February 2024 Reading Wrap-up!

I’m not sure if I was in a reading slump or just preoccupied with other things, but a good part of February involved either not reading much or not particularly loving what I was reading. Fortunately my bookish experience turned around in the last couple of weeks – I finished several books, including two of my favorites, within the last few days of the month!

In total, I read 8 books in February: 4 nonfiction and 4 fiction. My favorite nonfiction of the month was The Art Thief by Michael Finkel, a fascinating and infuriating account of someone who stole a significant amount of art in the 1990s and 2000s – in broad daylight, in plain sight, without violence, during museum operating hours. I really enjoy Finkel’s narrative style and appreciate the amount of research and care he puts into his projects. I felt the same way when I read The Stranger in the Woods by him a few years back.

Other nonfiction I enjoyed this month included Sunshine Girl by Julianna Margulies (one of my favorite actors, and she reads the audiobook), Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton, and Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal.

Let me know if you’d like me to expand on any of these, or to share my fiction reads as well! In the meantime, what was your favorite book this month?

Key Takeaways From Hidden Potential

Christi Hegstad February 21st, 2024

This blog was originally published on the Dog-Eared Books website.

Are you living up to your highest potential? Are you helping others do the same?

Would you like to?

We all have the capacity to accomplish great things and make a meaningful difference, and Adam Grant’s latest book, Hidden Potential, offers guidance and ideas for doing just that. This book is a fantastic read at any time, but particularly at the start of the new year – with insights we can apply to our growth and goals throughout 2024 and beyond!

If you’re new to Adam Grant, he holds quite an impressive background: he’s an organizational psychologist, a top-rated professor at The Wharton School, the author of multiple books (including one of my all-time favorites, Think Again), a highly-viewed TED Talk presenter, a podcast host, and more. His research and writing have been widely published and acclaimed, including an article you may have come across when it went viral in 2021 about languishing – a topic he also addresses in Hidden Potential.

Grant brings his research, experience, and signature voice to every page of this latest release. Interspersed with stories, personal examples, and even cartoon drawings, readers can easily find themselves fully engaged in the text while learning practical strategies to implement in work, relationships, and life.

For starters, Hidden Potential is a terrific resource for:

• Getting unstuck – including identifying what may have brought us to feeling stuck in the first place, such as burnout or boreout (more on that below). “A rut is not a sign that you’ve tanked. A plateau is not a cue that you’ve peaked,” explains Grant. “They’re signals that it may be time to turn around and find a new route.”

• Enhancing motivation. From practicing music scales or sports drills repeatedly, to thriving even in repetitive work routines, Grant shares inspiring stories of people who have put the book’s concepts into practice and boosted their motivation as a result. I love the example of Nurse Quick Shot, an allergy nurse who used the concept of harmonious passion (described fully in the book) to bring ideas into her work that made it more enjoyable while also putting her patients at ease.

• Helping others fulfill their potential, whether our children, students, employees, team members, or others with whom we connect. From the questions we ask, to the behaviors we model, to the coaching we offer, to numerous other areas, Hidden Potential highlights the value in uncovering and fulfilling our own potential while also supporting others in doing the same.

Grant is exceptional at providing evidence-based suggestions in a conversational tone, offering a wide range of examples to help us relate them to our own experience. I’ve never had dreams of becoming an astronaut, for example, but in reading the story of José Hernandez – an individual Grant highlights who did have that dream and overcame significant odds as he pursued it – I found myself taking tips from his experience and applying them to the goals and dreams I do have. Reading such profound stories of real-life people taking action to fulfill their highest potential is inspiring in and of itself; partnered with actionable practices we can put into place makes us unstoppable.

Throughout Hidden Potential, we are also introduced to a number of concepts that may be completely new to us but become so useful once learned. A new-to-me word I mentioned earlier – boreout – is one such example: Unlike burnout, which Grant describes as the emotional exhaustion we experience when we feel overloaded or overwhelmed, boreout is the emotional deadening we experience when we are under-stimulated. Both impact our capacity to engage at our highest potential but can stem from different sources. Other concepts include languishing, deliberate play, and harmonious passion, to name a few. Being able to recognize what we’re experiencing, as well as give it a name, may help us formulate solutions and/or get the help and support we need in order to thrive.

