It’s July 1st… Are You Half Done?

The year is half done.  Are you?

Today is July 1st.  By our monthly calendars, the year is now half over!

Can you believe it?  How did we get here, so fast?

Everyone gets hung up on New Year’s, making resolutions and setting yearly goals. But, few take stock of their progress throughout the year.  And hence, many resolutions and goals are long forgotten before the end of the year.

But, today is July 1st.  It is the mid-year point.

Today is a perfect day to reflect and course adjust.  To celebrate what has been done.  Perhaps, to recommit to a goal.  Or to start something new.  So, with half of 2010 behind us, let’s take an honest and realistic look at where we are.

It’s Been Half a Year…Are you Half Done?

Why don’t more people take stock of their progress towards their goals?

I think it’s partly due to our society’s general desire not to be held accountable. People don’t want to know where they are, so they won’t have to hold themselves accountable to their progress.  (Ignorance is bliss?)

However, if you are at 20% of your goals at the midway point, you probably aren’t going to make up the rest in the 2nd half of the year.

That is kind of a myth.  Doing everything in the second half of the year.  You are where you are, and you can only start from there.

The Myth of the Negative Split

Have you heard of a “negative split?”  In running, it means to run the second half of the race faster than the first half.  You second half time is better (lower) than the first half, hence the term “negative split.”

Unfortunately, the concept of the negative split doesn’t translate so well to daily life. If your goal was to start a new hobby, learn a new skill, or build a blog, it really isn’t feasible to cram the whole thing into half the time.

So, be realistic about where you are.  Adjust and reset expectations if necessary, and be positive about what you will accomplish in the 2nd half of the year.

Celebrate Your Progress

It is just as important to be proud of what you have accomplished this year.

The celebration of accomplishments, even the little ones, can be a transforming force that drives further success.

So, be proud of what you have succeeded at this year.  Be excited about the progress you have put on the scoreboard.

And maybe this holiday weekend, celebrate just a little for yourself.


What progress have you made so far this year?  What are you going to accomplish in the 2nd half of the year?

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Categories: Productivity, Time Management
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  • Mark

    Thanks for the encouragement to do a mid-year review. I just looked over my completed projects log in my task manager. I smiled a few times while reviewing projects I was satisfied to have completed and had forgotten about.

    I'm going to spend the rest of this breakfast at a highway diner considering those projects I want back on track. -Like my new years resolution to get to the gym; I bought a membership but have not been there since January (so cliché!).

  • http://www.timemanagementninja.com Craig Jarrow

    Mark,
    Love it when you review and find accomplishments you had “forgotten” about! Makes them seem even more sweet.

    I like looking forward and planning what else I want to accomplish this year.

    Best wishes!

  • Bill Pentecosst

    Mostly I'm with Charlie Brown “It takes last minute panic to get things done.”

  • http://www.legalpracticepro.com Jay Fleischman

    Craig, the funny thing for me is that the milestones I have set for myself didn't exist on January 1. My goals evolve over the course of days and weeks, which is why my halfway point is up for grabs.

    As to the long-term goals I did have on January 1 … well, we're not going to talk so much about them. I'm notoriously bad with the halfway point, ignoring the half-full, half-empty debate by simply not paying attention until it's all done. Perhaps I should track progress to make me feel more productive.

  • http://www.jennszen.com Jennifer

    I really like the negative spirit approach. I just wrote about this topic yesterday too. I like to give myself a checkpoint to kind of reevaluate where I am. It's so tempting to try and gloss over some of things you haven't done with the I'll work harder so I can reach my goals. Sometimes things just need true reflection and adjusting. Thanks for the different perspective. :)

  • http://twitter.com/LauraScholz Laura Scholz

    Love the negative split reference (and I almost always run negative splits!). I just started work with a non-profit, and the fiscal year starts on July 1–I kind of like the idea of starting anew in July, especially since it can be kind of a down month in my profession.

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  • joetaxpayer

    I am halfway on my weight goal. Dropped about 10 of the 20 I wanted to lose.

    Of 70 sheets of Drywall delivered to me last November, 10 remain. The basement will be done by Oct/Nov.

    6% market in first half of year was fine. 8% for next 6 years is my hope.

    • TMNinja

      @joetaxpayer Awesome Joe! Sounds like you are well on your way this year! :)

      Best wishes!

  • joetaxpayer

    I am halfway on my weight goal. Dropped about 10 of the 20 I wanted to lose.

    Of 70 sheets of Drywall delivered to me last November, 10 remain. The basement will be done by Oct/Nov.

    6% market in first half of year was fine. 8% for next 6 years is my hope.

  • TMNinja

    @joetaxpayer Awesome Joe! Sounds like you are well on your way this year! :)

    Best wishes!