Mid-Year Check In
Can you believe that we are halfway through 2024 already?? 🤯
How’s it going so far? 🤷♀️
If you’re anything like me, there have been some moments to treasure and savor, AND if we’re being honest, there have been some experiences that I’d rather erase.
But rather than just turn the calendar into this “second half,” put my head down and plow ahead, I’m choosing to pause, review, and “re-calibrate.”
One way I’m doing that is by looking at the past 6 months through the lens of my “word of the year.”
Remember that word of the year you set back in January? Yeah, it’s time to dust it off…
(And if you didn’t set a word for this year, you might want to think about a resolution you set for yourself or a goal you wanted to achieve.)
My word of the year was “enjoy.” I shared a lot about what this means to me and why I chose it back in January. I hoped it would help me adjust my mindset (and maybe some of my actions and choices) professionally, personally, and spiritually.
There have definitely been times when I’ve remembered this word and allowed it to guide me into a different mindset and emotional state. Early in the year, I took on a challenging project in my business, and in the midst of the long hours and really hard work, I reminded myself to enjoy it… and it helped. I’ve also had some wonderful moments with my family and friends when I’ve been able to set aside distractions and work, be fully present and enjoy the experience.
Last week, I fully lived this word. I facilitated an extended track for eight people at the Creative Problem Solving Institute called “Real Focus for Your Life.” I used one of my favorite tools (The REALIFE Process®) to help them get clear about who they are and how they want to live so that they can move forward with productivity and purpose. I enjoyed leading that session so much!
To add even more enjoyment to my week, on Thursday evening, I gathered with old friends for a reunion of those who’d participated in the Christian Leadership Institute here in Buffalo. It was an evening to celebrate the impact that friendships, faith, and leadership have had on our lives. I’m not sure when I’ve last had a week that brought such satisfaction and joy!
Having those experiences last week takes the edge off my very honest admission that there have been plenty of times this year that I’ve lost sight of enjoyment. I haven’t managed my workload as well as I’d like, and I’ve missed more than a few opportunities to enjoy the work itself and to enjoy life outside of work. In those moments, when I remember the desires that led me to this guiding word this year, I cringe a bit.
And then I pick my head up again.
And I remind myself that having some misses don’t make this a waste. I recall the “gain” and think of the times when I did lean into this guiding word. I remember that I have some tools to help me pause, review, and re-calibrate for the next six months. I’m re-committing to my word because I’m certain there’s more enjoy this year!
It's also good for me to remember that the point was never to be perfect on living out this word. The point was to let this word guide my growth. And it’s certainly done that!
But how about you?
If you chose a word for the year, here are some questions that you might want to reflect on or journal about:
How has that word guided me this year?
When have I leaned into the invitation it had for me?
When might I have missed the chance to live that word more fully?
What am I learning about myself? How am I growing?
How do I plan (or hope) to live into that word in the coming 6 months?
If “word of the year” isn’t your thing, I’ll invite you to call to mind a goal or hope you had for this year, and reflect on these questions:
How am I doing with that goal?
What am I learning about myself this year (especially in relation to that goal)?
What do I hope to accomplish toward that goal in the next 6 months?
Who or what do I need to support me in accomplishing that goal?
And if you’ve set neither a word nor a goal, I hope you’ll take just a few moments at this halfway mark to reflect on these past six months (what’s happened, what you’ve learned, how you’ve grown or changed) and consider the next six months (what would you like to see happen in your life?).
We can float through life and drift where circumstances take us, or we can lead our lives, and move with purpose. No, we can’t control the outcomes and certain circumstances can throw us off course, but a vision, direction, or goal can help us navigate the waters with intentionality. What intention are you setting for the second half of this year?
As always, I’m happy to come alongside – for a little or for a while – if you need some help assessing where you are, figuring out where you’d like to go, and developing the confidence and clarity to take those steps. Just reach out for a chat… I’d truly enjoy it!
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