152 days spent. 213 left. 

For some reason, January 1^st always gets treated as the default reset date. And by the time June rolls around…well…let’s just say most people have hit that autopilot button again. There isn’t any, “Let’s try something new,” or, “I’m setting a goal to ______.” There is simply “going through the motions.” And we aren’t even noticing.

It’s almost impossible to arrive at the end of December without the reminder that resolutions are around the corner. So, I feel it’s important to ask: 

Why do we even make those resolutions at the beginning of the year?

Is it because it’s become popularized as the idea that a new year is the proper time for a fresh start? Or is it because we’ve truly committed to making a change, and January is a good time for it by happenstance? Because those are two very different reasons.

I think we need to detach ourselves from the idea that we need to wait for these set dates to take action. It hurts you more than it helps. There’s a moment you realize you can take the first step towards that new goal whenever you want. And that is the moment everything changes.

We’re approaching the midpoint of the year, and your resolution may have already died a slow, painful death. In fact, as you’re reading this, you’re likely reminded of that promise you made to yourself five months ago.

Feel guilty? Don’t. Guilt is just looking backward at a cost you can’t refund. You slipped, but you gained knowledge. With that said, this is where you make the change.

What I want now is for you to reflect on what you swore you were going to do in January (or anything, for that matter). Got it? Okay, now I want you to name the excuse you’ve been using since March.

Is your excuse valid? There’s a high likelihood that it isn’t, and that you simply fell off of the plan you laid out. Or maybe it’s because you didn’t have a plan at all, and it remained an idea. Hence, the lack of progress.

This isn’t a failure to start over from. The year isn’t waiting for a fresh January. It’s right here, only half-spent, and it’s still yours.

This second half of the year doesn’t require you to reinvent yourself or make a new resolution, goal, or commitment. All it requires is for you to stop pretending the clock needs to reset before pursuing it again.

Give yourself proof. 

Whether it’s the resolution you didn’t stick to or something similar, I want you to do this:

When you’re done, revisit this newsletter and email me what you did. I’d love to know.