We could have also called this blog – Holy Mackerel it is June, JUNE, Already I Can’t Believe It. But we don’t want to incite panic, nor come across like a fish-loving granny. But yes, friends, it is June and we are 6 months into a 12-month stretch. Summer is around the corner and before we know it we will be humming along to Mariah Carey as we peruse carbs and booze in the supermarket aisles. Just us? Don’t lie.
So! Six months are up and it’s the perfect time for a little reflection and alignment; celebrating the wins, learning from the mistakes and keeping an eye on the year-long to-do list. We’ve popped together a short guide on how to have your very own mid-year review.
As creative freelancers and small business owners, reflection is an invaluable tool. After all, how will you know if you don’t look? Take a moment to look back on the past six months and celebrate your achievements, both big and small. Ask yourself:
What were your proudest accomplishments?
What challenges did you overcome?
What did you learn from your experiences?
Did you stay aligned with your values and purpose?
What areas would you like to improve upon?
Did you manage to set goals at the beginning of the year? Now is the time to review each goal and evaluate your progress in achieving them. If not, pretend. We jest, but if you didn’t manage to set goals at the beginning of the year, skip this step. If you did, think about:
Which goals did you accomplish?
What were your obstacles?
Are there any goals that are no longer relevant or need adjusting?
What can you learn from your progress?
It’s time to set new goals. Keep these tips in mind:
Be Specific: Clearly define your goals and make them measurable. Instead of saying, ‘Acquire more clients’ say ‘Acquire five new clients in the next three months.’
Prioritise: Identify the most important goals that will have the greatest impact on your creative business.
Be realistic: Set goals that challenge you but are still within reach.
Align with Your Values: Ensure your goals align with your brand’s core values and long-term vision. This is the sense-check moment, are these goals right for you and your business?
Turn your goals into reality with a solid action plan. Break each goal down into smaller, actionable steps:
Set Milestones: Divide your goals into smaller milestones to help you track progress and stay motivated.
Identify Resources: Determine the resources, skills, or support you need to achieve your goals. This could include professional development, outsourcing or networking with peers.
Schedule Tasks: Allocate dedicated time in your calendar for working towards your goals. Treat these blocks of time as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.
Stay Accountable: Share your goals with a friend or fellow freelancer who can provide support and hold you accountable. Regular check-ins will keep you on track and motivated.
Taking the time for a mid-year review to reflect is an invaluable creative freelancer tool. Giving yourself the space to pause and assess your progress gives you a clearer direction for the months ahead as well as a chance to celebrate those achievements you might have missed :). Oh, we skipped Step Five: Let us know how you do! We’d love to hear if you took part in our mid-year review. Join us at one of our monthly breakfasts and we’ll share goals and reflections over a croissant and coffee.
Keep an eye out for future news and blogs from Gather Round via our website and on Instagram.
Words by Daisy Dobson
Gather Round is a growing family of unique creative workspaces, designed to foster a positive community of like-minded creative people through an open and supportive culture. Our considered spaces are designed to adapt to the diverse needs of our members....
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