Not to make you panic friend, but we’re already halfway done with this year!

If you feel behind or are not happy with how the year has been going so far, have no fear, I have a little exercise that is sure to put things into perspective.

It’s easy to lose track of things with everything going on in the world and in our lives.

Did you set some goals or intentions at the beginning of the year? Do you even remember them? Maybe life got in the way or things changed significantly in one area of your life and plans went out the window.

Let’s do a little Mid-Year Life Audit and recalibrate for the next months.

Why a Life Audit

First off, let me just say that life doesn’t have to be chaotic or unbalanced for you to benefit from completing this exercise. It can show you how much you’ve truly progressed, even if you haven’t reached your goals yet. It can also highlight all the wonderful things that were not exactly planned but still happened.

How-To Life Audit

Step 1: Go Back To Your Plan

Make a list of all the goals and intentions you had for this year.

If you didn't have any, list what you wished you had accomplished or done so far this year.

Just make a list of all the things without judgement.

Step 2: Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

What has happened so far?

Start by acknowledging your accomplishments from Step 1. 

This is important. It’s too easy to brush off something because it was easy to complete, or it took no time or you were simply “doing your job“. Take time to note the tasks you had planned that got done.

Then, list all the things you did, created and loved, all the events you went to, all the special moments, even those that were not planned. 

Use your calendar, planner, photos, and expenses to help you remember.

When I do this step, I’m always amazed at how much has happened up until now. It’s so easy to forget the little accomplishments, or small but impactful improvements we make. I bet you did more than you think.

Step 3: Figure Out Your Obstacles

What's in the way of you reaching your goals?

List the beliefs, habits, and routines that are unhelpful. 

What's in your control?

What can you change or let go of to flip the situation in your favour? Sometimes simple tweaks can unlock the next level in a quest (I’m not a gamer, but I read a lot of fantasy books and I liked the metaphor 🗝🏆😉). 

Step 4: Reassess

What goals or intentions still feel true?

Do you need to change them a little, or write new ones that better represent your life and desires today? 

It is completely OK to change your goals if the ones you listed before feel heavy or boring. 

Maybe you need a bigger goal to feel inspired or a smaller version to make it happen. 

Take some time to reassess and adapt your goals to fit the life you want to have today.

Step 5: Add Spark

What things or events are you looking forward to for the rest of the year? Do you have vacations, weddings, work events, etc.?

Do you have fun traditions or activities to look forward to at specific times of the year? Sometimes this is called a seasonal bucket list. The idea is to list activities and events you wish to do during this season (actual seasons, or seasons of life), and to plan for them to happen.

Leaving time in your planning for life events is essential, including fun ones.

Write them in your planner or calendar.

Step 6: Break It Down

Pick one goal to work on in the next 90 days!

I plan in 90 increments. In my opinion, trying to plan longer in advance is too hard, so focus on the next 3 months only. You can plan the rest later.

Break your goal down into manageable steps. The smaller the better. 

Write down the steps in your planner, calendar, or task list and your weekly deadlines for each step. 

Start working towards your goal. Even 5 minutes a day will make a difference.

I hope this exercise has been helpful and it sets you up for success for the second part of the year.