Does anyone else feel like they just turned the corner on a whole new chapter of their lives? While my Saturn hasn’t quite returned, I feel like I’m being pulled in its direction. Something big, bright, and beautiful is coming. My frontal lobe is developed and everything is falling and it’s almost into place.
My career dreams are coming true, I have the best husband, I have the little dog I always dreamed of since childhood (he’s sitting in my lap right now), and everything feels like it’s shaking up and settling all at once.
I learned that yesterday was an actual turning point: We are closer to now to 2050 than we are to 2000, and since I was born in 2000, it’s hitting a little closer home for me.
This is a mid-year reset, but it’s also a turning point propeller: You’re about to bloom and experience everything you’ve ever dreamed of. This three-step reset is going to help you discover your deepest goals and desires and help you map out a plan to achieve them. Nothing is out of the realm of possibility if you believe in yourself.
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Step #1: Reflect on New Year Goals (Celebrate the Wins and Forgive Yourself for the Rest!)
It’s time to find the journal you bought at the beginning of this year and blow the dust off. We’re starting off our mid-year reset with a little reflection.
I want you to look over your goals with fresh (not disappointed or judgmental) eyes. Because here is the deal: Our goals change, and that is okay. Maybe you wrote down a goal that you no longer resonate or align with: release yourself from it and allow yourself to move forward.
This is not even a “blank slate” moment; it’s giving yourself the grace to change daily, weaving in and out of who you are and who you want to become.
Because there is power in action, I want you to physically mark off the goals you no longer align with. Let go of these. The bigger the permanent marker felt tip, the better.
Then, I want you to circle the goals you do align with.
While you likely haven’t reached these goals just yet, I want you to celebrate and write down every little win that has helped you fulfill that goal so far.
For example, if one of my goals was to become a runner, I would write down something like “When I started running, I was barely able to keep a full jog for a minute, but now I can go 10 full minutes without having to stop! I have built up my endurance, and I am so proud of myself for achieving this milestone!”
How I'm romanticizing my least favorite season
Can I be honest with you? Summer—at least for the time being—is my least favorite season. *winces like you’re going to punch me* Listen, I love alllll the summer aesthetics: the sunshine, beach, iced coffee in hand, driving with the windows down, one direction at full blast, and those sweet summer nights.
Step #2: Reset Your Goals (and Get Specific With It!)
Now that you’ve released yourself from the goals you no longer resonate with, it’s time for a gentle refresh and some soul searching. Here’s your guide to redefining your goals.
Mini Step #1: Write Down Previous Goals You Still Align With
Start by writing down the goals you still align with on a fresh page. Update them a little if necessary.
Mini Step #2: Envision Future You
Then, ask yourself these questions to discover what you want the next chapter of your life to look like:
When I envision my brightest future, what does that look like?
What is my job situation?
Who is there beside me?
Who is not there beside me?
How do I feel being this version of myself?
Where am I living?
What places have I traveled to?
How do I spend my free time?
Remember: No “dream” is too big here.
Mini Step #3: Clarify and Redefine Your Goals
Now that you’ve done some soul searching, you probably have a pretty good understanding of what you want out of life. Use that vision to guide your new goals.
For example, if I wrote down that in my brightest future I was a successful freelancer who wrote for all of the brands I wanted to and made a full-time income from it, then my goal could look like:
My goal is to start freelance writing for [these specific dream publications] and make at least [this much money] per month.
Getting specific with your goals will help you achieve them by making the roadmap there much clearer and easier to read.
If I just said “I want to be a successful freelance writer” then that leaves what “success” looks like up to a lot of interpretation, and leaves me wondering at the end if I actually achieved my goal.
Bottom line: Making unspecific goals can leave you feeling unfulfilled and will make it harder for you to achieve them.
Mini Step #4: Make an Action Plan
A goal without an action plan is like a party balloon that’s not tethered to the ground: it’s going to slowly drift away from you.
To make an action plan, outline three things you’re going to do on a daily/weekly/monthly basis to achieve each goal you wrote down.
Going along with the freelance writer goal example, it would look like this:
My goal is to start freelance writing for [these specific dream publications] and make at least [this much money] per month.
To achieve this goal, I’m going to:
Post 3-5 times per week on LinkedIn to grow and engage with others daily to grow my personal brand and become recognizable in my industry.
Connect with and reach out to two new people at my dream publications every month.
Send out a batch of pitch ideas to the editors I’m working with each week to continue getting business and making money.
Step #3: Create a Vision Board Based on Your Goals
TBH, this is the fun part. It’s time to get on Pinterest and create a vision board based on the goals you have set. If it’s not cringy, it’s not good enough.
For example, the mid-year vision board I created has a picture of Dakota Johnson with a text overlay that says, “I look like Dakota Johnson” — she’s my hair (her bangs? *chef’s kiss*) and fashion inspo, okay?
When creating the vision, I recommend going through each one of your goals and finding a picture that correlates to it. I also put logos of brands I want to work with and manifesting quotes.
And take time to make it *pretty* — you’re going to want to be looking at this every day, allowing this vision to subconsciously become second nature to you.
Print it out, make it your lock screen, and tape it to your bathroom mirror. Just make sure you’re looking at it often.
Since making my vision board last week, I’ve already landed opportunities with three of the brands I put on my board. So know this: All of your dreams are within reach. You will get there when the timing is right for you. All you have to do is believe in yourself and know that you are deserving of great things.
Real note: I hit 50 subscribers a few days ago, and I’m so so grateful for every single one of you who choose to be here, and who take the time to read what I have to say. I hope my posts are encouraging, inspirational, and help you live a more intentional life.
Thank you so much for the support <3
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