Hurdles In Your Goals

Christi Hegstad November 8th, 2022

Some goals feel like a sprint, some like a marathon.

Some feel like both, with a bunch of hurdles thrown in, too!

When it comes to achieving goals, obstacles are more ‘when’ than ‘if.’

Fortunately, you have options when faced with them.

You can start by asking yourself a few questions:

What does the ideal outcome look like? How will it feel to reach?

Why is this goal important? Why did I set it?

When have I encountered a similar obstacle in the past? What helped me through it?

Consider asking these types of questions even before, ‘What do I do next?’ They can help boost your motivation, re-clarify the big picture, and remind you why it all matters.

You can then determine how best to jump your hurdle, or remove it from your path, or create a new way around it.

What do you find helpful when you encounter an obstacle on the way to your goal? Share your ideas below!

Doors are now open for the ASPIRE Bold Goal Academy and the ASPIRE Success Club! Join one of these powerful programs while space is available!

Monthly Review – October ’22 Lessons Learned

Christi Hegstad November 7th, 2022

In addition to the reminder that time flies, October brought me a host of lessons. Here are few that stood out:

1. Decluttering creates space in more ways than just physically.

2. Intentional silence and solitude can be so good for the soul – and the creative muscle.

3. Even with planning, excitement, and years of preparation, significant life changes still require some adjusting.

4. It’s time to revive some Big Dreams + Bold Goals!

5. It all counts. Even if it seems small, insignificant, or unseen.

(Oh, and did I mention how time flies?)

Can you relate to any of these? What reminder or new lesson did you gain in October?

Doors are now open for the ASPIRE Bold Goal Academy and the ASPIRE Success Club! Join one of these powerful programs while space is available!

When You Want Something Different – But Don’t Know What

Christi Hegstad November 5th, 2022

“I know I want something different, I just don’t know what that is.”

Oh, if I had a nickel for each time a coaching client said that.

And often with some embarrassment: “Shouldn’t I know this by now?”

Or even guilt or shame: “On paper, everything is fine – but why am I not content?”

First, you have permission to feel what you feel.

Second, you’ve never been this age before. You’ve never been in these exact life circumstances before. You’ve never lived in this time before. So if you’re a bit muddled or confused, cut yourself some slack.

We probably all are, to some extent!

Plus, it means you’re growing – an experience nearly always accompanied by some level of uncertainty and discomfort. Worthwhile uncertainty and discomfort, but still.

If you know you want something to change but don’t know what, consider asking yourself a few questions:

What would you love to do – or do more of – if you had unlimited time, money, and/or courage?

What’s working right now?

What do you find yourself particularly drawn to these days, even if you don’t know why? (Think article topics, podcast episodes, conversations you must be a part of…)

These questions, and ones like them, can help you begin to focus on where you might be headed – without the pressure of one single right answer.

They also help you dwell on possibility rather than ‘What’s wrong with me?’ or ‘Why can’t I figure this out?’

Start with noticing – what draws your attention, what lights you up.

Relieve yourself from the pressure of finding one right answer, and allow yourself to be curious instead.

From there, and especially with the help of a qualified coach, you can start to create a path forward – one that aligns with your values and supports your strengths, passions, and gifts.

Where will that path lead? Maybe to a different career, a new hobby, or meaningful volunteer work.

Maybe somewhere completely different.

It’s ok to not always know.

(Yes, achievers, this applies to you – and me – too. 🙂 )

You may not know now, but trust that – with a sense of curiosity and an openness to exploration – you will.

Don’t let the not-knowing hold you back from the joy of discovery!

Doors are now open for our next term of the ASPIRE Bold Goal Academy and the ASPIRE Success Club! Join one of these powerful programs while space is available!

Deciding What Matters

Christi Hegstad November 4th, 2022

Have you ever spent an entire afternoon decluttering a drawer that no one but you will ever see?

Or felt super satisfied by the smallest ‘invisible’ win – like getting all your groceries in the house in one trip? (Yes, I am also that person who will have bags all the way up my arms just to save myself an extra trip!)

I’ve spent a fair amount of time doing things no one else will ever know, or care, about.

Cleaning up inactive email addresses in my newsletter database.

Writing drafts of articles that may never see the light of day.

Dusting and reorganizing my bookshelves.

Some might ask, if it’s not seen by others, then does it matter?

