A sudden realization hits while flipping the page of our calendar from June to July, that 6 months have passed and time quickly flew by. How did this realization make you feel? Have you stuck to the resolutions you made in the beginning of the year or are you yet to accomplish them?
Mid-year is the perfect time to take a pause to reflect on the past 6 months and refocus on the future. It’s always good to look back and analyse so you can learn from your mistakes and celebrate your success, eliminate hurdles, and make a difference in the upcoming 6 months.
However, there is something special about calendar transitions like mid-year and new-year that gets in our heads and makes us all more reflective and more amenable to stepping back, taking stock, and making changes. Reflection is a quick recap of how the past 6 months went by, what worked and what didn't!
Here are some questions to help you reflect the last 6 months and how you can make the best of the next 6 months. Try to take a half hour this week to journal about the following questions. (Really! Open up your calendar right now and schedule when you'll do this!)It's time to rethink, reconnect & restart.
Looking Backward: Reflection Questions
1. What word would you use to sum up the year so far?
Choose a word that resonates with your personal journey and set the tone for the months to come.
2. What did I accomplish in the past 6 months of 2023?
Take a moment to celebrate your achievements, big or small. Acknowledge the progress you've made and the milestones you've reached.
3. What did I discover about myself?
Reflect on the self-discoveries you've made along the way. Explore how you've grown, what brings you joy, and what truly matters to you.
4. What are my 3 significant lessons learned?
Identify the lessons that have shaped your journey so far. Reflect on the insights gained and how they have influenced your personal growth.
5. How did my goals align with my achievements?
Compare the goals you set at the beginning of the year with what you have accomplished. Assess where adjustments may be needed and celebrate the alignment between intention and outcome.
6. What are the things I am grateful for?
Take a moment to express gratitude for the blessings, experiences, and relationships that have enriched your life. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
Let’s take this mid-year reset as an opportunity to begin anew. Take this time to learn from the past, and plan for a future filled with purpose and growth. Remember, it's never too late to start. Where you are a year from now is a reflection of your choices you choose to make right now.
Looking Forward: Reset Questions
1. What wasn't working that needs attention?
Identify any areas that have hindered your progress or held you back. Take steps to address and overcome these obstacles.
2. What do I want more of and what do I want less of?
Consider the elements that bring you joy, fulfilment, and peace. Determine what you want to invite into your life and what you need to let go of.
3. How can I prioritise self-care for the rest of the year?
Self-care goes beyond pampering oneself. It involves nurturing our physical, mental, and emotional health. Ask yourself how you can integrate more self-care into your daily routine.
4. What are my opportunities and risks?
Explore the opportunities that lie ahead. Assess the potential risks involved and strategize how to navigate them while maximising your chances of success.
5. Do I need to modify my goals?
Revisit your goals and reassess their relevance and feasibility. Adjust them if necessary to align with your evolving priorities and aspirations.
6. What are the three steps I can take to bring my vision into reality?
Break down your goals into actionable steps. Identify three practical actions you can take to make progress and bring your vision to life.
Here's a free printable to help you plan the second half of 2023. Use this mind map to plan and visualise the next 6 months.
- Use the blank space to visualise how you want different areas of your life like finance, career, health and fitness etc.
- Use short phrases for topics and their definitions. Short phrases not only make mind mapping easy but also help you to remember things with ease.
- Play with colour and images. Design your mind map however you want! Using colours will help you differentiate between the topics!
- Keep your mind map simple and easy to understand.
