Decide Your Legacy – Today and Every Day

Christi Hegstad September 15th, 2019

A few weeks ago, I shared with you the power in making a decision, and how prominently that message stood out at a conference I had just attended.

Of all the decisions we were encouraged to make at the event with regards to business, relationships, and such, I appreciated Kevin Brown’s the most:

“Decide what your life is about. Then wake up every morning and decide to live that out.”

This week, align your big picture and your small habits.

Decide what you stand for. Decide how you want to be remembered. Decide who and how you wish to be in this world.

Then every day, in large and small ways, live that out.

Every. Single. Day.

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.

My Detailed, Step-By-Step MORNING PRACTICE (+ Ideas For Yours!)

Christi Hegstad September 12th, 2019

While speaking about my entrepreneurial journey recently, a fairly new business owner asked, “If I could do just one, super-practical thing in the next 24 hours to boost my success, what would you recommend?”

Several ideas popped into my mind, but the simple, straightforward one that rose to the surface?

Start a morning practice.

I mentioned how this single action, which I essentially started because I was tired of my own morning crabbiness, has become one of the longest-running and most-valuable habits I have ever established.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that nearly every success I’ve experienced in my life – personal, professional, relational, or any other form – has taken root in my morning practice. This daily routine has provided the space for ideas to arise, inspiration to appear, action plans to come out of my head and onto paper, and difficult conversations to be pondered before taking place in real life.

It has also allowed the opportunity to start the day with intention, connect with my intuition and faith, generate solutions to problems that seemed unfixable just the night before, and decide – every day – who and how I want to be in the world for the next 24 hours.

My morning practice has even been where my creativity has flourished, periods of grief have flowed, and important life decisions have been made.

I have definitely had other key contributors to my personal and business growth. But the glimmer almost always first appears during the opening hour of my day.

In the past few weeks, I’ve had numerous requests to share the specifics – like, the detailed details – around how I spend this hour. Today’s blog, perhaps the longest I’ve ever written, is my response to those requests!

Why Implement A Morning Practice?

A quick internet search will yield dozens of reasons for starting a morning practice, but I would turn the question back to you:

Why do you want to implement a morning practice?

How do you believe you will benefit?

While the research and anecdotal evidence are important, your personal reasons will motivate you into action more than anything else. Then, experiencing those benefits will help you sustain your practice.

For me, the benefits have been plentiful and longstanding, including:

* Starting the day on my own terms, choosing my mood and attitude before anything external can influence

* Putting first things first, and feeling a sense of fulfillment even if the rest of the day doesn’t go as planned

* Greater patience

* Better, and longer lasting, clarity and productivity

* Increased self-confidence

* Stronger sense of personal agency

* Enhanced purpose and intention

* Higher motivation, feeling ready to kickstart the day

* Greater self-awareness

* Peacefulness, even if the day becomes challenging

Think about what you hope to gain by starting your mornings on purpose. Not only will this support your motivation, it will help ensure you actually obtain the benefits you’re seeking.

My Detailed, Step-By-Step Morning Practice (Alllll the specifics!)

When I first started my morning practice, I had just opened my coaching business and had three kiddos under the age of five. On any given day, my practice at that stage of life might involve just ten minutes of quiet time before the day began, or might be done while snuggling with a baby, or might even take place at a different time throughout the day. I decided early to focus on being intentional rather than perfect.

With that in mind, what follows is my specific current practice – certainly not the be-all and end-all to powerful morning routines. Toward the end of the article, I will share ways you might adapt these ideas to suit your own personal needs. You do you!

Now, for the nitty-gritty details:

My morning practice actually begins the night before. I make sure my supplies (journal, pens, coffee mug, etc.) are in place. If I had to start the day looking for things, I don’t think I would hop out of bed very easily!

I also set my coffee maker to auto-brew, and I *love* walking into the kitchen to the scent of freshly-made coffee. If you prefer a French press or tea, however, you could incorporate your beverage-making process into your morning routine by making it an experience in mindfulness.

In addition, I set two alarms – one for 5:30am, one for 5:55am. I will explain more about this in a moment.

1) Wake up at 5:30am

This, not surprisingly, literally involves turning off the alarm and immediately getting out of bed. The key here is not hitting snooze.

I used to hit snooze. I used to rely on snooze.

What changed it for me was realizing that when I hit snooze, my first action of the day basically involved breaking a promise I made to myself the night before – which felt out of integrity. Missing the mark on my first goal of the day (to wake up when I said I would) also made me feel behind before I even got started. Therefore, eliminating snooze became highly important.

