To Make Your Difference, Rekindle Your Fire

Christi Hegstad October 23rd, 2017

“Be brave

Be kind

Live gently but with fire.”

Karuna Ezara Parikh

Coaching Tip of the Week:

It’s difficult to succeed at work you feel ambivalent toward.

It’s easy to get bogged down in life’s to-do’s and feel your zest and passion dwindle.

It’s not always easy – but is important – to periodically step beyond the day-to-day and remind yourself of the big picture, as well as the purpose behind it.

This week, rekindle your fire.

Take stock of what excites and delights you in your work, leadership, and life.

Remind yourself how you make a difference.

Focus on your purpose.

Remember why you started.

Then bravely, kindly, gently, and with renewed passion and purpose, make your positive mark in the world!

Not sure how? Spark will teach you. Click here!

I’m A Huge Failure – And You Can Be, Too!

Christi Hegstad October 18th, 2017

I recall reading an interview about Sarah Blakely, creator of Spanx and the youngest self-made female billionaire in the U.S. Her rise to business success is both entertaining and inspiring, but what struck me most was a simple question her father would ask each evening at the dinner table:

What did you fail at today?

And he was disappointed if Sarah or her brother had no answer.

Why?

Because failure is a key component of success. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying anything new, you’re not stepping out of your comfort zone, you’re not periodically venturing on the lesser-known path.

I cannot give you a single example of a successful person who never failed. Oprah Winfrey – fired from her newscasting job and told she wasn’t made for TV. Michael Jordan – cut from his high school basketball team due to lack of talent. The creators of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series – endured 150 (!) rejections before one publisher was willing to take a chance.

To name just a few.

We all can likely think of examples, however, of people who let their fear of failure hold them back.

I fail constantly. When I think back to some of my early class offerings, I can’t help but remember all the times we had to cancel due to lack of interest. While speaking in front of groups I have tripped, misspoke, lost my train of thought. My printing shop called me a while back to tell me I had spelled my own name wrong on the cover of 200 workbooks they were printing for me.

I fail often, I fail big, but whenever I can, I try to fail forward.

The title of this article is actually inaccurate. Although I’ve failed thousands (millions? billions?) of times, I am not a failure.

Failure is an event, not a person, not a life path.

And for me, as long as I’ve honored my core values and purpose, staying true to who I am, failure is no longer the devastating deal it once was (a big statement for a recovering perfectionist!).

How about you? If fear of failure holds you back, I encourage you to take 3 actions:

1. Redefine failure. If you grow from the experience, can you even count it as failure? Create a definition that frees you from fear’s grips.

2. Surround yourself with inspiring examples of courage. If you haven’t already, enroll for Spark – you’ll be amazed at the courageous people you will encounter! Also consider your friend groups, online connections, reading material, and other sources.

3. Fail at something today. Go ahead, try something new and give yourself permission to do it poorly. Then, debrief: What did you learn? How can you use that experience going forward? How will you grow from – or help others grow from – it?

So come on, let’s be huge failures together! And if you’d like to hear more of my own personal experiences with failure, be sure to join me at Spark – Earlybird Rates expire this week!

Remember Why You Started: The Origins of Spark

Christi Hegstad October 16th, 2017

I’ll admit: At first glance this morning, my to-do list overwhelmed me.

Before I even headed to the office, I wondered how on earth I would make the headway I needed to make. So instead of listening to my head and diving in soon after I woke up, I decided to follow my intuition and start with a hike instead. As I shared on Instagram earlier today (along with a photo of a stunningly beautiful sky), if your to-do list seems miles long, one option is to take a hike that’s even longer! 🙂

I walked and walked and walked. When my legs started to grow weary, I thought about why I started – which was, namely, to clear my head. With each step, I gained a bit more clarity and a bit more belief that I could tackle all the tasks awaiting me back at the office.

Remembering my purpose for this hike fueled my energy, focus, and ability to complete it.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I made the decision that, after five beautiful and successful years, this would be the final Spark. Since writing that post, and in these final weeks of preparing for the event, I’ve found myself recalling why I started Spark in the first place. Just like reminding myself why I started this morning’s hike proved helpful, reflecting on why I began Spark has fueled my motivation to make this event the best ever.

I’ve jotted down several reasons, but I’ll share three of them with you here in case they help you move forward with a bold goal or large project:

The world – at least my corner of it – needed it.

Every day, I encounter people who are questioning: Who am I? What am I here to do? Do others feel like this? Who is my ‘tribe’? With so many talented people in the world, can I really make a difference? I’m just one person – what can I do? What if I can’t? What if I can?

