadership skills? Greater sense of purpose? Clarity? Confidence? Improved mindset?

This week, choose your direction – then take a step.

Whatever direction you choose, your next step might include:

* Blocking time for it in your calendar

* Crafting an easy-to-follow plan

* Hiring a coach or other professional support

* Doing something instead of thinking about doing something

* Deciding to be committed – not just ‘interested’

Your step doesn’t need to be huge – but make it definite. Feel free to borrow one of my favorite Guiding Principles: Decide And Take Action!

 

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

ASPIRE Success Club: 5 FAQs

Christi Hegstad November 26th, 2019

Considering joining the 2020 ASPIRE Success Club but have questions? Many answers can be found on the ASPIRE website, Facebook (videos and posts), and Instagram – but they might prompt new questions, too! Below are 5 commonly-asked questions and answers to help as you decide your personal and professional growth plans for the year.

1. I am already involved in networking groups. How is ASPIRE different?

ASPIRE is not a networking group, but rather a year-long program focused on personal and professional development; we are here to help you grow, flourish, and live / work to your highest potential. In ASPIRE you can expect to discuss topics of importance with other smart women, participate in trainings to further your growth, develop solutions to challenges you face, and learn from rich resources and tools designed by a multi-certified coach dedicated who is passionate about your development.

As a result of all this, however, members get to know, like, and trust you! Over 94% of our members consistently report business growth / career advancement as a result of their membership.

2. I am currently in a time of transition. Will ASPIRE still apply to me?

Many (if not most!) of our members are in or approaching a transition of some sort, whether between careers, kids getting older and/or leaving home, nearing a milestone birthday, experiencing a change in relationship, entering retirement … the list goes on. In many ways, simply envisioning ‘what could be’ (which we do early on in the year) and then moving toward that is a form of transition, too.

ASPIRE is designed to help you find clarity, build community, and experience coaching to support your forward movement – whether it’s a time of change or of building and enhancing more of what’s already working for you.

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3. Do you enroll new members throughout the year?

Our enrollment period for the entire year occurs in November of the previous year.

We have experimented a few times with midyear enrollment but find that due to the ongoing nature of the curriculum which builds on itself each quarter, the importance of relationships established over time, and the trust formed within our membership, having this one-time enrollment period serves our members best.

4. When do you meet?

We typically meet the second full week of each month, with a few exceptions. During that week, you can choose from 4-6 (and sometimes more!) available meeting times, from early morning to lunch hour to mid-afternoon. We have designed the program to be accessible to just about any schedule!

Our quarterly large group events and service opportunities often take place in the evenings. You will receive plenty of advance notice on those opportunities (most are included in your Welcome Packet that you receive in early December).

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5. I am not really a fan of goals. Is setting a Bold Goal a requirement of ASPIRE membership?

Everything is optional. 🙂 We go about goal-setting in a very different way than you are probably used to, which may just change your thoughts around goals! As a member you have the opportunity to attend a full Bold Goal training toward the start of the year to learn the details.

And if not, you can choose to set a Bold Intention instead, focusing on a life area or a mindset that you wish to enhance. Visit our Facebook page and look at the Member Highlights for Stephanie Majeran and Brenda Lee Nelson as two great examples of this.

Feel free to contact us with additional questions! And be sure to enroll by November 30!

ASPIRE Happiness Hour Q2

Enrollment to the ASPIRE Success Club occurs once a year – and it’s happening now! Visit the ASPIRE website for details and to join. 

 

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

Creating Space For Both Wins AND Challenges

Christi Hegstad November 25th, 2019

ASPIRE ENROLLMENT CLOSES SATURDAY. CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

Dr. Megan Ries entered the chiropractic field to make a difference in others’ lives. “A person’s health impacts what they are able to do each and every day,” Megan shared recently. “How they’re able to care for kids, interact with friends and coworkers, and even achieve the goals they’re moving towards.” Having significantly benefited from chiropractic in her own health journey, Megan has embraced the field wholeheartedly.

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After opening Keystone Chiropractic in 2016, Megan quickly discovered the need to market the business, build relationships, and continue her own development – which is partly what led her to the ASPIRE Success Club this year. “Small business ownership can sometimes be isolating, even with being involved in other traditional networking,” she offered. “ASPIRE is much different. In traditional networking, it’s easy to stay on a surface level, pretending everything is great even when it may not be. In ASPIRE, however, I hear others’ challenges and how they’re working to overcome them, and the environment allows me to feel comfortable sharing my challenges and struggles as well.”