2) Drink 2 glasses of water

I have read that drinking water first thing in the morning helps detox and purify your body as well as assists in feeling more awake. The primary reason for me, I must admit, is that I’m not always the greatest at drinking enough water during the day. By starting off with two full glasses, I kickstart this healthy objective before my mind is awake enough to say, “Are you sure you don’t want _______ [insert nearly any other beverage here] instead?”

On a side note, last spring I found myself a really pretty goblet, and this makes my water-drinking much more delightful! 🙂

Approximate time: 5 minutes

3) Meditate

Consistent meditation is a fairly new practice for me and I love it. I use an app on my phone called Insight Timer; I have several guided meditations bookmarked, otherwise I will use the search function for a keyword like ‘clarity’ or ‘confidence’ or ‘peace,’ depending on what I feel I most need.

I typically stay awake during my meditation … but that second alarm I mentioned that rings at 5:55am? That’s just in case I drift off while meditating. My coffee maker is also set to brew at 5:45 so coffee awaits me when I finish my meditation. Clear mind + fresh coffee = bliss, if you ask me!

You can read more about my experience bringing meditation into my routine here.

Approximate time: 10-15 minutes

4) Journal

I then pour a cup of black coffee (Arco is my all-time favorite, though I enjoy a variety of brands) and settle in with my journal. I have been journaling since I was eight years old (so, a few years now 😉 ) and this makes up the bulk of my morning practice.

I start every journal entry with the date, time, and my location; I know some people who also record the weather or their mood/energy level, too. From there, it’s a stream of consciousness that might include ideas for upcoming events, things I’m concerned about, dreams I had the previous night, goings-on with family members, drafts of an article or course outline, thoughts around the day’s activities, progress on goals, ways to improve myself, problems I’m experiencing, where I’d like to go on vacation … nothing is off-limits.

If you’d like to try journaling but aren’t sure what to write, take a peek at these prompts for starters.

Approximate time: 30-40 minutes

5) Pray + offer gratitude

While my faith plays a part in all aspects of my life, how it typically shows up in my morning practice is via my journal. I will pray for people on my pages; I also end nearly every journal entry by writing my gratitude for family, love, health, meaningful work, the gift of another day – whatever comes to mind in that moment.

I include my Mom in that portion of my journaling as well. She shined such a light in this world, and she gave me my first journal all those years ago. It seems a natural and fitting way to stay connected with her.

Approximate time: Incorporated into journaling time

6) Read

I always have a book with me, usually a fiction and a nonfiction going at any given time. In the mornings, however, those books are pushed to the side in favor of a devotional or some type of inspirational text. Lately I’ve been reading Tony Dungy’s Uncommon Life Daily Challenge (my third time with this one); other times it might be a page-a-day type book (Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach has made a few rounds with me, too) or even a single passage or quote.

I read, then spend a moment pondering how the message might apply that day or what it means to me personally.

Approximate time: 5 minutes

7) Preview the day + set an intention

Before leaving my cozy seat, I will take a quick look at the upcoming day’s events and often choose an intention word. For example, if I have back-to-back meetings and appointments and events for many hours in a row, I may choose a word like “Energy” to remind me to pay attention to my energy; if I have some difficult conversations or challenges ahead, I might pick “Calm” or “Smile.” Sometimes I will record the word, but usually I just think it and then recall it periodically throughout the day.

I’ve been doing this last piece off and on for years, and I’m still surprised at how helpful choosing one word to represent the day can be!

Approximate time: 2-3 minutes

In all, my morning practice takes right around an hour. After this, I focus on greeting my family members and setting the rest of the day in motion. I have another, much shorter (5 minutes or so) practice that I engage upon first arriving to the office – let me know if you’d like to see a blog on that as well.

Before I share a few more thoughts, please note that while this is my typical routine, life periodically seems to have other plans and I adapt. Some days my routine may start later, some days earlier. Sometimes I have an early morning meeting, so my practice is significantly shortened. I alter as life requires but strive to be ‘flexibly consistent.’

Other Ideas To Incorporate

As I mentioned, my morning practice has evolved over the years, and I’m sure it will continue to do so. Other components you may wish to consider:

* Affirmations – writing, reading, saying aloud

* Exercise – running, walking, stretching, yoga

* Nutrition – healthy breakfast, snack, smoothie

* Scripting – writing out your ideal vision of the day ahead

* Breath of fresh air – stepping outside for a few deep breaths (even in an Iowa winter!)