I particularly appreciate Grant’s point about how fulfilling our potential isn’t only about setting new goals or achieving greater heights; it’s also found in resilience, shifting gears, and bouncing back. We may feel like we’re failing – or at least not succeeding – when we discover we need to slow down or backtrack a bit, and thus berate ourselves for not moving more quickly. “Beating yourself up doesn’t make you stronger,” writes Grant, “it leaves you bruised.” Recognizing growth even in the challenging times is a valuable part of unleashing our hidden potential – an easily-overlooked but important reminder.

If you’ve read Hidden Potential and want to discuss it, or if you haven’t read it yet and want to learn more, join me on January 24, 6pm, at Dog-Eared Books in Ames! During this inaugural session of Your Best Self book club, we’ll chat about the book’s standout stories, helpful concepts, and how we can apply the ideas to our lives, work, and interactions. It will be an engaging conversation and a fabulous way to kickstart the new year!

3 Steps Toward Purposeful Productivity

Christi Hegstad February 14th, 2024

My favorite kind of day includes a blend of two key ingredients:

Productivity + Peacefulness.

I greatly appreciate when I can go to bed at night knowing I’ve accomplished some purposeful tasks and activities while also experiencing peaceful moments along the way. Frazzled, harried, completely-stressed-out just doesn’t do it for me, regardless of how much I achieve.

Over the years, I have gathered the key strategies that help me experience my favorite kind of day as frequently as possible, which have come together as one of my most-requested keynotes: Run Your Day (So It Doesn’t Run You!). And while different seasons of life call for different actions, here are three that have stood the test of time:

1. Results-Oriented Time Blocking

We all probably recognize that blocking time on our calendar for a specific activity, and honoring that time block for that specific activity, are two separate actions – one much easier than the other. I can’t tell you how many times I used to block an hour for a project, then spend the first 25 minutes trying to decide what exactly I’d do and gathering the necessary materials!

To optimize your valuable time, I suggest adopting what I call Results-Oriented Time Blocking. This primarily involves deciding in advance what, specifically, you will walk away from that time having completed.

Instead of blocking two hours to work on your book, for example, specify that you will complete the outline for chapter 4 or that you will edit pages 56-85. Write this result right into your calendar if possible, to a) remind you to gather necessary supplies in advance, and b) direct your mind immediately upon starting the time block.

Click here for a how-to article on Results-Oriented Time Blocking.

2. Weekly R + P

“Time flies.” Do you agree?

If you’ve ever reached a milestone birthday or the end of a year and wondered where the time went, you can probably relate. And if you’ve ever gotten to that moment and couldn’t recall how you spent the time or what you had to show for it, I highly recommend the Weekly Review + Planning session, or Weekly R+P.

Once a week, maybe on Friday afternoon or Sunday evening, dedicate a bit of time to reflect on how you spent the previous week and to prepare for meaningful success in the upcoming one. You can decide what your Weekly R+P entails; mine includes documenting a few wins, challenges, and lessons learned, for starters.

You could spend as much as an hour on this – maybe brewing a favorite coffee or tea and making it a bit of a ceremony – or complete it during your 15-minute bus ride home. You might adapt this as a monthly and/or quarterly practice, too.

I’ll admit, when I just thought about my 2023, I formed a very different picture in my mind than when I actually reviewed my year’s worth of R+P notes. The year kind of threw me for a loop (as I wrote about last week), but the regular documentation reminded me how much I had grown, achieved, connected, and learned. I was so grateful for this actual data when my mind wanted to tell a different story!

Click here for an in-depth article on the Weekly R+P.

3. Daily Top 3

Really, all this step requires is a pen, a sticky note, and the decision to prioritize!

There’s a saying that if everything is important, then nothing is important; we must do the best we can with our finite amounts of time and energy. So if your Tuesday to-do list boasts 73 items and you weigh them all equally, chances are you won’t wrap up your day feeling very purposeful or productive.

All those tasks may be important – just not equally important. Choose which three matter most today, separate them out from the master list (here’s where the pen and sticky note come in handy), and commit to those actions – even if the day goes off-script and nothing else gets accomplished.