(And by that standard, since I haven’t posted anything on most of my social media for nearly a year, could one argue that the vast majority of what I do doesn’t matter?)

But you know what?

Maybe if it matters to you, then it matters. Period.

If integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is looking,

maybe fulfillment is doing something important to you whether or not others see, or know, or care,

and still viewing it as time well spent.

I wholeheartedly believe in acknowledging others’ efforts and accomplishments, and giving / receiving credit where it’s due – that’s not what I’m talking about here.

But if you minimize your tiny wins or hidden achievements because ‘they don’t really matter anyway,’ I encourage you to think again.

Clearing out that drawer might actually lead to clarity on a decision you need to make or a fresh idea you want to pursue.

That little groceries-in-one-trip experience might bring a smile to your face – a smile you’ll surely pass on to someone else.

Maybe we get to decide what matters.

And maybe it all matters.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

When Are You At Your BEST?

Christi Hegstad November 3rd, 2022

When was the last time you went to bed feeling fulfilled, purposeful, and satisfied with the day?

When was the last time you went to bed feeling pretty much the opposite?

Some days are awesome, some days not so much. How do you increase the odds in your favor?

I believe this involves asking ourselves an important question:

When am I at my BEST?

From there, we can discern clues, find factors, and create environments that support more awesome days. We can’t control everything, but we don’t have to leave everything completely up to chance, either.

In the general sense, medical research has shown us we tend to feel and operate at our best when we get enough sleep, eat nutritious foods, and move our bodies.

Beyond that, I’ve discovered some factors that contribute to me, personally, feeling and operating at my best. For example:

I’m growing or learning.

My space is uncluttered.

I am practicing gratitude, either verbally or in my journal.

I have both peaceful and productive activities planned.

I’m engaging in meaningful conversation.

Those are a few of the factors that contribute to me being at my best. I try to structure my days accordingly to the extent possible. And when I’m having an ‘off’ day, I can turn to my list and see what might be missing.

When are you at your best?

Brainstorm factors that contribute to the optimum you.

Then put them into practice as much as you can.

You may soon find your awesome days starting to outweigh the rest!

Ideas And Tips For Your November Daily Challenge

Christi Hegstad November 1st, 2022

Are you setting a daily challenge for the month?

Perhaps it’s the ‘final push’ feeling before year-end, the popularity of initiatives like NaNoWriMo, or simply the shortened month; regardless, November seems to have become the time for committing to a daily challenge.

I am all for it!

Ideas For Your Daily Challenge

Place yourself at the end of the month for a moment. About what would you love to say, “I am so glad I did that every day this month!”? That’s probably the best place to start when choosing your daily challenge.

If you need ideas, though, here are some to get you started:

Daily Creation – A few paragraphs added to your book project, for example, or a few stitches added to your needlework.

Daily Stretching – This could be a 3-minute practice as you get out of bed or a brief yoga session before dinner.

Daily Connection – One November, I mailed a card a day – to my former high school teacher, a past client, a long-distant family member – and it felt fantastic on so many levels!

Daily Comment – Add a thoughtful contribution to someone’s LinkedIn post, for example.

Daily Delight – For nearly three years now, I’ve recorded a Daily Delight – essentially one meaningful or smile-producing moment per day. I started this practice in 2020 and don’t envision it ending anytime soon!

What action, if done daily for the next month, would enhance your personal or professional development? What would help you close the month feeling a sense of achievement or more fully engaged?

Tips For Success

Once you’ve decided to commit to a daily challenge, here are a few tips to successfully see it through:

Keep It Simple – You’re probably more likely to stick to something that takes just a few moments than an action that requires extensive time, planning, or coordination.

Schedule It In – Add it to your daily planner – especially at the start!

Track It – Consider creating a chart or habit tracker that you can update daily. (Several apps exist with this function as well, but I love the paper-and-pen satisfaction!)

You may also find an accountability group or partner helpful. I build regular check-in opportunities into many of my coaching engagements and group programs for this added motivation and support.

Are you feeling the pull to incorporate a daily challenge into your month? Share your commitment below so we can cheer you on!

Crowding Out The Obstacles

Christi Hegstad October 31st, 2022

For the past several years, and for a variety of reasons, I have made an effort to decrease the amount of meat I consume.

I have implemented a number of strategies to help: Finding delicious meatless recipes, for example, and experimenting with alternatives.

