Why Should We Do Our Own Mid-Year Check-In?

Even though we’re past the midpoint of the year, there’s still plenty of time to reflect, recalibrate, and make meaningful progress towards our 2024 goals. They say that just 100 days is often enough to master something new, and with over 140 days remaining this year, there’s still a significant opportunity to achieve something meaningful! That’s why, even if this post about ‘Mid-Year Check-In’ might seem a little late, I decided to share it now, hoping it can benefit others as much as it has helped me this year.

If you’re looking to regain focus and momentum, keep reading—I trust you won’t be disappointed.

Why Should We Do Our Own Mid-Year Check-In?

When discussing productivity, efficiency, and organisation, I often draw upon my experiences from the corporate world, where I spent a significant portion of my adult life. This time, I’m sharing a concept I learned there that remains valuable, even as I navigate life outside corporate structures: the “mid-year check-in” or “mid-year review”.

If you work (or worked) in a corporation or a large firm, you’re likely familiar with the various tools used to gauge progress at the individual level and motivate employees to align with both personal and company goals. Whether these tools are effective is debatable, but today, I want to focus on the mid-year review—a practice I find particularly useful, especially now that I’m managing my own projects.

What is a Mid-Year Check-In?

For those unfamiliar, a mid-year check-in in the corporate world is a formal evaluation conducted midway through the fiscal or calendar year. It serves as an opportunity for employees and managers to assess progress towards goals, celebrate achievements, identify areas for improvement, and set objectives for the rest of the year. This process helps ensure alignment with the company’s strategic direction and offers a chance to make adjustments before the more comprehensive end-of-year review.

Why is it Worth Applying This Concept to Your Personal Life?

Applying this concept to your personal life can be incredibly beneficial. Many of us set many New Year’s resolutions, yet according to some studies, 88 percent of people abandon them within the first two weeks (if you cannot squeeze in your favourite gym classes in January, just wait for February to be back on track). Hence, a personal mid-year review gives you a structured opportunity to reflect on the first half of your year, assess progress towards your goals, acknowledge accomplishments, and identify areas for improvement. This practice can realign your focus and renew your motivation, giving you the clarity and purpose needed to make the most of the remaining months.

This Year’s Mid-Year Check-In Was Crucial for Me

I performed my first mid-year check-in since my burnout this June, and the excitement I felt was palpable, similar to the level of anxiety I had when preparing for a meeting with my boss back in the days. I realised that, first, I needed to summarise what have I actually done this year so far, and second, by honestly assessing my progress create a solid plan, so I could achieve tangible results by the end of the year. Over the past months, I’ve been dedicated (or sometimes just mentally dedicated) to improving my skills, taking online courses, and creating content on Instagram for two accounts as my learner and creative fulfilment. Yet, I felt something was missing (maybe a structure to my own proper business model?). The review not only made me aware that I still have ample time to refine my approach and achieve my goals but made me aware that I actually have to do it, and the time is now. One of my key decisions was to start this blog, which I hope you’ll enjoy!

A Little Guidance…

So, I really do encourage you to conduct your own mid-year check-in. And if you’re unsure how to do it, here’s a guide based on what I did. It’s not too late to start!

Step 1: Reflect on Initial Goals

Write down the goals you set at the beginning of the year. If you didn’t set specific goals, reflect on your general aspirations and intentions.

Step 2: Monthly Achievements Review

Review each month from January onwards, noting significant achievements, completed projects, or milestones.

Step 3: Assess “Needle-Moving” Achievements

Identify which achievements had the most significant impact on your overall progress.

Step 4: Identify Gaps and Challenges

Reflect on where you fell short and identify any obstacles.

Step 5: Set or Refine Goals for the Rest of the Year

Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

Step 6: Develop an Action Plan

Break down each goal into smaller tasks and set deadlines.

Step 7: Implement Productivity Strategies

Incorporate productivity techniques, such as time blocking or the Pomodoro technique, to support your action plan.

Final Thoughts

It’s never too late for a mid-year check-in. The beginning of August is an excellent time to reflect on the past seven months because there’s still plenty of time left in the year to make meaningful progress. In fact, many corporate structures begin planning for the next months around this time (everyone is coming back from vacation!). So, take this opportunity to reflect, recalibrate, and refocus on achieving your goals!

And let me know if you would like my summary I created but I am too shy to put here :)