I know that it seems like it was yesterday that you created your goals and mapping your way through the new territory of this year looking at what was possible for you in 2013. Now we’re approaching the midyear point (July 1st). If you are a regular reader, you’ll remember my article from the end of the first quarter and the football game analogy I used in reference to the end of the first quarter. Well now it’s half time.
During half time in a football game, the coach reviews for the team the fumbles, touchdowns, dropped passes, and diving tackles. In that short 12 minutes, they look at what they’ve done so far, the good, the bad and the ugly, so that they can regroup, move forward and win the game.
So now, it’s your half time. Take 12 minutes to step off the field to see how you’ve done so far. Looking back at the last 6 months what do you see? Where have you fumbled the ball or dropped passes? Which goals had you anticipated completing by this point in time? Are you on point with them? If not, you have to ask, “Why not?” Maybe you’re not allowing enough time for the tasks that need to be completed, or maybe they aren’t making it to your calendar or to-do list. You might need to develop a few new habits or incorporate new tools to shore you up in your day-to-day activities. Be fair with your assessment and above all else honest with yourself. Look at what’s incomplete, reassess the process and determine what to do to move forward.
That’s the bad and the ugly stuff. It’s really important to look at the good. What things did you tackle and how many field goals and touch downs have you made so far? Look at your 2013 goals to see which ones you’ve completed. Celebrate your accomplishments! They don’t have to be big celebrations, but celebrate in some way, shape or form. It acknowledges your accomplishments and helps fuel you forward. Also be sure to celebrate reaching milestones within major goals that aren’t yet complete.
Once that’s done you need to create your plan for the rest of the game. For each of the things that you haven’t yet completed, you’ve asked yourself what happened and why each is not complete. Now it’s time to measure where you are based upon the milestones that you initially created. Determine what you need to do to fill any existing gaps. Maybe there are additional resources that you need to help get it done. Did you anticipate everything that you needed to support you in accomplishing what you projected? Were any resources not as helpful as you imagined they would be, and, what resources do you need to get you through the rest of the year? It’s possible that dates need to be changed so that you have enough time to achieve a particular goal. For other goals that aren’t due to be completed yet, which milestones should have been reached at this point in the year? You’ll also want to take a look at the goals that you’re going to begin working on soon. Which goals are you due to start working on this month and in the months to follow? Is there anything new you want to add to the mix and are you going to be able to start on time?
Use this midyear point to assess where you are, determine what’s necessary, regroup and move forward into the rest of the year focused on winning the game.