It’s hard to believe, but we’re already halfway through the year. For many of us, the first six months have been a whirlwind of meetings, projects, and goals—some achieved, others sidelined. If you’ve been pushing hard, juggling business and personal life, or managing a growing team (like I do with my 15 employees), it’s time to pause.
Welcome to your Mid-Year Review.
This isn’t just about checking off tasks or beating yourself up for what’s unfinished. It’s about honest reflection, thoughtful adjustment, and strategic planning so you can finish the year stronger and more focused.
Why a Mid-Year Review Matters
We often hear about annual goal-setting, but breaking the year into smaller chunks allows us to stay agile. A mid-year review:
- Provides clarity on what’s working and what’s not
- Prevents burnout by recalibrating expectations
- Boosts motivation with fresh focus and renewed purpose
- Improves time management by eliminating distractions
Think of it like tuning a car halfway through a long journey—you want to make sure everything’s running smoothly before you hit the gas again.
How to Conduct Your Mid-Year Review in 5 Steps
1. Reflect on Your Wins and Lessons
Celebrate what went well—no matter how small. Maybe you successfully delegated tasks to your team or finally stuck to your morning routine. Then, look at what didn’t work and why. Avoid blame. Instead, ask, “What can I learn from this?”
2. Revisit Your Goals
Pull out your annual goals. Are they still relevant? Have your priorities shifted? It’s okay to pivot. The key is to stay aligned with your core values and business vision.
3. Audit Your Time
Review how you actually spent your time in the past six months. Use calendar data, time-tracking apps, or even a simple journal. Are your daily habits supporting your goals? Are there recurring distractions or time drains?
4. Reset Your Focus
Based on what you’ve learned, set clear, achievable priorities for the next six months. Consider theme days, time blocking, or delegating more to your team to protect your focus.
5. Plan Your Self-Care
Productivity isn’t sustainable without rest. Schedule regular breaks, unplug times, and activities that recharge you mentally and physically.
Tools That Help Me Stay on Track
Running a business and coaching full-time means I need systems that work—for me and my team. Here’s what I rely on:
- Time-blocked calendars to protect deep work and meetings
- Weekly planning sessions every Sunday to align priorities
- Async communication tools like Slack to reduce unnecessary meetings
- A productivity course I created on Coursera to help overwhelmed professionals build better habits (Check it out here)
Your Turn: Start Your Mid-Year Review Today
Take 30 minutes this week. Grab a notebook or your favorite app and answer these:
- What am I proud of so far this year?
- What drained my energy and focus?
- What are 3 priorities for the rest of the year?
- What’s one habit I want to start, stop, or change?
Small shifts lead to big results.
Remember: Productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most.
If you want a step-by-step guide, templates, and accountability to make your mid-year review stick, my Udemy course on Productivity and Time Management is designed for you.
Here’s to finishing the year strong!
Elena
Time Management & Financial Wellness Coach
elenamanole.com // info@elenamanole.com