* Greetings – writing and sending a card or note

The options, of course, are truly endless.

Helpful Hints + Habit-Building Tips

The benefits from my morning practice started appearing fairly quickly and have motivated me to continue for around 15 years now. While I will sometimes intentionally step away from my practice (ie, on vacation), I definitely feel a bit ‘off’ or antsy on the rare days that I accidentally miss. A few tips that I have found instrumental:

– Keep it screen-free.

When you begin your day checking email or scrolling social media, you are essentially allowing other people – perhaps people you don’t even know – to impact your mood, fill your mind, and determine your priorities before you’ve had a chance to do this for yourself. Not cool.

Keep your phone off or, even better, in another room. I use mine to access guided meditations on Insight Timer, but this wasn’t until years into a screen-free morning practice. If I felt the temptation to hop on social media or surf the web was too hard to resist, I would leave my phone elsewhere and practice meditation in a different way.

– Start small.

I really want to reiterate this point: Your morning practice does not have to follow someone else’s actions or timeline. Can’t realistically manage an hour in the morning without sacrificing too much sleep? Start with 5-10 minutes, and fill those moments with something truly enjoyable that makes you want to get out of bed. One of my clients pours a cup of coffee to savor while walking through her garden, a morning routine that takes less than 10 minutes but starts her day with purpose and positivity.

And if you don’t even have 5-10 minutes? Shorten it even more. Perhaps get in the habit of turning off your alarm and thinking of 3 things for which you are grateful before you get out of bed. Put a sticky note of affirmations on your mirror and read them every morning while you brush your teeth. Mentally send a bit of love and goodwill out into the world before the busy-ness of the day sets in.

Don’t worry about making it a fancy or perfect experience – just a meaningful one.

Designing YOUR Morning Practice

OK, friends! If you’ve stuck with me this long, you are definitely ready for your own morning practice. What will it be?

To get started, pull out a notebook or journal and ask yourself a few questions:

– Why do I want to implement a morning practice? How do I feel it will benefit me and/or those around me?

– What are some ways I might like to spend this time? List as many as you’d like.

– Of those ideas, which one or two do I want to start with?

– How long would I like my morning practice to be? Be realistic here; you can always add time as you develop the habit.

– What time will I begin my morning practice? Building a consistent routine is helpful, however your unique situation may require flexibility if you work varying shifts, have little ones to care for, etc. Answer this question only if it serves you.

– What might get in the way of my morning practice? How will I address those potential obstacles? Get specific. If “Hitting snooze” is a potential obstacle, put your alarm at the other side of the room, or commit to calling an accountability partner who is also developing a morning practice, or have your coffee maker’s auto-brew function set to a certain time. (Because you will want to drink that coffee when it’s fresh, right?!) 🙂

Decide to engage in your morning routine for the next week, then re-evaluate. What have you noticed? What’s working well, and what’s not? Tweak it and commit to another week.

Your Next Inspired Action

“Take excellent care of the front end of your day,” writes Robin Sharma, “and the rest of your day will pretty much take care of itself.”

I have definitely discovered that when I start my day with intention, the rest of the day is far more likely to follow suit. And on the days that feel a bit more ‘downhill,’ I seem better able to return to that place of purpose and positivity that I experienced in the morning. It’s like exercise: Once you’ve gotten used to running 3 miles a day and then you miss a couple days, it’s much easier to pick up where you left off than if you haven’t been running since 2009.

As a coach, I want to make sure you’re not just reading but also taking action to achieve your goals and live in full color. Please post below, on Instagram, or on Facebook and let me know what your next inspired action is! And if you’d like support in designing or foll0wing through on your morning routine, contact me to talk about coaching or ASPIRE Success Club possibilities!

Here’s to your positive, purposeful mornings!

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.

5 Takeaways From The 2019 Mastermind Summit

Christi Hegstad September 10th, 2019

Last month, I joined thousands of others at the 2019 Mastermind Summit in San Diego, put on by Buffini & Company. After hearing about the event for years from a few of my clients, I was excited to see that the dates would work in my calendar this summer.

Brian Buffini is well known in the real estate world and has been for over two decades. Since I am an executive and personal coach, I wasn’t certain when I first learned of the event if the content would apply to my work and life. But after learning more about the company, which holds core values like “Live what we teach” and “Practice servant leadership,” I felt confident it would resonate. It seems the company has delved deep into personal and professional development over the years.

