02 July is the exact midpoint of the year which means that there will be 182 days remaining of 2025. It’s also the start of Christmas, well for consumer brands and retailers at least! In my earlier corporate career, I would receive invitations to view their product launches which although fun events to attend, it was surreal being surrounded by festive decorations in the summer heat.
Now whilst you may not relish the idea of having your entire year planned (I hear you!), you may want to give yourself brain-friendly certainty in checking in with your progress so far. This will determine whether you or your team have deviated from your priority goals. No judgement here, work and life get in the way (as do colleagues, line managers, family or the CEO) and due to competing pressures on energy and time, it is easy to veer off track.
However, it is likely that the things that you thought about accomplishing this year back in January, are the aspects that will make your heart sing – and create a massive contribution to your purpose, meaning, overall satisfaction and contentment. Happiness stems from these.
So this month give yourself permission to create an appointment and block it out in your calendar (if gets scheduled, it gets done!). This is where you can enjoy some time without interruptions or distractions and think about the last six months, plus, celebrate and envision the rest of the year. How much time you allow is, of course, up to you. However, if this type of reflection is not a regular weekly and monthly habit that you enjoy, you may wish to spend longer than you first thought.
By doing this check-in now you can increase your awareness of any obstacles or impediments to your current areas of focus. You can also consider what, if anything, needs to change and ask for the help that you need to ensure that you are set up for success for the rest of the year.
It is also an opportunity to break down big result goals into more manageable process targets for the weeks ahead. Doing this will help to avoid overwhelming your brain. You will find you are much more likely to start something if you can see the end in sight. Dopamine will be released at the anticipation of that action ticked off, so conspire to work with your brain, rather than against it.
Here are 11 coaching questions to generate mid-year reflection:
What am I most proud of so far this year?
What have I enjoyed most, personally and professionally?
What would I like to celebrate?
Where have I stepped out of my comfort zone?
On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied do I feel about the year so far?
Considering my top 5 values, how has my calendar reflected these?
What do I want the rest of this year to be about?
What is one habit that supports my happiness (or success) I would like to establish, or continue?
What area(s) of my life (and/or work) will benefit from more focus and attention?
What do I want to be celebrating in September? In December?
What support or expertise do I need to make this happen?
Happy reflecting – and planning!
Here’s to your continued success for the second half of the year!