Mid-Year Check-In: A Practical Guide to Reassess, Realign, and Reignite Your Goals

The six R words you need to remember to close out this year strong

Aug 05, 2024

Happy August my dearest Optimisers!

The year is halfway through, and now is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. As high-achieving folks, we often set ambitious goals at the start of the year. But as life happens, priorities shift, and our initial plans might need a bit of tweaking. If there’s one thing I’ve actually prioritised this year, it’s making arrangements to pause, rest and reflect on how the year has gone so far.

A mid-year check-in is a powerful tool to ensure that you stay on track, make necessary adjustments, and reignite your passion for what you set out to achieve. It’s also a great opportunity for you to focus on the good as well as the bad. When I pulled out my annual goals for myself and started tracking against how well I was doing, I was actually pleasantly surprised to find I wasn’t too far off. Adjusting for the fact that life happens sometimes, I was actually proud of the dent I had made in my life in quite a few areas.

If you’re finding it difficult to know where, when, and how to conduct a mid-year check-in - you’ve definitely come to the right place.

Here’s how to conduct a practical and effective mid-year check-in that aligns with your personal growth and high-performance aspirations.

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1. Reflect: Reflect on the First Half of the Year

Start by taking a moment to reflect on your journey so far. Ask yourself:

What were my goals at the beginning of the year?
Which goals have I achieved, and which ones have fallen by the wayside?
What challenges did I face, and how did I overcome them?

I had the goal of losing a little bit of weight I had put on at the beginning of the year. I was pleased to find I had actually surpassed this goal, which meant my goal for the year has now changed. It also warranted a little bit of celebration with a day off and some cake.

I had the goal of reaching a specific investing amount per month - I was doing okay, but my choice to prioritise travelling in the first half of the year has meant that sacrifices needed to be made to invest in those experiences. I’ll need to remain in the country just a little bit longer in the next few months if I want to completely hit my target.

This reflection isn’t about criticising yourself but about gaining clarity on what worked, what didn’t, and why. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small, and acknowledge the lessons learned from any setbacks.

2. Reevaluate: Reevaluate Your Goals

Our goals should evolve as we do. As you review your progress, consider whether your original goals still resonate with you. Ask yourself:

Do these goals still align with my current priorities and values?
Is there a goal I need to let go of because it no longer serves me?
Are there new opportunities or areas of growth that I should pursue?

It’s okay to pivot. Sometimes, letting go of a goal is a sign of growth, not failure.

3. Realign: Realign Your Game Plan Strategy

Once you’ve reevaluated your goals, it’s time to realign your strategy. How are you proactively working towards your goal? Have you asked yourself the following question:

What’s working well, and how can I build on that?
What obstacles are holding me back, and how can I address them?
Do I need to adjust my timeline, resources, or approach to be more realistic?

Break down your goals into smaller, actionable steps that you can integrate into your daily routine. This will make your goals feel more achievable and keep you motivated.

4. Reignite: Reignite Your Motivation

Staying motivated over the long term can be challenging, especially when life gets busy. Trust me, when it came to really honing in on my goals on some days, I struggled to get out of bed. It’s hard to spend time working on your side hustles when you finish work at 7pm. It’s hard to want to show up for your friends and family when you are just about making it.

To reignite that passion you had in January, reconnect with your “why.” Why did you set these goals in the first place? Make sure your goals are easy to access so that you can see them or pull them out when you need to. Surround yourself with inspiration. Whether it’s reading books, listening to podcasts, or connecting with like-minded people, find sources of inspiration that keep you focused and energised.

5. Refresh: Refresh Your Plan for the Next Five Months

With renewed clarity and motivation, it’s time to create a roadmap for the rest of the year. There’s a lot of different ways to get to a destination - what you want is the quickest, and most efficient, way to get there. This is not the time to take the scenic route.

To refresh your strategy for the next five months, use the SMART technique to refine your annual goals. It’s one of my absolutely favourite frameworks to smashing my yearly targets.

🖊 Start by making sure your goals are Specific, clearly defining what you want to achieve.

📊 Make it Measurable by setting criteria to track progress, such as milestones or key performance indicators.

💼 Keep it Achievable by assessing the resources and time available, ensuring the goal is within reach.

✅ Ensure it's Relevant, aligning with your long-term vision and current priorities.

⏰ Finally and definitely not least, make it Time-bound by setting a clear deadline or timeline, which in this case, is the end of the year.

6. Reconnect: Reconnect With Accountability and Support

I cannot stress how important it is to share your goals with other people. I know we have been taught to hold our pearls close to our chest. But, sometimes there are limitations to what we can see about ourselves. Sometimes it’s especially helpful to have someone who cares about you, to shine a light on your blindspots. Even better - they may have experience, expertise or perspectives that can only serve to make things better.

If you have not already, share your goals with a trusted friend, mentor, or accountability partner who can offer support and encouragement. Regular check-ins with this person can help you stay committed and provide valuable perspective when challenges arise.

💥 Summary:

Reflect: Reflect on the First Half of the Year
Reevaluate: Reevaluate Your Goals
Realign: Realign Your Game Plan Strategy
Reignite: Reignite Your Motivation
Refresh: Refresh Your Plan for the Next Six Months
Reconnect: Reconnect With Accountability and Support

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A mid-year check-in isn’t just about productivity; it’s about ensuring that you’re moving forward with purpose and intention. By taking the time to reflect, reassess, and realign, you empower yourself to finish the year strong, with goals that truly reflect your aspirations and values.

Remember, this journey is yours. You have the power to redefine your goals and create a path that leads to your version of success.

Here’s to a focused, fulfilling, and fabulous second half of the year. 🌱