The first question you’re probably wondering is what the heck is a mid-year refresh? And why does it need to be meaningful? Let’s start with the basics. We’re half way through the year. {How did that happen so fast?!} The ideas and plans you had in January for what 2021 would look like are all over the place. Some you crushed, others, not so much.

That’s why taking time to do a meaningful mid-year refresh is so important! This is an opportunity to pause. Take a look at what is working. What is not working. What priorities have shifted. And what new things have popped up. The refresh is your opportunity to change your plans. And if last year is any indication, changing plans happens! {If you missed the story, you can catch up on how I rewrote my 2020 goals mid-year on this blog post.}

Fortunately, 2021 is looking a bit different! This year, I won’t be rewriting any of my goals. But I will be recommitting to a few that I have been ignoring. If you’re ready to take a fresh look at your goals, follow along with my four step goal refresh routine.

Step 1: Rate your progress so far

Before we determine how we’re going to spend the next six months, we have to take a look at how the first six months went. Write down each goal, dream, or idea, you set back in January. The first step is to give each goal a progress rating using a scale of 1 to 5. A one is “I’ve done nothing.” A five is “I completed this goal.” Assigning a rating to each goal gives me perspective about what needs the most attention.

The second part of step 1 is to consider if the goal is still important. Our priorities change. New things come up that we weren’t expecting. Completing a mid-year refresh gives us the opportunity, and the permission, to adjust what needs adjusting

So, we start with the goal with the lowest score. Consider if this goal is still important. If it is, I will move to step 2. If the goal is no longer important, it’s okay to decide not to pursue it any further. You can hold on to it for another time in life. Or you can decide this goal just isn’t right for you anymore.

A goal that gets a 5 and is completed is a reason to celebrate! {If you need inspiration for how to celebrate, check out my five favorite ways!}

Wondering what a “normal” rating is for a goal mid-way through the year? First of all, there is no right or wrong rating. Typically, if I’ve been making steady progress, most of my goals will get a rating of three or four.

Step 2: Rewrite the goal {if needed}

Before I rewrite a goal, I ask myself why I set this goal in the first place. I get clear on the purpose of the goal. I envision what I expected my world to look like when I achieved the goal. This helps me realize how the goal needs to shift.

Sometimes a goal still fits! And no rewrite is necessary.

Step 3: Brainstorm new steps to make progress on each goal

The same questions I answered in Step 2 also helps me brainstorm steps for my goals.

• What will my world look like when I achieve this goal?
• What will change because I pursued this goal?
• What will I have learned?
• Why is this goal important to me?

Every goal typically has between 2 and 4 steps. A step is the actual thing I am going to do that gets me closer to my goal. For example, I set a goal to establish a long-term financial plan and best practices. The first step was to pay off my debt. I was able to complete that step by March. Now, in the second half of the year, the step I am focused on is to build a budget {and stick to it!}

The most important thing to remember when brainstorming is do not worry about the how or the when. Write down everything that comes to mind. Do not limit yourself. Brainstorming is all about ideas. The bigger and crazier the better! Step four is when I actually decide what to do.

Step 4: Pick your focus for the next 30 days.

The last step in my mid-year refresh is to decide what I am going to focus on for the next 30 days. I start by looking at my calendar to see what appointments and commitments are already set. Then I fill in coaching calls and client meetings. Once I have these two big pieces mapped out, I can see how much time I actually have to work on my goals. I break down the big goal into weekly and daily tasks.

For example, my step to build a budget includes several tasks. The first task is to review the manage money tool available in my online banking. Second is to load all my accounts to that online tool. I will schedule the final task for the end of the month, review all my transactions to ensure they were categorized correctly.

What do I have at the end of my mid-year refresh?

• A clear picture of what I accomplished in the first six months
• Rewritten goals that make sense for the second half of the year
• Specific steps I need to take over the next six months
• A to-do list of tasks scheduled for the next 30 days to continue to make meaningful progress

So go grab a fresh cup of coffee, your notebook, and settle down for a meaningful mid-year refresh of your goals! Give yourself 30 minutes of focused time. By the end, you will feel energized and ready to tackle the second half of 2021!