I am now 100% certain that the content applies!

The event was fantastic, and the timing could not have been better: With numerous transitions occurring both personally and professionally, I arrived at the Summit with an open mind and heart. I left rejuvenated, inspired, and with pages of notes, ideas, and tips. Below are five of my big takeaways that may speak to you, as well as a coaching question for each that you can ask yourself.

1. DECIDE to succeed.

The ‘wait and wish’ approach to achieving a goal, building a thriving relationship, or creating a successful business does not typically lead to outstanding results. Decide to achieve. Decide to succeed.

Making the decision – and removing ‘maybe’ and ‘sort of’ and ‘I’ll try but…’ – makes a powerful difference!

Where do you need to decide to succeed rather than waiting and/or wishing?

2. FOCUS.

I took this in two forms: First, focus on what matters. Pay attention to the details but don’t get lost in them, even though they can be easy, satisfying, and fun to check off.

Second, focus on the task at hand. “Opportunity knocks,” Buffini stated, “but distraction leans on the doorbell.”

What helps you focus in this distraction-filled world?

3. Give your BEST.

“Never perform any task less than your best,” Buffini suggested. At first blush, this might sound exhausting. But it might also serve as an important reminder to be selective about what actually goes on your to-do list, and to strive for excellence in those things deemed worthy.

As the saying goes, how we do anything is how we do everything!

How can you give your best – even in areas no one else might see or care about?

Gathering my conference takeaways with a delicious coffee at Caffe Italia! — *Reflecting on my conference takeaways with a delicious coffee in Little Italy, San Diego!*

4. Embrace your HEALTHY AMBITION.

Many of my clients, who are typically achievers, feel uncertain about their drive and desire to succeed. ‘Can’t I just be satisfied with the way things are?’ they sometimes ask themselves or, perhaps more often, are asked by those around them who don’t share the same level of ambition.

As an achiever myself, I can relate. I appreciated Buffini’s reminder that ambition, when pursued in service and “with an open hand,” is a good thing.

What aspect of your personality could you leverage to improve lives (including your own)?

5. ACT.

Thinking, dreaming, and planning are important – but only take us so far. We can’t change the world without putting those ideas into action – even if it means failing forward again and again!

“Be an action taker,” Buffini reminded us, “not just someone with good intentions.”

Where do you need to start putting all those plans and ideas into action?

My Clarity Kickstart newsletter later this month will share another impactful statement from the event that I wrote, underlined, highlighted and starred, and have had on my mind ever since. (Click here or email here if you are not yet subscribed!)

In the meantime, let me reiterate the value in attending conferences, hiring coaches, and investing in your growth. The benefits are countless and have a ripple effect that extends far and wide! Thank you to Buffini & Company for such a powerful, purposeful event!

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 Willing To Do What Most Others Are Not?

Christi Hegstad September 8th, 2019

What bold, compelling goal are you moving toward?

Is it requiring more of you than you initially thought?

Is there something different, bold, or out of the ordinary that would move you even closer?

And (last question – but an important one): How willing are you to do that ‘something extra’?

This week, do the extraordinary.

Make more calls than usual.

Invite more people than usual.

Post more helpful content than usual.

Write more pages than usual.

Engage with more colleagues than usual.

Don’t let the challenge hold you back. Instead, adjust – and ideally up-level – your actions to start gaining more momentum. As the saying goes, be stubborn about your goals but flexible about your methods!

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.

How Do You Set The Tone For Your Day?

Christi Hegstad September 6th, 2019

“You can allow yourself to become paralyzed by fear of rejection, or you can go out there and astonish the world. But you don’t get to do both.” – Robin Sharma

Robin Sharma’s latest book, The 5am Club, surprised me.

Although I have a solid and longstanding morning practice in place (which I’ve written about many times, including here), I am somewhat obsessed with learning how others start their days with intention.

While I expected to gain new morning-focused ideas or inspiration with this book, what I wasn’t expecting – and honestly, what I gained more of – were the great insights into leadership, creative clarity, and mastery. I started with a library copy of The 5am Club and ended up purchasing the book because there were so many lines I wanted to highlight!

I typically wake up at 5:30am, but for the past two weeks as I’ve been reading the book, I’ve pushed my wakeup time to 5am. The difference this has produced in my days has also surprised me! I will share more in my upcoming newsletter (email me if you’d like to receive this!).

