Embracing the Mid-Year Reset: aka "What to Do When Life Throws You Off Course"

"We need to accept that we won't always make the right decisions, that we'll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it's part of success." - Arianna Huffington

July 1.

It’s the official midway mark of the year.

Six months behind us, six months ahead of us.

It's natural at this point in the year to reflect on the goals we set back in January.

And if your 2024 is going anything like mine has so far, this reflection can leave you feeling a bit discouraged.

Perhaps your year hasn't gone as planned. Maybe you've faced unexpected challenges, or your goals feel out of reach. Perhaps you’re in the midst of navigating a challenging life experience such as separation or divorce, that wasn’t part of your "plan” for 2024.

If you're feeling like this year has gone completely “off course”, know that you are not alone.

I had big plans for 2024, and not only am I nowhere near halfway to achieving those goals, I find myself having to let go of the goals I had originally set for this year, and make a new plan to move forward.

If you know me at all, you know how much I love a good analogy to illustrate a point, and one of my favorite analogies is comparing life’s journey to a road trip, which just happens to fit perfectly with today’s blog post.

Letting the Dust Settle

Imagine that you’re driving along a beautifully paved highway on your way to your pre-determined destination, and all of a sudden, you come to a spot where the road is blocked, and you’re being forced to detour to a secondary dirt road.

It can be hard to see the road ahead when you first go off course. When all the dust and debris are stirred up, it’s almost impossible to see anything ahead of you at all. “What road? I don’t even see a road...!!”

But if you take the time to let the dust settle a bit, before you know it, you will see a path forward. Maybe one that’s taking you in a different direction, leading you to a different road.  A better road. A more scenic route. 

Know that it’s okay if you don’t see a path forward just yet. The key is just to be still and let the dust settle. The most important thing to do is to TRUST that there IS a path leading you to a place far better than where you came from. Often the scenic route is more beautiful than your planned route, even if it is the longer route. Trust that.

Keeping Your Eyes on the Horizon

Your job is to keep your head up and your eyes on the horizon. If you stare at your feet because you’re feeling defeated or keep looking at the roadblock because you’re trying to understand how you got off course in the first place, you will miss the amazing opportunities that lie ahead for you!! And I promise, there are always amazing opportunities ahead of you!

The key is to focus your gaze as far ahead on the horizon as you can see, and then pick a path that looks like it will take you someplace good. Then take a single step in that direction. You don’t need to see the whole path or where it meets up with another road. All you have to do is place one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.

 And before you know it, you will find yourself on an incredible journey to destinations greater than you ever dreamed of. So incredible in fact that you will be filled with gratitude for being taken “off course” in the first place!

Practical Steps for Finding Your “Next Best Step”

I speak from experience when I say that when life takes you off course, it can be incredibly challenging to determine what to do next. Here are three practical and powerful steps to help you decide the next best step after you’ve been taken off course and have allowed the dust to settle:

1. Reflect and Reassess: Take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you. When’s the last time you asked yourself “What do I want my life to look like?” Consider your core values, priorities, and what you want to achieve. Write down your values and goals and reassess how they align with your current situation. This clarity will help you realign your path with what is genuinely important to you.
2. Set Small, Achievable Goals and Take Action: Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. Identify one small, achievable goal that you can start working on immediately. Taking action on a small step builds momentum and confidence. Celebrate each small victory along the way. For example, if your goal is to improve your health, start with a 10-minute daily walk and gradually increase the time and intensity.
3. Seek Support and Stay Open to Opportunities: Reach out for support from friends, family, or a professional coach. Sometimes, an outside perspective can provide invaluable insights and encouragement. Additionally, stay open to new opportunities that you might not have considered before. Attend workshops, webinars, or networking events to expose yourself to new ideas and possibilities.

Embrace the Journey

Regardless of how the first part of 2024 has gone for you so far, the midway point of the year, is an excellent time to reflect, reset, and realign. If life isn’t going quite as you planned, trust that the Universe has a broader vision for your life than you can see right now.

Accept the detours, embrace the scenic route, keep your eyes on the horizon, and take that next step forward, trusting that it might lead to a destination that is even more beautiful than the one you had originally planned. xo

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If your 2024 has gone off course and you're looking for some guidance to cast a new vision for where to go from here, I can help.  The first step to knowing what you want, is to rediscover who you are, and I have a new online workshop to help you do just that.  Learn more about "Coming Back to Myself" here.