We have all benefited from Megan’s thoughtful perspectives, personal examples, and even the tips and apps she has shared in our ASPIRE private discussion forum! Her desire to help others be their best is as clear in ASPIRE as it is in her business.

Come join Megan and other inspirational women in the 2020 ASPIRE Success Club! Enrollment ENDS THIS WEEK so join today at https://christihegstad.com/products/aspire-success-club/

One final note from Megan, whom you can also learn more about at KeystoneChiroDSM.com: “Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone in ASPIRE. Everyone is incredibly friendly, and the monthly meetings help keep you focused and motivated during the year after the freshness of the New Year wears off. Give it a go!”

Enrollment to the ASPIRE Success Club occurs once a year – and it’s happening now! Visit the ASPIRE website for details and to join. 

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

Saying Yes + Following Through

Christi Hegstad November 24th, 2019

ASPIRE ENROLLMENT CLOSES SATURDAY. CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

“I love being involved, learning, and trying new things,” Brenda Nelson shared with me at a Starbucks in Minneapolis earlier this month. “But I can actually feel in my body if there’s something I’m *truly* meant to say YES to.”

Brenda, a long-time and long-distance ASPIRE Success Club member, is a brilliant example of someone who not only has beautiful dreams and ideas but actually sees them through to completion. Her YESes and Bold Goals over the years have included earning her personal trainer certification, becoming a runner & coaching Girls On The Run and Moms On The Run, becoming a certified life coach, speaking in front of audiences, and serving as a crisis counselor with the crisis text line, among others.

Brenda has intentionally *not* set a Bold Goal some years as well, choosing instead to focus on becoming more mindful and in the present moment, for example, or on embracing more adventure in her life.

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Her smile brightens our videoconference ASPIRE meetings each month (she dials in from Minnesota) and she never fails to enlighten and inspire us with her ideas, perspectives, experiences, and latest learnings!

“Through ASPIRE I have achieved countless Bold Goals, established lifelong friendships, and connected with a long-term accountability partner,” Brenda said. “I look forward to the monthly meetings, where I always come away with inspiration and momentum to continue striving to be my best self. My life wouldn’t be the same without ASPIRE!”

Learn more about Brenda’s work at BrendaLeeNelson.com. And learn directly from her, and the other inspiring women who make up the ASPIRE Success Club, by joining us at https://christihegstad.com/products/aspire-success-club/ . Enrollment closes THIS WEEK – enroll today!

Enrollment to the ASPIRE Success Club occurs once a year – and it’s happening now! Visit the ASPIRE website for details and to join. 

 

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

Are You Shrinking Back Or Growing Forward?

Christi Hegstad November 24th, 2019
ASPIRE ENROLLMENT CLOSES SATURDAY. 
CLICK HERE TODAY TO JOIN!
 
How are you ‘shrinking back’?
Maybe you have a bold idea but dismiss it because you don’t know where to start.
Perhaps you’re giving up on a 2019 goal because “it’s too late” or “everyone is already checked out for the holidays.”
You might be comparing yourself to someone else, undervaluing your skill set, or letting fear dictate your decisions.
This week, take an action toward your future.
Stop getting lost in details, procrastinating, or letting thoughts of ‘what if’ rule the day.
Instead, make one phone call. Take one step.
Reach out to people, like those in the ASPIRE Success Club, who want to see you succeed. (If you’re not in ASPIRE, click here and join before Saturday.)
Savor this miracle of life. Live up to your absolute fullest potential. Move forward with strength, positivity, and a healthy dose of grace.
No more shrinking back – you are too important!

 

Enrollment to the ASPIRE Success Club occurs once a year – and it’s happening now! Visit the ASPIRE website for details and to join. 

 

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

Assume You Can – And Figure The Rest Out Later

Christi Hegstad November 23rd, 2019

“I just don’t let myself think, ‘That will never work.’ Instead, I think, ‘I’m going to try it!’ Not knowing the ‘how’ right away does not hold me back.”

These words from longtime ASPIRE member Mary Knight of San Diego, CA sum up her approach to Bold Goals – and to life – beautifully. And this mindset has served her well! Over the years, she has traveled the world extensively, owned a natural pet food store, published her travel/food writing + photography, served meaningful nonprofits, imported and sold Italian olive oil through her online business, lectured across Australia, and is currently preparing to teach ESL courses. “I make time and save money to do the things that feed my soul,” she told me recently.

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When I asked what keeps her coming back to ASPIRE each year – and often bringing others along! – two reasons rose to the surface:

1. Personal growth. “The discussions with other women are so enlightening and always give me new perspectives. ASPIRE really helps me step out of my comfort zone.”