One other surprise: this book is written as a leadership parable, a style I have never really embraced (give me straight nonfiction or a sweeping novel, but don’t try blending the two, I guess! ?). Even still, it captured my interest all the way through.

Sharma offers great thoughts about living on purpose and making a positive difference in the lives of others, and I loved the reminder to avoid making assumptions, too. We never know what’s going on behind the scenes in someone’s life.

Are you an early riser? What helps you start your day off with positivity and purpose? Share your thoughts 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, 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.

Naming Your Guiding Principles

Christi Hegstad September 4th, 2019

Do you have a set of Guiding Principles for your life?

Essentially, your Guiding Principles are your personal ‘rules to live by’ – operating procedures to keep front and center as you work, live, and engage with others.

I currently have a set of eight brief principles that I keep on a document with my vision statement, purpose statement, values, and Bold Goals. I review this document each morning for a daily reminder of who/how I want to be in the world.

Having a succinct list of life guidelines is useful in so many ways. One of mine, for example, is “Decide And Take Action.” This came to me years ago after exhausting myself with indecision too many times! Since then, whenever I catch myself suffering from ‘analysis paralysis’ or avoiding a decision, I remember my principle. It reminds me to make a decision, then immediately take an action in favor of that decision (reducing any chance of ‘buyer’s remorse).

Consider your own personal list of Guiding Principles. I encourage my coaching clients to keep their lists between 5-10 principles, prioritizing those that really mean the most at this time. Re-evaluate your list once or twice a year and revise as necessary.

What’s a brief, easily-remembered, one-liner that would go on your list of Guiding Principles? Share one of yours below!

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.

How Does Your Goal Help Others?

Christi Hegstad September 1st, 2019

When I’m helping a coaching client set a goal, I always ask a few questions about the purpose behind it:

Why is the goal important to you?

How will your work or life be different once the goal is achieved?

Who else might be positively impacted by this goal?

As I’ve said a million times, reconnecting with your purpose – your why – is the greatest motivator I know. And if you’re like most of my coaching clients, you want to know that your goal not only benefits you, but others as well.

This week, connect your goal to something greater than yourself.

For example, a current client set a goal around strengthening his leadership skills.

Not only does this benefit him in terms of streamlining his workdays and feeling more confident, it helps:

His employees. They become better leaders, both through the responsibilities he delegates to them and the leadership he models for them.

His organization. As his department improves, so does the company culture and bottom line.

His customers. As he and his employees become stronger leaders, they are able to assess and care for client needs more quickly and effectively.

His family. His wife and children will be glad to see him less stressed, working fewer hours, and feeling better about himself.

And the list continues on.

How will achieving your goal benefit others? Let me know – and more importantly, remind yourself. You’ll get an instant motivation boost!

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.

What Are Your Priorities This Season?

Christi Hegstad August 30th, 2019

“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, unapologetically – to say no to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside.” – Stephen Covey

How true is this?!

Our core values tend to stay fairly constant over time, but our priorities change. As we approach a new month and season, what do you consider your top priorities? What is worth putting on your to-do list and truly deserving of your attention? What would you say ‘Absolutely YES!’ to versus ‘Hmmm…maybe’ or ‘Heck no!’?

I have spent some time evaluating this for myself over the past few weeks, and I have come up with my short list of top priorities. They’re a little different than they were 3 months ago, and *quite* different from a year ago.

This check-in with myself is so helpful, and I encourage you to consider it, too.

Decide what’s worth your ‘absolute yes’ for this season in your life. Let go of comparison and FOMO and all that other stuff, knowing that you are honoring a deeper, bigger YES. Your future self will thank you!

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is an executive and personal coach helping professionals achieve bold, inspiring goals enabling them to make a positive, purposeful difference! Click here and fill in the blue box to join our email community or contact us to discuss coaching possibilities!

(Re)Start and Finish Strong!

Christi Hegstad August 27th, 2019

Over the weekend I listened to Ryan Hall, holder of multiple distance running records, being interviewed on the EntreLeadership podcast. His perspective on topics like passion, resilience, and pursuing your life’s work enthralled me.

Having already discussed the importance of vision and goals, my ears perked up even more when asked how he prepares his mindset for a critical 26-mile race.

Hall didn’t skip a beat: “Focus on the mile you’re in.”

He described how if he stood at the starting line anticipating how painful or exhausting mile 23 would be, he’d never begin; instead, he prepares and trains to the extent possible, then focuses on the current mile – the current step – to move forward.