Click here for more insight on prioritizing and choosing your Daily Top 3.

Crafting More of YOUR Favorite Days

What does purposeful productivity look, feel like, and mean to you? Which of these strategies might help you experience it more regularly?

If crafting more productive and peaceful days sounds right up your alley and you’d like to do more of it, I’d love to share more of my favorite strategies with you, as well as provide the tools I use to support them. Feel free to inquire about a speaking engagement for your staff, conference, or leadership retreat! Or check out my other popular sessions to help bring meaning to work, purpose to life, and achieve bold + difference-making goals.

To more fulfilling, peaceful, purposefully productive days in the year ahead!

What’s Your Goal-itude In 2024?

Christi Hegstad January 17th, 2024

How many personality assessments have you taken over the course of your career? Whether shining a light on our personal strengths or telling us which Disney character we most resemble, assessments can prompt us to look at our actions and behaviors through a different lens.

And while I prefer well-researched and validated assessments, I did think it might be fun – and perhaps helpful, especially at the start of a new year – to think about goal achievement in terms of personal preferences. Please note these five goal attitudes – goal-itudes, if you will 🙂 – are not based in scientific data, but rather on some tendencies I’ve observed in my 20+ years in business. I’ll share a tip for each, as well as one way (of many) a coach can support you, in case you recognize yourself in any of these examples!

The Strong Starter

Description: You have big energy / motivation when launching your goals but find it waning over time.

Tip: Frontload your action plan to the extent possible, taking advantage of that early momentum.

Coaching: Can provide ongoing accountability and help you connect with your ‘why’ when your energy and focus falters.

The Big-Picture Dreamer

Description: You can easily see the grand result of what could be, but not always the smaller steps needed to get there.

Tip: Create guideposts and checklists to stay on course. (You’ll most likely have a vision board of some sort already in mind!)

Coaching: Can co-create your action plan and help you level up your progress on a regular basis.

The Detail-Oriented Doer

Description: You’re great at crafting the step-by-step plan, but don’t always envision the big picture.

Tip: Craft a vision board, statement, or some visual representation of what you’re moving toward. (You’ll likely create the checklists naturally!)

Coaching: Can help connect the dots between the small actions and the big vision, particularly if you find yourself ‘lost in the weeds’ at times.

The All-Or-Nothing

Description: Similar to a go-big-or-go-home approach, you find yourself doing everything (and soon burning out) or doing nothing (and feeling like you’re not fulfilling your potential).

Tip: Get the ‘all’ out on paper (ie, a breakthrough map), then choose a select number of items (ie, no more than three) to focus your energy on.

Coaching: Can look at the ‘all’ with you then help you prioritize, complete, and move forward smoothly and systematically.

The Continuous Improver

Description: You strive to keep building and enhancing your skills, focusing more on ongoing growth than on a particular end result.

Tip: Give yourself mini-milestones and deadlines, so you enjoy the momentum of completion / accomplishment while continuing to expand your capabilities.

Coaching: Can help you quantify and measure seemingly unquantifiable areas of growth, such as clarity or confidence, and celebrate wins along the way.

For all five goal-itudes, as well as many others not listed here, a coach can help. We still have a few spots left in C+C with Dr. C if you’d like to join us for this guidance, support, and encouragement all year long!

Whatever your attitudes towards goals, intentions, projects, and ideas, I wish you a year filled with meaningful success!

A Letter From Your Future Self

Christi Hegstad January 10th, 2024

Want to plan a beautiful year for yourself but don’t quite feel in goal-setting mode?

Here’s an idea to try instead. All you need is a pen, a piece of paper, an envelope, and your calendar.

At the top of your page, write December 31, 2024 (or whatever future date you choose).

Imagine yourself on that date, and consider what you’d love to be celebrating and acknowledging at that time.

Then, write yourself a letter from that space.

Give yourself a time limit of 15 minutes (to prevent overthinking) and simply write from the heart. What would you love to be celebrating at that time? What growth will you ideally experience, what goals will you ideally reach, what projects will you ideally accomplish? For what will you be especially thankful?

You can be as general or specific as you’d like with your letter. Let go of any perfectionistic tendencies (I no longer allow myself a rough draft, for example 🙂 ) and any requirements or expectations. Yes, it may feel silly to write a letter to and from yourself – but so what. Simply let it be fun and illuminating.