I looooove coaching, but I know not everyone feels they can make the commitment (time, financial, and otherwise) to coaching at the time we speak about it. I also know the need for clarity, confidence, and sense of purpose is at an all-time high. So if I couldn’t help everyone through coaching, I wanted to at least help them ignite the spark so they could then fan the flames of purposeful growth in the best possible way.

Filling an existing need proved a HUGE reason for starting Spark, and has been a prominent reason why it’s continued for five years!

I wanted to prove to myself that I could actually do it.

I’m not sure if it’s nature, nurture, or a creation of my own doing, but I seem to always need something big to be working toward. If I don’t have a Big Dream or Bold Goal on which I’m progressing, I begin to feel quite antsy.

Hosting a big, full-day, public training and coaching event felt (and is) huge. So back in 2012, it filled my “Bold Goal” need.

But during and after the event, something amazing happened. I saw people making deep connections with their own purpose and with one another. I witnessed sharing on a level I had never experienced before. I watched as people laughed, cried, dreamed, believed, supported, and connected – the likes of which I’d never seen.

So my first Spark was, in part, to see if I could pull it off. But every Spark thereafter has taken on a life of its own and been fueled by the amazing people who attend.

My mom and her message.

I had thought about hosting an event like Spark for years. YEARS. But I always had a reason (read: excuse) to put it off.

Then, in January of 2012, my mom passed away rather unexpectedly. And in the months that followed, as I reflected on her life – right up to the moment of her death, in fact – I realized something amazing:

She knew what mattered most to her, and she honored it.

She recognized she couldn’t do everything, but she could do something, and she did A LOT. She changed lives around the world by sharing her talents, gifts, and exuberant personality.

She lived in full color.

Her sewing room alone was proof of that! As was so much more, which I’ve written about publicly a few times before.

As I navigated my grief and wondered how I could honor my mom, Spark kept coming to mind. From that point on, I knew what I needed to do. And when obstacles appeared (and trust me, with a live public event, there are too many obstacles to count!), I remembered why I started.

That remembering fuels me today.

This morning when I finished my hike, showered, and headed to the office, I had a newfound sense of energy. I knew I could handle what the day held for me. I remembered why I started, and it kept – and keeps – me going.

So if you find yourself faced with a challenge – whether it’s an unwieldy to-do list or a seemingly solution-less problem or a task that feels beyond your ability to handle – take a step back.

(Or maybe several steps forward, in the form of a walk.)

Breathe deeply a few times.

And remember why you started.

Let that fuel your next best action, and every action going forward, too.

Want to join me for the final Spark? Click here to enroll – Earlybird Rates end this week!

Harshest Critic Or Biggest Fan?

Christi Hegstad October 15th, 2017

“Instead of being your own harshest critic, make the decision to be your biggest fan.”

Cynthia Kersey

Coaching Tip of the Week:

I love teaching coaching skills to managers and leaders in organizations. In addition to learning the science, theory, and art behind a coaching approach, students get the opportunity to practice in a safe setting – a coaching lab, so to speak – then provide and hear feedback from the rest of the group.

Over the years, I’ve noticed a recurring theme – one that probably comes as no surprise to you: We tend to be our own harshest critics. Students can point out myriad flaws in their own coaching, but often have a more difficult time stating what they did well and where they totally rocked.

This week, cheer yourself on.

Take stock of your strengths and gifts, and acknowledge them. When someone compliments you, simply say “Thank you” – then zip it. Resist the urge to counteract or explain it away, and instead celebrate it.

I don’t mean this, of course, in an egotistical, “I am better than you” way – but if you’re anything like my clients and students, I don’t think you need to worry about that anyway.

One of the best ways I’ve found to become your own cheerleader in an authentic, all-encompassing way is to know your purpose. Just like someone with the cure to cancer would never withhold it because “I didn’t want to sound braggy,” when you are clear what you’re here to do and who you can best serve, you can proceed with confidence and grace – and make a great difference while you’re at it.

Win-win!

Uncover your purpose with us at Spark! Earlybird Rates end this week. Click here to join the experience.

What’s Your Intention For Today?

Christi Hegstad October 14th, 2017

What do you do upon awakening each morning?

If you tend to reach for your phone to check email or social media, I have an alternative suggestion. It may take as little as 5 seconds but could change your entire day.

Try setting an intention for the day.

When you first wake up, before you step out of bed, choose a word that you want to represent you for the day.

