Mid-Year Resolutions
While January is typically the month for hats, horns, and hopes of change for the new year, July is also a wonderful time to slow down, take stock and determine what you’d like to work on, change or enjoy during the second half of the year. You never have to wait until January 1 to make a change, make headway, or make a new (or renewed) resolution! Following are some tips for making—and keeping—mid-year resolutions:
• Pick one or two goals, not 10 or 20. As you probably know, when you try to do 14 things at once, it’s a lot less effective than when you focus on just one. What do you really want to dive into over the next six months? If you reach your goal early, you can always move on to the next one.
• Make it meaningful. If your heart isn’t in your “repaint the kids’ rooms” resolution, then it’s probably not going to happen (or not going to be pretty when it does). Make your mid-year resolution(s) meaningful to you—something that really sparks your passion and interest.
• Check in. Whether it’s once a day, once a week, or once a month, keep track of your progress. First of all, it feels great to note what you’ve accomplished and, secondly, it keeps you accountable. You can track miles run, volunteer hours logged, closets cleaned, or anything else that helps you track your milestones.
• Celebrate. You can celebrate both baby steps and big steps, but it’s crucial to recognize the progress you make, whether with a special meal, an extra hour of downtime, or a new pair of shoes.
