Are you on track?
We're halfway through the year. How is your progress towards your intentions?
As I sat near the water’s edge at dusk this past weekend, I found myself reflecting on the intentions that I set at the start of this year. One intention, really. My only goal (or New Year’s resolution) for 2024 is consistency. In all areas of my life.
I smiled when I remembered this because it’s been over a month since my last weekly newsletter. Up until last month, I’d published weekly this entire year! I’m ok with this, though, because I’m perfectly imperfect.
There’s also more work to be done in other corners of my life where I want to be more consistent. So, this past weekend was an invitation for me to pause and reflect on the intentions that I set at the beginning of the year.
I extend that same invitation to you. How might you ensure you’re on the right track? What needs to happen to either maintain momentum or regain the momentum that was lost or reprioritized to other things?
If you need some support, here are some insights from three of my favourite thought leaders.
Review and Reflect with Purpose
A great starting point is to revisit the goals (or intentions, as I like to call them.) Ask yourself:
What progress have I made so far?
What has felt challenging?
What adjustments might be helpful to regain focus?
Nir Eyal, author of “Indistractable,” emphasizes the importance of intentional reflection to stay on course. Eyal suggests setting aside regular, uninterrupted time, treating it as a non-negotiable part of your schedule. Doing so ensures that your intentions remain at the forefront of your mind and guide your daily actions.
Personally, it’s been helpful for me to remind myself of who I need to BE in order to HAVE the desired result I seek. Then, what I need to do becomes clear. From there, I time block space for fitness or writing to my calendar. I also add reminders to my daily lists about the type of person I am who supports the activity:
“I am the type of person who makes good nutrition choices to maintain a healthy body.”
“I am the type of person who writes consistently so as to stay connected to my community.”
Secure Your Boat
My favourite humanistic psychologist, SBK, highlights the importance of caring for your core needs before pursuing higher aspirations.
I love Scott Barry Kaufman’s boat metaphor to illustrate this concept. The bottom of the boat represents fundamental needs such as safety, connection, and self-esteem. If these needs are neglected, the boat becomes unstable and unable to navigate towards more transcendent pursuits like creativity, personal growth, and self-fulfillment.
By ensuring that the bottom of the boat is secure, we create a solid foundation that allows us to explore and achieve our highest potential. Kaufman’s research drives home the value of taking a balanced approach to personal development, where foundational needs are met, paving the way for meaningful and sustained self-actualization.
I spent the past month taking care of some of my family's (and my) core needs and allowed my priorities to shift away from consistently publishing a weekly newsletter. I love the ebb and flow of life!
Cultivate Self-Compassion and Mindfulness
Kristin Neff, a pioneering researcher on self-compassion, and Pema Chödrön, a renowned Buddhist nun and teacher, both talk about the transformative power of self-kindness and mindfulness.
As you review your progress, be kind to yourself. Setbacks and challenges are a natural part of the journey toward self-actualization.
Practice self-compassion by acknowledging your efforts and forgiving yourself for any perceived shortcomings. Neff’s work highlights the importance of treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend. I find it helpful to talk to myself as if I were a young child again. I let little Sue know that we all go through rough periods and that it’s ok to feel or work through what we need to in order to get through to a sunnier spot.
Embrace mindfulness by being present with your experiences without judgment. Chödrön teaches that when we stay present and observe our thoughts and emotions with openness, it becomes easier to break free from negative cycles and become more resilient.
Know you’re not the only one by reflecting on common humanity. Recognize that everyone faces difficulties and struggles. This perspective, central to Neff’s framework, reminds us we’re not alone in our struggles. It helps us feel less isolated and encourages a sense of connection with others.
Take the next step
I hope these principles will help you cultivate a more compassionate and mindful approach to your mid-year check-in, allowing you to stay resilient and motivated as you continue pursuing your goals.
I’m offering free summer coaching for leaders who want to regain momentum toward their goals (whether personal or professional). Check it out.