For example, maybe you have an incredibly busy schedule ahead – you might choose the intention of ‘peaceful’ or ‘energized.’

Maybe you have some potentially volatile meetings on the calendar – your intention might be ‘calm’ or ‘graceful.’

Some other intentions might include ‘smile,’ ‘gratitude,’ ‘leader,’ ‘inspired,’ or ‘clear.’

Choose a word that captures who and how you want to be in the world, repeat it to yourself a few times, then call it to mind whenever you think of it throughout the day. You may be surprised what a difference this makes in terms of your mood, attitude, and how you carry yourself throughout the day!

Your best intentions stem from your purpose! Clarify yours at Spark on November 3 – click here for details!

Seven Podcasts To Support Your Growth

Christi Hegstad October 13th, 2017

Oddly, as much as I love to read, I rarely listen to audiobooks. I do, however, admit to a mild (and by mild, I mean major) addiction to podcasts. Whenever I am in the car, out for a walk, or doing tasks around the house, you can safely bet that I am either singing along to my eclectic playlist or listening to a podcast.

While I could recommend at least 30 of them, here are a few that focus on personal/professional growth and that I find myself recommending frequently to clients, friends, on Instagram, and beyond:

The Living Experiment – Although labeled a fitness and nutrition podcast, I always connect Dallas Hartwig and Pilar Gerasimo’s topics to mindset, career, and personal growth. They back their ideas in research and end each episode with actions – experiments – to help listeners live well.

High-Performance Mindset – Dr. Cindra Kamphoff interviews high performers, often from the world of athletics, to discuss ways to master your mindset, pursue big goals, and persevere through obstacles.

Being Boss – “Being Boss is owning who you are and making things happen,” their podcast description states, and entrepreneurs Emily Thompson and Kathleen Shannon do a terrific job of this. Some episodes share their habits and tactics; others include interviews from bosses like Marie Forleo, Brene Brown, Danielle LaPorte, and more.

The Sonya Looney Show – An engineer by trade who became a world-champion mountain biker, Sonya has quite an interesting story to tell. Most episodes also include interviews with authors, Olympic athletes, and high-achieving individuals, and her questions for them lead to practical, insightful action steps.

What Should I Read Next? – I typically listen to this the day it comes out. Anne Bogel speaks with a reader each week, asking them three of their favorite books, one book they dislike, and what they’re currently reading. She then does a bit of literary matchmaking and suggests three books she thinks they’d enjoy next. If you’re a reader, just start adding to your reading fund or notifying your library of upcoming massive requests now.

How I Built This – Guy Raz interviews inventors, entrepreneurs, big dreamers, and innovators, getting into detail about their victories and failures and everything in between. This podcast is high-quality, thoughtful, and intriguing; I’d also recommend Fresh Air, This American Life, and anything else NPR produces.

Pursuit With Purpose – I’ve just discovered this one but have liked every episode I’ve heard so far. Exhausted by ‘the rat race of competition and comparison,’ Melyssa Griffin decided to change her life in pursuit of greater meaning and fulfillment, and interviews a variety of top-notch folks to share their tips and techniques in this regard.

What do you listen to? Feel free to offer your recommendations below or on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter!

Spark Earlybird Rates are about to end. Click here to join us!

Tell Yourself A New Story

Christi Hegstad October 12th, 2017

I started writing this blog a few days ago, intending to speak in general terms about the less-than-helpful stories we tell ourselves. You know the ones: Perhaps as innocuous as “I can’t parallel park” or “I wish I could remember names.” Or perhaps more triggering, more painful.

I then briefly hopped on Facebook and saw a brave and inspiring post by a lovely client, Lisa. Here’s a portion of what she wrote (shared with her permission):

We all tell ourselves stories, every day.

Sometimes they’re positive, and often they’re not.

Sometimes we’ve invented them based on thoughts or experiences, and other times they’ve come unsolicited by others.

Sometimes they’re relatively minor, and sometimes they run long and deep – impacting how we carry ourselves, what we believe we can accomplish, how confident we feel, and more.

And so often, too often, we don’t realize we can change the story.

Lisa realized she could change the story. She shared a bit more about her experience in her post, then went on to say:

Listen to that little voice that tells you maybe they were wrong. Whoever they were and whatever they were saying…they’re wrong. You rock and you’re beautiful. There. Consider me your candle today.

What story has been holding you back from living and working to your absolute full potential? What makes you feel small, not worthy enough, or less than?

Change that story today, right now. If you do nothing else today or this entire week, fine – this is your most important work in this moment.

