Mid-Year Goal Setting

We're already more than halfway through the year. Can you believe it? 

It seems like just yesterday we were bringing in the new year, talking about how to do a mid-year brand check-in, how to end your year-end marketing on a solid note, and setting new small business marketing goals for the year to come.

Like most people, you probably started this year with a list of resolutions or goals, whether personal or for your business. But the question is, will you begin the following year with a fresh set of goals, or will you repeat the same ones from the prior year?

The year's halfway point is an excellent time to think back and reflect on where you're currently at and how far you've come. It's also an ideal time to start thinking about your brand, whether it's conveying the message you'd hoped for and whether you are still on track to meet the goals you set at the beginning of the year. 

And if you want to ensure that you're on the right path to bring in the new year in a kick-butt kind of way, you'll want to ask yourself the following ten thought-provoking questions (grab a pen and notepad, you're going to need it):

The year's halfway point is an excellent time to think back and reflect on where you're currently at and how far you've come.

1. What were my goals at the beginning of this year?

If you wrote them down, go back and revisit that list. If you didn't write them down, think about what you told yourself you wanted to achieve and where you wanted to be by the end of the year.

2. Are my goals the same, or have things changed?

Do you still wish to reach the same goals, or has something changed in your life that makes those goals no longer desirable or achievable? Do you need to readjust your goals to fit your current circumstances?

3. Is there something I've been doing lately that no longer serves me or no longer feels "right" anymore? 

Do I need to keep doing that thing? What would happen if you stopped doing that thing? How would it affect you (or your business)?

4. What's something I'm sick of hearing myself say repeatedly? 

What is something that you frequently say but never gets resolved? For example, "I really need to start... " or, "I really need to stop... " or, "Seriously, this week I will..."

5. What's something that I definitely want to create, achieve, or experience before the end of this year?

If you didn't determine this at the beginning of the year or have developed a new interest, write it down now. Then ask what steps you need to take to make it happen.

6. Who are some people I feel jealous of right now, and why? 

What do those people have (or appear to have) that I want? How will having the same thing(s) change your life?

7. Who has been an essential part of my life this year?

Whether it is a fantastic friend, mentor, or colleague, how have they played a role in your life this year? Have you said "thank you" to that person (or people) recently?

8. What's something I see in the world that breaks my heart? 

What is something that you could do, say, create, or contribute to be a part of the solution to that problem?

9. Fill in the blank: "This year, one of the best decisions I've made is _______."

What is a decision that has made a positive difference and that you are proud of yourself for making? Seriously, think about it and write it down.

10. Lastly, fill in the blank: "This year, I feel proud of myself because _______."

Seriously write this one down too! Think about all of the accomplishments that you have made thus far and how much it has changed you. Then, pat yourself on the back.

Taking just 10 minutes to think about and jot down the answers to the above will help you realize how far you've come and bring clarity and purpose to your actions over the next six months. You may even want to answer these questions twice: Once for your personal goals and one for your small business goals.

At the end of the year, you will be in a much better place to set new goals for the following year and create a solid game plan to reach them!