I spent last week at work delivering Mid Year performance reviews for the advisors on my team. The review’s objective is to reflect on first half accomplishments, analyze what’s going well and what’s not going well, provide clarity on progress relative to the goals set at the beginning of the year, and establish an urgent sense of direction to finish the year strong. While it’s important to check in on these things throughout the entire year, halftime provides a great opportunity for validation, analysis, and accountability. So I’m going to do the same thing for the goals that I set in the beginning of the year (in Reflection #2: New year, new horizons). Here goes my own personal Mid-Year Review:
1. Host Charlie’s 1st birthday party- On track: The goal was to survive our first year of parenting with enough energy to get our house ready for a birthday party. Charlie is just about 7 months old, and is sitting up, laughing, babbling, and trying to crawl. In hindsight, I recognize that I was off with my goal setting for this one. The first year hasn’t been about survival, it’s been an amazing daily adventure filled with laughter, love, dancing, snuggles, and constant learning. While we will celebrate the special milestone in November, we have plenty to enjoy along the way.
2. Embrace the weddings- On track: In a year with new responsibilities and limited time for social activities, it was important that I remained present and engaged in the slew of weddings this year as my closest friends and family embark on a momentous occasion in their lives. With two bachelor parties behind me including the coordination of a 3-bachelor, 30 guest trip to Nashville, I am prepared to enter the heart of wedding season. My friends, Steve Snyder and Danielle Giuliano, kick things off next weekend and send us down a path of 7 weddings through the summer and fall. I’ve committed to help keep the dance floor active, the drinks full, and experience memorable.
3. Advance career in financial advice- On track: My goal was to take some meaningful career steps this year to build a stronger foundation within the field of financial advice. After obtaining the CFP(R) certification this spring, getting promoted to Vanguard’s Financial Advisor Services sales team this month, and resuming the final year of the MBA program at Villanova this summer, I’m on track to meet my goal. In my new role, I’ll have an opportunity to partner with independent Financial Advisors across the Midwest territory in an effort to expand the reach of Vanguard’s products and thought leadership. I’m excited about the new opportunity, and will have plenty to learn as I make the transition.
4. Publish a weekly reflection- On track: As I wrote in post #1, my goal was to publish a reflective blog each week to practice writing, capture moments, and share lessons. So far, I’ve posted 22 reflections in 22 weeks. The posts have helped more than 2700 readers reflect more than 4000 times. I hope it’s helped you become more reflective about your own year. It’s been helpful for me.
5. Play tennis again- Off track: After playing competitively in high school, I neglected the sport for several years. Since stepping away, my forehand feels like Markelle Fultz’s foul shot or Charles Barkley’s golf swing. My goal was to play consistently enough through the spring and summer to be able to join my Dad’s tennis rotation in the fall. So far, I’ve only played once and it was ugly. I need to incorporate some court time into the weekly routine in the second half of the year to get back on track.
As we set New Years goals and resolutions in January, we often fall off course by June. Writing these goals down and sharing them with others has helped me prioritize, focus, and commit to these personal objectives. Checking in at Mid Year helps me recognize and take pride in the progress that I’ve made towards these important things in my life, and also help me focus on what I need to do in the second half.
What goals did you set for yourself this year? Where do you stand relative to those goals? Which ones are on track and which ones are off? What’s your game plan in the second half?
I hope this post helps you reflect on your own year. It’s been fun for me to reflect on mine.
The Janiec Reflection 