Whether you’re working toward a 4-minute mile, a particular revenue, a leadership metric, or some other compelling goal, consider Hall’s advice!

Time For A Refresh!

As you revisit your 2019 goals, you may find you’re not quite where you expected to be – but that’s no reason to give up. We still have plenty of time left in the year!

But as you know, it will go by fast. Now is the time to act.

Here are 5 tips to help you (re)start, and ultimately finish, the year strong!

1. Start fresh.

Rather than going back over the action plan you created eons ago, map out a new one. (You can always compare it to the old one later.) Consider the next 18 weeks – aka, the remainder of 2019 – its own mini-year, and start from the current moment. As Hall advised, focus on the mile you’re in!

Be sure to check out my When Your Goals Take A Detour article if you need some help with this.

2. Gain small, quick wins.

Spark your motivation by completing a few quick-and-easy tasks right away. You’ll build momentum and start to develop a habit of completion, which can serve you well moving forward.

Watch that this doesn’t become a long-term solution, however. At some point, you’ve got to do the big things, too! Just maybe not right off the bat.

3. Leverage your personality.

I used to lament my ‘all or nothing’ personality and how it could prompt me to be completely, 100%, all-in over something … or else avoid it altogether. Nowadays I embrace this quirk: If I am feeling energized about a set of actions for my top-priority goals, I ride the wave – and instead of criticizing myself if it’s short-lived, I challenge myself to adapt or tweak it until I’m energized again.

This mindset shift (not to mention the self-compassion) has worked wonders! What tendencies hold you back that you could leverage instead?

4. Build accountability into your plan.

I largely credit accountability for any of the significant goals I’ve reached. Among my favorite methods: working with my coach, checking in with my mastermind group, and tracking daily actions in my bullet journal. Some of my clients serve as additional accountability partners for each other – people working on similar goals with whom they text daily or weekly with updates.

Choose what works for you! Just know you don’t have to go it alone.

5. Reconnect with your why. Every day.

The first thing I do each day when I arrive to the office is what I call a 5-Point Scan: I flip to my one-page document that houses my Vision, Purpose Statement, Guiding Principles, Values, and Bold Goals. This action takes me less than a minute but reminds me every single day why I do the work I am about to do.

Reconnecting with your why – your purpose – is still the #1 motivator I know.

Whatever bold and inspired goal you’re aiming for this year, restart it now. Don’t worry about what you haven’t done yet or how much you have left to do. Instead, prepare to the extent possible, then focus on the mile you’re in.

Let’s run this race with positivity and purpose – and finish strong!

Need help clarifying your action plan – and maybe a motivation boost, too? A one-time Kickstart Coaching Session might be just the ticket! Contact me to discuss possibilities.

When Your Goals Take A Detour

Christi Hegstad August 25th, 2019

“I’ve taken a detour with my goals, but I am ready to get back on track!”

I am hearing this comment quite often lately. If you can relate, today’s post is for you!

Last week I encouraged you not to give up on your goals, even if you’re not quite where you expected to be at this point in the year. This week, I want you to let go of any of the ‘heaviness’ you may have attached to your detour.

No more “I never finish what I start” or “Why can’t I accomplish what I set out to do?” or “I used to be so on top of things.”

Nope, not allowed anymore.

This week, start fresh!

You know the feeling of opening up a brand new journal or notebook? That clean-slate sense of possibility and freshness?

That’s what we want to recreate with your goals.

Let go of any failed attempts, detours, or negative self-talk that hold you back. That was then; we’re focusing on this day forward.

And if they stubbornly linger, draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. Write any unhelpful statements your mind wants to repeat in the left column, then write the opposite for each in the right column.

Now, fold your page so that you only see the right column. Better yet, cut the left column off and toss it!

No time like the present. Now is your time. The beginning, as Shelley reminds us, is always today.

Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC is an executive coach helping leaders and professionals achieve Bold Goals with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action! Join our community: Click here and fill in the blue box or send us an email!

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Why Implement A Morning Practice?

My Detailed, Step-By-Step Morning Practice (Alllll the specifics!)

Other Ideas To Incorporate

Helpful Hints + Habit-Building Tips

Designing YOUR Morning Practice

Your Next Inspired Action

Time For A Refresh!

1. Start fresh.

2. Gain small, quick wins.

3. Leverage your personality.

4. Build accountability into your plan.

5. Reconnect with your why. Every day.