“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream.” - C.S. Lewis
My brother and I are two and a half years apart, to the day.
Growing up, we would always celebrate our half birthdays. I imagine this half-birthday celebration was my parents' way to avoid an avalanche of jealous tears when one of us got all the birthday love. They're pretty clever that way.
Whatever the reason, it worked, and to this day, I like to celebrate my “half birthday”. Instead of gifts (though, I like those, too!) grown-up me likes to acknowledge my half-year mark with a check-in on my yearly goals and intentions (for real).
This week, we turned the calendar page into July, meaning we're officially halfway through the year (I know, crazy). You could say it's 2017's "half birthday".
Just like birthdays, the first of the year gets all sorts of celebration and hullabaloo, but July somehow seems to get a little left out. Something tells me many of the goals and resolutions that were made at the start of the year have been forgotten as well.
If research is anything to go by, I’m not too far off. Did you know that only 8% of people who make New Year's resolutions actually achieve them? That's a 92% failure rate! (stats from Jack Canfield's, The Success Principles)
That's why this year I'm taking my childhood tradition and using it as inspiration to celebrate 2017's "half birthday". Half birthday or halfway through the year, it's a great time to check in and give our goals some attention.
I know goal setting isn’t anything new or revelatory. You've probably heard all about the power of setting goals. But, like so many things, just because we know it's good for us, doesn't mean we're actually doing it.
Unfortunately, just thinking about goals doesn't count. Just like eating our greens and sweating it out, goals only work if we work them. I don’t know about you, but I have yet to master the art of just thinking about working out and seeing the results.
If my pep talk isn’t enough, is making more money a goal-setting incentive?
Consider this: studies show that less than 4 percent of Americans write down their goals and review them regularly. That 4 percent of people who do write down and review their goals regularly? They earn nine times more money over the course of their lives! (stats from Jack Canfield's, The Success Principles)
Goals might not be flashy or sexy, but they work. When we set goals consistently and show up to meet them, they can create magic.
There’s a bit of method to the goal-setting madness. I like to start any goal or intention setting with a little time to review, reflect, and celebrate.
Want to join me in some July "half-birthday" goal-setting fun?
Take a moment and reflect on the last half of this year. How are you doing on any goals or resolutions you set for yourself in January? Is there anything you’ve let slide that you want to refocus on and recommit to?
No judgments! You can make new goals and resolutions at any time. You don't have wait until next January.
Now take a moment to notice all of the small wins you’ve had over the last six months. What steps have you taken or accomplished that are celebration-worthy? Give yourself a moment to notice and appreciate what you have done.
We’re often quick to beat ourselves up about what we’re slacking on. But it's paying attention to our wins and giving ourselves a pat on the back for the progress we make that creates a positive mindset and can rewire our brain to seek more success.
Now that you're feeling the positive juju, make your goals for the next half of the year from this headspace.
I’m a bit of a goal-setting nerd. I make weekly and monthly goals (and daily goals, and goals for my goals…). If you want to play along and are ready to crush the second half of this year, let me set you up for success.
I’ve got you covered with a weekly and monthly goal-setting PDF below:
Click here to access your FREE goal-setting PDFs
This week, I want to encourage you to keep your eye on the big goals -your dreams - and to break those down into simple monthly and weekly steps.
Consider this equation from Darren Hardy in The Compound Effect:
Small, smart choices + consistency + time = radical difference
When set with intention, goals can be pretty darn powerful. Life changing even.
I’ll be back next week to see how you did, and I’ll share some goal-setting how-to's because not all goals are created equal.
Happy half-year celebrating and goal setting!
Wishing you your version of success,
P.S. What wins from the first half of the year are you celebrating? What new goals are you setting? Let me know in the comments below!