But do you know what has probably made the biggest difference?

Crowding it out.

Basically, I have formed the habit of filling my plate full of vegetables first. So much so, there’s hardly any room left for meat.

It’s fairly easy.

It’s still a tasty and filling meal.

I can do this whether I am dining at home or at a friend’s house.

For all of these reasons, I tend to follow through pretty well with my goal of consuming less meat.

And it’s got me thinking how we can transfer this strategy to other goals, too.

For example, want to create more original work, and look less at what other people are creating?

Maybe commit to creating first, then scrolling to see what others are doing only afterwards.

You might find you get lost in your own project, crowding out time spent worrying on what others are up to.

This ‘crowding out’ method won’t necessarily apply to all goals, and not necessarily all the time.

But it’s definitely something worth considering on the path to achievement.

How might you expand what you want more of, thereby crowding out what you want less of?

What Does Your ‘Inner Achiever’ Need?

Christi Hegstad October 30th, 2022

Different seasons of life call for different approaches to our personal growth.

I have really experienced this with one of my goals this year. What worked so well earlier in the year started feeling restrictive and discouraging by the time summer rolled around.

In times like those, is it best to persevere? Adjust our methods? Quit?

It depends, of course. But we can nearly always benefit from some reflection.

This week, ask yourself what you most need.

Consider what you want to achieve by year-end.

Does it require taking big actions, or small consistent steps?

Would it benefit from detailed tracking, or a more free-flowing approach?

Are you craving outer support and connection, or inward quiet and reflection?

Pay attention to what you need in this season, and honor it the best you can.

And if you want to hear how things are turning out with my aforementioned goal, you can read about it here!

Doors open to two powerful programs later this week – subscribe to our newsletter to get all the details!

Your Personal Monthly Review

Christi Hegstad October 27th, 2022

Do you ever reach the end of a month and wonder what you have to show for it?

If you run a business or set professional goals, you likely review your progress each month. I encourage you to adopt a similar practice for your own personal development as well.

Not sure what to assess? Here are several questions to consider:

* What wins did I experience this month?

Highlight moments, completed projects, unexpected successes – they all count!

* What challenges did I face?

Acknowledge what obstacles turned up and how you moved through them.

* What lessons did I learn?

As you scan your entire month, choose a few standout lessons you were reminded of or discovered.

* What progress did I make toward my goals?

Consider goals you’ve set for various time frames: month, quarter, year, and beyond.

* What did I read, watch, and/or listen to?

Books, blogs, podcasts, shows, YouTube videos … make note of helpful content you may wish to refer back to.

* What meaningful connections did I enjoy?

Quality time with one of your children? Coffee with a new colleague? A ‘quick dinner’ with a friend that somehow turned into five hours? Your future self will thank you for jotting these down.

* What memories did I make?

Whether a long-awaited vacation or an impromptu afternoon at the local apple orchard, don’t rely only on your brain to remember; a written record – perhaps with a photo included – will help!

* For what am I especially thankful?

Reflecting on the above questions will likely prompt some gratitudes you’d like to record as well.

Create a file or open a notebook, choose the questions that speak to you, and jot down your responses. Not only does this give you a launching point for planning your next month, it provides an opportunity to celebrate all that you’ve experienced recently as well.

And if you’re an achiever, you could probably do with a bit more celebrating before moving on to the next goal or project. 🙂

What else would you ask in a monthly review?

How To Read More

Christi Hegstad October 25th, 2022

While I’m not a big fan of labeling in general, there is one label I fully embrace:

I am, without a doubt, 100% a booknerd.

If you follow my blog or LinkedIn, you’ve probably seen my various reading wrap-ups and book reviews throughout the years. You also may know that I tend to read about 100 books each year. Back when I was active on Instagram and Facebook, I even began posting video reviews and ‘book flights.’ (I may start that up again – let me know in the comments below if you’d be interested!)

With such posts, I am frequently asked one question:

“How do you read so much?”

Today I thought I’d share a bit of what works for me. Feel free to adopt one or more of these ideas!

1. Always carry a book with you.

You never know when you’ll find a small pocket of time to read: At the dentist’s office, during a work break, while waiting for your kids to finish sports practice.

2. Designate certain reading times.

Try reading a few pages of inspiring nonfiction with your morning coffee or a fun novel before bed. A few pages here and there add up!