Next, seal your letter in an envelope with your name and the instructions ‘Open on December 31, 2024’ on the front. Place it somewhere secure, and make a note or appointment in your calendar for the open date. (Include a reminder of where you placed it, if needed.)

I have conducted this exercise many times and it’s such a fun way to dream a bit now and celebrate later. I am nearly always surprised at how my ideas have transformed or come to fruition over the year, too!

Have you ever written a letter from your future self? What did you discover in the process?

Top Ten Books Of The Year – Fiction Edition!

Christi Hegstad December 19th, 2023

Last week I posted my nonfiction favorites; this week, it’s fiction’s turn!

At the time of this writing, I’ve read nearly 100 books, almost evenly split between fiction and nonfiction. Below, after much difficulty (book nerd problems! :-)), I’ve listed the ten fiction books that topped my list. Have you read any of these?

French Braid by Anne Tyler

This is my second Tyler book (I read A Spool of Blue Thread last year) and I feel she writes the ultimate ‘quiet story’ – nothing much happens outside of everyday life stuff, yet as the reader I somehow can’t stop turning the pages. Her character development is extraordinary, as is the vividness of her environments and the draw of emotions. I have two more of hers I plan to read – possibly over the holidays – so I may need to update this list at that time!

Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton*

I’m cheating a bit here since I’m encapsulating eight books into one entry. I was told about this series near the start of the year and have been enjoying about one book a month since (and luckily still have 20+ more waiting in the wings!). A fun mystery series with a smart, somewhat sarcastic middle-aged protagonist who keeps finding herself involved in solving the crimes of her small British village; these books have helped fill the void left by no Louise Penny book being published this year. I listen to the audiobooks via my library’s Libby app and thoroughly enjoy the narrator – a factor which often can make or break a reading experience.

True Biz by Sara Novic

I picked this one up on a bit of a whim and hoped to enjoy it, but I had no idea how deeply I would adore – and truly be moved by – it. The book focuses on a group of high school students and their families, faculty, and friends at the River Valley School for the Deaf, and seamlessly addresses a whole range of social issues while sharing a gripping story. I empathized with so many characters in this book and marvel at Novic’s ability to weave together such a compelling, eye-opening narrative.

Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin

I don’t follow many book prizes too closely, with one exception: the Women’s Prize for Fiction. This award list has led me to some of my favorite books of the year, multiple years in a row. Wandering Souls, a historical fiction story of a family fleeing Vietnam in the 1970s, was touching, heartbreaking, and beautiful, and probably not a book I would have known about had it not been for the prize. A short, powerful read offering a unique perspective.

The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane

Keane’s earlier book, Ask Again Yes, made it into my top ten a few years ago, so I was thrilled to hear she had written another – and even more thrilled that I loved this one, too. She has a way of writing such flawed (aka, human) characters that have you cheering for them, yelling at them, and relating to them deeply, all at once. At one point in the story, I literally gasped because a character I thought I knew so well made a completely different choice than I expected. I love experiencing such emotion through literature!

The Lost Husband by Katherine Center*

I haven’t read much in the romance/rom com genre lately, but I wanted a paperback while traveling and decided to give Katherine Center a try. I’ve since read a couple more of hers and, like I wrote above about Anne Tyler, have others on deck in the near future! Center’s books somehow manage to be both light and funny yet deep and touching, too. Fortunately she has quite a backlist so I’ll have picks for a good while.

Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

Clocking in at 672 pages, this was definitely the longest book I read this year, and I enjoyed every page! Classics usually take me a little while to get into in terms of the language and cadence, but once I fell into the flow of this one, I was entranced. We often seem to revel in the ‘simple life’ nostalgia of these times, but authors like Gaskell show how not simple it truly was, especially for certain people. I’ve now got several other Gaskell works on my TBR; North And South will be next.

Foster by Claire Keegan*

Size-wise, this one is at the opposite end of the spectrum compared to Wives & Daughters at barely more than a novella, but equally as poignant. Keegan has a mastery of words unlike any other author I know; her writing is sparse yet packed with imagery and meaning. I had a hard time deciding whether Foster or her later book, Small Things Like These, would make the list – I read both this year and both were absolutely stunning.

Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

An award-winning book and a popular movie – both of which have been around for 30+ years – and I am just now getting to this novel! Definitely worth the wait, though. I loved the great care the main character took with his work, finding meaning in each of his various tasks as a butler; I also ached for him and some of the realizations he had along the way. Such a quiet, compelling story – I haven’t yet seen the movie and am not sure I will, but I may very well reread the book.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

As I shared in my nonfiction top ten list, I believe this is the first time in decades of reading that an author has made both my fiction and nonfiction favorites the same year! I adore Patchett’s gift for storytelling; while I didn’t love everything she incorporated into this one, I can’t deny how vividly I still picture the cherry orchards and the theater company and nearly everything else she described. The cover of this book is glorious, but I also recommend the audiobook – read by another master of her craft, Meryl Streep.

What an outstanding reading year 2023 has been, supplemented by fun bookish podcasts and insightful booktubers, too. What tops your list of favorite books for the year?

* Signifies that I’ve read and enjoyed multiple books by the author this year!

Top Ten Books of 2023 – Nonfiction Edition!

Christi Hegstad December 13th, 2023

What an excellent reading year 2023 has been! This has made narrowing down my list to ten favorites delightfully difficult, but today’s blog is my attempt to take on this annual challenge.

My ten favorite nonfiction reads are listed here in no particular order. If you’ve read any of them, I’d love to hear your thoughts, too!

HumanKind by Rutger Bregman

A beautiful, thoughtful read that can help restore your faith in humanity. Bregman does a terrific job presenting facts about our world that show quite a different story than what we may see on the nightly news. Although not sugar-coated nor in denial of the issues we face, HumanKind is an optimistic and uplifting read, and also a good reminder to think critically and not simply take headlines and sensationalism at face value.

All The Beauty In The World by Patrick Bringley

This may be the only nonfiction book on my list this year that actually brought tears to my eyes. We see (and I typically enjoy) a lot of ‘project for a year’ types of books, but this was completely different: prompted in large part by grief, Bringley left his fast-paced career in journalism to quietly stand guard over the artwork at the Metropolitan Museum of Art – a position he then held for the next ten years. I love the reflective nature of this work and his story, and the deep impacts he experienced in all aspects of life.

Wild & Precious, narrated by Sophia Bush and others

I’ve long been a fan of Mary Oliver’s gorgeous poetry, and this book (found only in audio format, I believe) reminds me that I’m certainly not the only one. This unique celebration includes commentary from famous actors, general readers, Oliver’s students, and more, and even includes samples of Oliver reading her own poems – a beautiful way to take them in. A very unique format and a powerful example of legacy.

Quit by Annie Duke

This was one of the first books I read this year and has remained one of the most impactful. Duke’s perspectives on quitting – from her unique background in both psychology and professional poker playing – really challenge my long-held beliefs about quitting. I’ve written articles about how this book has affected my thinking (you can find an example here) as well as the realizations I had when reflecting on the connections between quitting and persevering (as discussed here).

The Good Enough Job by Simone Stolzoff

For 20+ years my professional life has been dedicated to helping people experience meaning and purpose at work and in life, so I love reading different explorations of this topic. By sharing a variety of individuals’ unique career experiences, this book provides an intriguing look at our relationship with our work, how much it defines us, and whether or not we ‘require’ a certain job or role in order to find fulfillment. If you find your definition of success changing over time, you may find this book particularly insightful.

The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris

Confidence is an area I coach on often, although it is rarely the specific one that brings people to coaching; it’s often an underlying component that can unwittingly impact our motivation, achievement, and sense of purpose. This book is over ten years old but just made my reading list last month and instantly became a favorite. I especially appreciate the practical solutions Harris suggests, as well as the section on values, goals, and their connection with confidence.

Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor with Michelle Hamilton

I can’t quite imagine the life of a professional athlete – someone whose livelihood requires them to run for miles upon miles upon miles every day – but this memoir took me a bit closer! Beyond the intense physical training of an elite distance runner, Kastor shares the importance of mental toughness and the training she had to undergo in mindset, optimism, and positivity in order to achieve the incredible feats she has accomplished. I particularly love her drive and determination blended with utter kindness, care, and compassion for teammates and competitors alike. I recommend listening to the audiobook while exercising – a good motivation boost!

Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban by John Talty

When I started this audiobook I barely knew who Nick Saban was; by the end he practically felt like a colleague. I’m admittedly not an avid football fan but I am a fan of effective coaching – whether in athletics, business, or elsewhere – and I took away a number of tidbits from this book. Informed by a variety of people who have interacted with Saban over the years, this book clearly shows he has impacted many throughout his lengthy career. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on foundational keys like consistency, focus, efficiency, and not letting external circumstances run the show or impact your level of effort/dedication. Very motivating!

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett

As I’ll share in my upcoming fiction top ten list, I believe this is the first time in decades of reading that an author has made both my fiction and nonfiction favorites the same year! A collection of essays, this book explores aspects of Patchett’s life ranging from her unique relationship with her three fathers, to how Tom Hanks came to narrate her Dutch House audiobook, to friendship, bookstore ownership, and more. Patchett became one of my favorite writers of all time back in the early 2000s and I will pretty much read her grocery lists at this point, should she choose to publish them.

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

If you heard me gush about Think Again a couple years back, get ready to hear me gush about Grant’s latest release in a similar fashion. I tabbed and highlighted pretty much every page of this one, and even copied a few poignant lines in my personal journal because they spoke to me so deeply. If you’d like to chat with me about Hidden Potential early next year, make sure you’re on my email list or connected with me on social media, as I’m partnering with a nearby bookstore for a fun book club chat about this one!

There you have it: My ten favorite nonfiction reads of the year! A few honorable mentions came close – feel free to peruse my blog for thoughts on those. And stay tuned for my ten fiction favorites, coming soon!

What was your favorite nonfiction book of the year?

If You’re At A Crossroads

Christi Hegstad December 6th, 2023

Do I stay in my current role, or is it time for a new one?

Will I finally pursue my bold goal / dream / adventure in 2024, or will I delay it another year?

What do I stand for? What do I want to be known for?

The end of the year often brings big questions, like the above examples, into the light. As we reflect on what we’ve done (and haven’t done) in the past 12 months, many of us view the approaching new year as a clean slate and, understandably, want to make the most of it!

Those big questions don’t always come with easy answers, though, and we can find ourselves mentally back-and-forth’ing for quite some time. I found myself at such a crossroads a while ago when faced with some significant business decisions I needed to make.

Today, I’m sharing a few strategies that helped me get clear, refocused, and confident in those decisions. Perhaps one of these can help you too, or spark new ideas of your own!

1. Work with a coach.

I can’t emphasize enough how helpful it is to have an objective, trained professional to point out what I’m too in the weeds to see myself, and also to remind me of what I’m often quick to forget. I’ve hired a couple different coaches for my specific issue, and both have provided unique and valuable support in my decision-making.

By the way, I recognize that by saying this as a coach myself, it may sound like a ‘hire me!’ ad. But honestly, even if you don’t work with me, I encourage you to explore hiring a qualified, certified, ICF-credentialed coach.

2. Create a Weights + Lifts list.

I often share this exercise with clients, and it had been a while since I’d done it myself. Basically, this involves drawing two columns on a page and filling one with things (tasks, obligations, aspects of business, etc) that weigh you down and the other with things that lift you up. From there, you can begin deciding what to change, delegate, maintain, etc.

This proved exceptionally eye-opening! I actually discovered several items that had switched columns completely from just a year ago. You can read more about Weights + Lifts here.

3. Craft a new vision statement.

I even took this a step further and also wrote new goals, guiding principles, and a fresh business plan from scratch. When I compared my new documents with previous ones, there was a lot of overlap – but also some unique ideas that may not have emerged had I just tweaked the old ones again.

4. Blend grit with quit.

Being an all-or-nothing kind of gal, I often lean toward absolutes: train for a marathon or don’t run at all, for instance. It can be a helpful quality when I’m ready for an ‘all in’ experience, however it can also be waaaaaay too limiting!