2. Structure. “I am a free spirit with lots of ideas. ASPIRE offers the accountability, tools, and structure to help me actually turn those dreams into plans that I can achieve!”

Mary radiates enthusiasm and joy via the internet in our videoconference meetings, and this summer I had the pleasure of experiencing this in-person too when we met for coffee in her hometown of San Diego!

You can learn more about Mary at SpoonAndSuitcase.com. And if you’d like to turn *your* dreams into plans like Mary, join us in the 2020 ASPIRE Success Club! Enroll at https://christihegstad.com/products/aspire-success-club/ TODAY – enrollment closes one week from today!

Enrollment to the ASPIRE Success Club occurs once a year – and it’s happening now! Visit the ASPIRE website for details and to join. 

 

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

 

Bringing Peace Into Work, Business Ownership, and Life

Christi Hegstad November 23rd, 2019

Stephanie Majeran has achieved a number of goals throughout her life: degrees, marathons, business ownership, CPA licensure, and beyond. When she attended our ASPIRE Bold Goal training at the start of the year, however, Stephanie was ready for a change.

“I had done so much goal-setting and checked so many boxes already,” she shared. “Something had been building up in me for a while, and I knew I wanted to do things differently.”

So instead of a specific, measurable Bold Goal, Stephanie opted for our alternative route of a Bold Intention. She declared 2019 her year of PEACE.

Stephanie Majeran Christi Hegstad 1119 ASPIRE

In our monthly meetings and our ASPIRE discussion forum, Stephanie has shared her experiments and experiences along the way. Her peace-cultivating practices have included consciously slowing down, making intentional mindset shifts, gaining greater self-acceptance, saying ‘no’ more, engaging in yoga and meditation, reading daily devotionals, and tracking her peaceful habits.

She has taken an eagle-eye view of her business to discern how to invite more peace into her professional life.

She even embarked on a personal retreat to Florida for a few days after tax season – not necessarily an easy feat for a business owner, active community member, wife, and mom of a preschooler – but she knew she would benefit from the clarity, spaciousness, and insights it would provide, so she made it happen.

Stephanie credits the accountability of our monthly ASPIRE meetings and the diverse, supportive women in the group for much of her peaceful growth this year, and is already enrolled for 2020. “I honestly feel like a fog has lifted,” she told me recently, “like a weight has been removed from my shoulders.”

Come join Stephanie and other inspiring women in the ASPIRE Success Club! Enrollment is open until Nov 30 at ChristiHegstad.com/products/aspire-success-club

What is one quality *you* would like to cultivate more of in your own work or life?

Enrollment to the ASPIRE Success Club occurs once a year – and it’s happening now! Visit the ASPIRE website for details and to join. 

 

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold, compelling goals that matter! 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 Vision A Reality

Christi Hegstad November 23rd, 2019

Sara Hanley and I met 20 years ago at a mom-and-baby class when our oldest daughters were just a few months old. Over the years, I have marveled at how beautifully Sara lives her life: an incredible mom to 5 kiddos, a marathoner and triathlete, a dedicated volunteer in her community, and a true (and very dear-to-my-heart) friend. And this just scratches the surface!

In 2019 Sara decided to join the ASPIRE Success Club and, just a few months in, made another important decision: To become a massage therapist! She lights up when talking about how her client experiences transform *her* just as much as she transforms their lives and healing.

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“I have gained so much from ASPIRE that I wouldn’t even know where to begin!” Sara recently shared. “Your prompt for us to look at our lives 5-10 years from now opened my eyes to what the future might hold, leading me to massage therapy – which I am loving!!! My Bold Goal got me reading more books, listening to podcasts, and truly helped me through a very stressful experience earlier this year – as well as made me feel comfortable enough to start asking for help instead of always trying to make it on my own. Thank you for following your dreams and continuing to work hard to help others do the same!”

You can book a massage with Sara through the Body Wisdom Massage School. And you can join us in the 2020 ASPIRE Success Club by visiting https://christihegstad.com/products/aspire-success-club/ and enrolling before Nov 30!

And an additional prompt for you, friends: What’s something you’d love to say about your work or life next year at this time? What’s one thing you could do TODAY to set that in motion?

Enrollment to the ASPIRE Success Club occurs once a year – and it’s happening now! Visit the ASPIRE website for details and to join. 

 

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is the Certified Executive + Personal Coach for difference-making achievers! Clarify your vision, free up time, and confidently reach bold, compelling goals that matter! 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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