3. Join or start a book club.

Book clubs provide accountability, different perspectives, and often the motivation to pick up books you wouldn’t normally read.

4. Read what intrigues you.

Do you love to escape into a fantasy world? Are you fascinated by birds? Is there a historical figure or modern celebrity you find remarkably interesting? Choose books that speak to your interests.

5. Enjoy audiobooks.

I listen to audiobooks – most for free via my library’s Libby app – while walking, driving, cleaning, you name it! And I often find myself engaging in those activities even longer than I planned because I want to keep going with the story.

6. Create or join a reading challenge.

Whether a ‘bingo card’ of different books to read, a certain number of pages per week, or a few titles you commit to reading in the next year, reading challenges can be motivating – particularly for us achievers. Check my blog next week to learn about my own 2022 reading challenge and how I did / what I learned!

7. Assess your current activities.

As you think about your typical day or week, where would you like to spend less time? Consider how you might replace that activity, or a portion of it, with reading.

8. Remove or minimize obstacles.

With #7 above, ‘endless scrolling’ and other tech distractions are often the reason people give for not reading more. Experiment with closing your phone in a drawer a few times per week or leaving it in the car while you take a book into a coffee shop for an hour.

9. Track your reading.

If you follow my goal-setting work, you know I’m a firm believer that we attract what we track! Keep tabs of the days you read, the books you finish, or another action that inspires further reading.

10. Surround yourself with readers.

Many people join the ASPIRE Success Club because they want to read more. (Enrollment will open again in early November!) Check your library, local or online bookish communities, or consider ASPIRE to surround yourself with fellow readers.

11. Generate a pile of possibilities.

I’m a mood reader, so it helps to have at least a few possibilities around me from which to choose my next read. Whether it’s a physical TBR (‘to be read’) pile or a list of titles in the notes app of your phone, having some exciting books on deck can keep your reading momentum going.

12. Or generate a pile of one.

On the flip side, if a stack of possibilities feels like pressure or clutter, focus on the one at hand. You’ll learn more about your reading style and preferences the more you continue reading and exploring.

13. Buddy-read with someone.

Similar to a book club, reading a book at the same time as a friend or colleague can provide motivation, perspective, and fun discussion points along the way.

14. Browse library or bookstore shelves.

For many of us, roaming the library shelves used to be how we’d find our next picks! The internet can provide abundant possibilities, but don’t underestimate the power of freely wandering through shelves and shelves of books.

15. Begin a book discussion group in your company.

A monthly or quarterly discussion about an insightful book can build community while also expanding your team’s professional development. I facilitate these – including reading guides, discussion questions, and more – if you’re interested in bringing me into your organization.

16. Pay attention to upcoming movies.

Is there a film on the horizon that you’re excited to see? Commit to reading the book it’s based on before it comes out! I know several people who did this with Where The Crawdads Sing this summer, for example. You may be surprised how many movies are based on or inspired by books.

17. Ask for recommendations.

If you know someone who reads often or shares similar interests, ask them for a few books they’ve enjoyed. If you’re speaking to a booknerd like myself, they’ll probably spill out all kinds of titles – and be super excited about it, too!

18. Listen to book-related podcasts.

I add a lot to my TBR this way! You can find a number of bookish podcasts that offer new episodes each week, or you can do a search for a particular author and listen to them being interviewed. Like audiobooks, this is a great way to enjoy a walk or drive.

19. Watch a few booktube videos.

I’ve recently discovered booktube (book-specific content on YouTube) and, like with #18, have found a number of excellent books this way. Plus it’s just so fun to watch people light up when talking about their favorite books!

20. Determine your ‘why.’

You didn’t think I’d skip an opportunity to talk about purpose, did you? 🙂 Ask yourself why you want to read more: To expand your learning? To grow as a professional? To periodically step away from the day’s pressures and escape into a rich, well-crafted story? If it’s because you ‘should,’ you likely won’t be very motivated. If it’s for a personally resonant reason, however, you’ll probably claim the label of ‘booknerd’ yourself pretty soon!

Some of my upcoming newsletters will share my favorite nonfiction books of all time, the best books I’ve read in 2022, and more – click here to subscribe!

What other tips would you add to help people read more? Share your bookish ideas below! And happy reading, friends!

Tag Archives: coach

Ideas For Your Daily Challenge

Tips For Success