Mid-year reset: Five ways to get back on track

We are now halfway through the year. What key changes did you have in mind for this year? Where do you stand right now? From July to December, what are the big decisions you want to make?

Taking yourself towards the next phase of your life requires energy:

• energy to recognise that you may not be in a great place
• energy to assess what could help you move forward
• energy to put a plan together
• energy to put the plan into action.

To sustain this energy, you may need strong motivation. It’s like reaching the top of a mountain you’ve been climbing for days: looking back at how far you have come can provide a deep sense of accomplishment. How would you like to feel when you look back on your progress in December?

Everyone’s circumstances are different, and climbing the Himalayas in flip-flops would be quite a challenge. That is why it helps to prepare and equip yourself.

Five tips to help you get back on track

I invite you to put these into action.

1. Assess your current situation

You may already have some idea of where you want to be by the end of the year. If not, you might want to take some quiet time and think about what you would love to celebrate in six months.

Once you have an idea, consider where you are right now. Understanding your starting point can help you assess your next step.

• What achievements are you proudest of since January?
• What has recently distracted you from what you wanted to achieve?
• What have you achieved that was unexpected?
• When did you feel things were not going as expected?
• What is your overall level of energy right now: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually?

Look honestly at your current situation. Your choices and actions may have contributed to where you are, but your circumstances may also have been shaped by events outside your control. Now that you have a clearer picture, you can begin refining your plan.

2. Adjust your plan – know what you want

A few months ago, I was reflecting on the progress of my own coaching practice. Developing as a coach takes many skills. You need to be an attentive listener and a powerful communicator. For me, doing both simultaneously can be a challenge. I quickly returned to this central question: how much do I want to become one of the best coaches I can be, and what am I prepared to do to develop?

So, my question to you is this: what do you want to achieve by December? Seriously, what would you like to achieve within the next six months? Take a minute to gain some clarity.

Once you are clearer about what you want, return to point one and assess your current situation. You are now looking at the map between where you are and where you want to be.

Something that appears complicated may become more manageable when you examine it, while something that appears easy may require more preparation than expected. Planning can be valuable, but progress also requires appropriate action.

3. Get into action

You may be reading this because you feel you need a prompt to get back on track. Reflection and planning matter, but at some point you will need to take action. Here are a few ways to get started:

• Make a conscious decision to do less. Ask yourself: “What could I stop doing?” Declutter your life for the next two weeks and refocus on what matters most. If you have too much on your plate, consider whether you have taken on too much or whether some demands can be postponed, shared or removed. It may be time to rebalance your commitments and reconsider activities that no longer serve a clear purpose.
• Focus on the present. When you walk an unfamiliar path, you pay attention to each step to make sure you are progressing safely. Giving your attention to the task in front of you may support better decisions and more consistent progress. When your thoughts wander into the past or future, gently return your attention to what you can do now.
• Take small steps. Progress can begin with one manageable action. What could you do after finishing this article?

4. Assess your progress

Assessing your progress can help you understand what is working and what may need to change.

If you want to run a marathon in under four hours, you will need to monitor your training and pace. If you want to attend an important meeting at 9 am tomorrow, you will need to plan the practical steps that will help you arrive on time. If you want to achieve something by the end of the year, it can help to establish checkpoints along the way.

This could take the form of weekly conversations with someone who supports you and holds you accountable. You might work towards a goal with someone else so that you have company along the way. You could also use a journal to record the actions you have taken and how things are progressing.

Checking your progress is not only about pushing yourself harder. It may also show that your plan, timescale or goal needs to change.

5. Consider additional support

If you are serious about making a change, consider what support or resources might help you.

A suitable coach may help you notice perspectives or patterns that are difficult to identify alone. They can support you in exploring barriers, fears and possible actions while providing accountability as you work towards your goal.

Coaching is not essential for everyone, and the decision to work with a coach does not determine how committed you are. You may also find useful support through a friend, mentor, colleague, course or professional adviser. The important thing is to identify the kind of support that suits your goal and circumstances.