In reading Quit by Annie Duke and rereading Grit by Angela Duckworth – and actually seeing much common ground between the two – I realized that, in my particular situation, I wanted to persevere with my overall goal but also needed to let certain aspects go. You can read more of my thoughts on these two books here.

5. Declutter. Massively.

I’ve cleared out and cleaned up a bunch throughout this process, from papers and closets and books, to emails and icons and media platforms, to my schedule and ‘shoulds’ and beyond. (If you’ve been with me for a while, the only thing surprising about this one might be that I have anything left to declutter! :-)) The clear-out has, as per usual, felt light-giving and liberating.

Going Forward

The process has involved many layered decisions and bittersweet changes, but it has also felt rejuvenating and clarifying. In many ways, and combined with the approaching new year, I feel like I am at a fresh start. I’ve checked in with my values and purpose all along the way, and I am continuing to expand my vision, keep the faith – and do the work.

If you find yourself embarking on a goal, exploring a new idea, or standing at a crossroads, I encourage you to enroll in the 2024 Coaching + Connection opportunity and enjoy my – and others’ – support throughout the entire next year! Visit the website and hop on the Waiting List today!

Let’s choose the path that makes 2024 our most meaningful, purposeful, bold year yet!

Coaching + Connection Q&A

Christi Hegstad November 20th, 2023

I recently shared about a new offering for 2024 that includes both 1:1 coaching sessions plus monthly opportunities to connect with other achievers. Today, I am addressing a few additional questions that have been asked about this unique offering!

Can I schedule my coaching sessions however I want?

Yes! Whether you choose the 4, 6, or 12 session program, you can spread them out throughout the year or we can coordinate them on an as-needed basis. The only requirement is to complete them by 12/1/24.

What will our coaching sessions focus on?

Essentially, we can focus on whatever you’d like. You might set a goal at the start and we coach toward it throughout the year, or you can bring a new issue or focus to each session. That’s the beauty of 1:1 coaching: it is truly customized to meet your needs.

Many people come to coaching knowing they want ongoing support but not really sure what specific outcome they desire. That is absolutely fine! Part of our first session – as well as the Coaching Self-Assessment you’ll receive in advance – will bring greater clarity and focus right from the start.

What is your area of coaching specialization?

I am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) specializing in personal growth and professional / executive development. Topics I frequently coach on include goals, purpose, meaningful work, leadership, confidence, motivation, business and career growth, and time/productivity.

What will the ‘connection’ opportunities be in this Coaching + Connection program?

Each month throughout 2024, you will be invited to connect with fellow achievers! These are wonderful opportunities to get to know, learn from, and become inspired by other outstanding individuals.

These connection points will be a combination of in-person and virtual offerings and will include mastermind sessions, guided topical / book discussions, office hours, Q&A sessions, and relaxing Happiness Hour gatherings. We have one planned each month throughout the year, and everyone enrolled is welcome to attend as many as they wish!

Limited spots are available for this 2024 program, so I encourage you to email us and reserve your spot. You can find additional information here, and feel free to ask further questions in the comments below!

Year-End Goal Boosters

Christi Hegstad November 9th, 2023

With just a handful of weeks left in the year, I’ve been asking a number of people how they’re feeling about goals – whether ones they’re currently working toward, or as they think ahead to 2024.

The answers have varied widely, from ‘Super motivated!’ to ‘Meh’ to ‘Goals? What goals?’

And often, it simply depends on the day.

If you need a bit of a boost as the year winds down, here are a few ideas:

* Focus in.

If you have one main goal, really zeroing in on one step or milestone at a time could help you progress more easefully. And if you have several goals, this might mean asking which 1-2 truly matter most at this time.

* Acknowledge how far you’ve come – even if it’s not where you expected to be.

Where were you last year at this time on this particular goal? What can you do or say now that you couldn’t six months ago? Give yourself credit for the progress you have made. Sullivan + Hardy’s book, The Gap + The Gain, offers a great reminder to the importance/benefits of this.

* Revisit your WHY.

Remembering why you started can fuel your motivation like nothing else. And also be open to the possibility that things – including timing – may have changed since you first stepped on the path to your goal.

What else would you add for some year-end goal motivation?

Tag Archives: coach

1. Results-Oriented Time Blocking

2. Weekly R + P

3. Daily Top 3

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