Because when you rewrite your story how YOU want it to go, you take back your power, you step into yourself, you let the best and brightest parts of you shine and inspire.

And, like Lisa, you serve as a candle for others.

Rewrite your story, and repeat it to yourself often. The world needs what only you can offer, and you can only offer it when you let go of the stories that hold you back and replace them with your beautiful, true, and authentic self.

Your true, authentic story is steeped in your purpose. Unsure what that is? Spark can help – click here for more.

A Key Component to Mini-Goals and Fresh Habits

Christi Hegstad October 11th, 2017

While I love all the seasons, and experiencing them in detail is one reason I adore the Midwest, I must admit: Fall is my favorite. Between the beautifully changing scenery, blue-jeans-and-sweatshirt weather, cool breezes, bonfires, and pumpkin everything, I savor this brief but colorful season.

For much of my life, I’ve noticed an uptick in motivation, focus, and drive when autumn rolls around. I imagine this has been prompted in large part by the start of the school year, but lately, I’ve realized I need to give credit to the season itself. Something about fall transforms me – and encourages me to transform my ways of operating, too.

So for the past 10 years or so, my sister and I have planned for and celebrated what we call Fall Transformation. Much like turning the calendar to a new year, we create fresh mini-goals, new habits, and basically decide how our lives will be different at the end of the season. This year we even scheduled our annual sister roadtrip to coincide not only with a creative business planning retreat but also the onset of fall. My furry nephew, Merle (pictured below), joined us as well. It was magical!

As one of my Fall Transformation mini-goals, I decided to blog every day for 30 days. While I journal daily, and typically blog once or twice a week, I wanted to step up my writing game for a number of reasons. A daily blog, for a limited time, seemed the perfect challenge.

And you’re reading #25, so I’m almost there!

One key to a successful Fall Transformation – or any goal, activity, or project, really – involves tracking. While some things may need to be tracked in a formalized system, I recommend reconnecting with your inner second-grader for tracking some of your simple personal goals or habits. Gold foil stars, smiley-face stickers, or a chart you’ve drawn by hand (like my 30 Days Of Blogging leaf below) can tap into your creativity, inspire you to continue the necessary actions, and have a little childlike fun in the process!

Consider giving this a try! What would you like to do for the next 15, 30, or 90 days? What would kickstart a goal that you’d like to achieve by the end of the year?

Buy a box of crayons, let your inner child out to play, and enjoy your Fall Transformation!

Wondering other keys to achieving big dreams, bold goals, and life transformations? Join us at Spark for more! Click here for details and to enroll.

Be The Lighthouse

Christi Hegstad October 10th, 2017

If you look up lighthouse in various dictionaries (yes, I did, thank you), you can paraphrase the definition simply as “to shine as a beacon of light.” Maybe this is a good to-do list item for all of us, too.

How can we shine as a beacon of light for others? A few starter ideas:

* Make eye contact when they speak.

* Listen actively, with full attention. (Phone hidden, laptop closed.)

* Focus on, and model, what we want more of in the world.

* Ask, “What would be most helpful right now?”

* Take care of yourself, so you can better care for others.

I know I need to work on a few of these. What other ideas would you add?

Looking for ways to ignite your own light so you can shine brightly for others? Join us at Spark on November 3! Click here for details.

Your Greatest Motivator and Clarity-Finder

Christi Hegstad October 9th, 2017

“I survived because the fire within me burned brighter than the fire around me.”

Unknown

Coaching Tip of the Week:

Whew. To say there’s a lot going on in our world is an understatement, wouldn’t you agree? I’ve heard several people say they just want to crawl back in bed for a while until things get figured out.

Tempting, sure. But effective?

As I mentioned in a recent blog, you first and foremost have the right to feel your feelings.

Then, if you’re anything like me, you need to take action.

And what will fuel your action? What will keep the fire within you burning brighter than anything else?

Your values and your purpose.

This week, act in accordance with your values.

As I mentioned in that same blog, the line of an old country song says, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” What do you stand for? What matters most?

Get clear on that, and act accordingly. Your values and your purpose will burn brighter – and help you be stronger – than anything going on around you.

If you’re unsure about your values, join us for Spark – you’ll get my Values Clarification exercise and crystal clear about your values before we even meet!

Let your values guide your actions! They will not lead you astray.

Clarify your values, write your Purpose Statement, then design your work and life to honor them! Click here to learn how.

Category Archives: Uncategorized

The world – at least my corner of it – needed it.

I wanted to prove to myself that I could actually do it.

My mom and her message.