Happy Half New Year

We all know the scene. New Year’s Eve from Times Square in New York. The ball dropping as we count down the seconds with family or friends. The crowd in New York happy as the television pans, the confetti falls, and hugs and smiles dominate everyone’s actions if only for a few short minutes. One worn down year crawls to an end and a brand new year of possibilities opens at the stroke of midnight.

For many, New Year’s tradition includes making resolutions for improvement. Get in shape, join a gym, eat better, work more intelligently, save a little money, spend more time with family. Few of these new life resolutions stick, take root and grow; just as many wither and fade away within  a week or two.

I have a different tradition. I make life and business resolutions as well, but I make them on July 1 – at the halfway point in the year. Let me explain.

In many sports, halftime is where the team takes a formal break, gathers together with the coach, assesses their first half results, and adjusts their plans for the second half. I do the same thing. I take a brief break in the action in late June, measure where I am in my plans for the year, and make adjustments for the second half. These mid-year resolutions become my new game plan and will provide guidance as I take action towards my desired goals and outcomes for the next six months.

What are Your Mid-Year Resolutions?

July 1 marks a time to act. It’s a great day to take a few moments, reflect and analyze. 

Here are three questions that should help.

• Back on January 1, what was one of your 2014 goals? Where do you stand today? What can you do in the next three to six months to feel like you really moved the needle on your results against this goal?

• In your business or career, what is your most important specific target for 2014? A new position? A promotion? Total revenue or income? A new product taken to market? Cash savings stashed away? What major actions could you take right now and sustain for the next 180 days that would jump you forward towards that target?

• At home or with fiends and family, where do you know right now that you’re are not ‘performing’ up to your own or someone else’s legitimate expectations? What one new habit could you start today and practice every day through the end of 2014 that would dramatically improve your personal results?

It’s halftime. Let’s make a few mid-new year resolutions to keep us on the path of success for 2014. Stop today for just a few minutes. Give yourself the gift of quiet. Measure your results against your 2014 goals. And adjust your actions to get back on the right track.

Let me know what your “Half a New Year Resolution” is – and how I might be able to help.

Best wishes for Better! results on your terms.

John J. Hall, CPA