Use Your Vacation to Conduct Your Own Mid-Year Review
Change your mindset. Get inspired. Review your goals and re-set the bar high. Anywhere in the world.
It is summertime. Six months have passed. How are the life goals you set at the beginning of the year going? How can you conduct a self-review that’s both productive and inspiring? Easy: go on holidays!
As an expat in Germany, my vacation is always a choice between a grounding home visit and flying around the world. Both are equally important to me. My roots versus my passion: traveling. The interaction with other cultures, religions, and points of view in a world of contrasts has shaped who I am and what I have achieved so far.
What went well in my life and at work during the first half year? Which mistakes can I learn from? What am I thankful for? I invite you to reflect on these questions during your vacation. Here are some practical tips to get started.
Empty your mind and let your subconscious do the work
Before going on vacation, empty your mind and get rid of potential worries that might arise while you are away. Channel them outside of yourself. Use a piece of paper, laptop, or smartphone and write down your to-do lists and targets for the rest of the year.
The goal is to start your vacation with a lighter head that has room to absorb new ideas and to see things with different eyes. Live your holidays fully focused on your adventure and experiences – they will increase your energy, positivity, and creativity. Recognize and celebrate your achievements so far in the year and let them refuel and renew you. Then, continue, as your journey is not over yet.
Get out of your comfort zone and try something new
Have you ever thought about exploring Europe by train, taking a trip to thrilling South America, spiritual Asia, or grounding Africa? Do it! Forget your fears, prejudices, and excuses.
Ditch your routine and get to know other places and cultures – it will provoke you to learn and widen your boundaries, and see your daily tasks in a new light. A fresh way of thinking will be key in finding innovative and creative solutions to your personal targets and challenges.
Don’t get lazy – stay active
Abandoning your usual daily routine for a while not only feels great – it’s also liberating. However, too many lie-ins in the mornings can lead to laziness. Don’t fall into this trap! Try to keep your early bird habit for at least part of your holidays, and add in a new sport or activity.
Let other people inspire you
Whether you spend time with loved ones or total strangers, other people are important in making you more aware of your key goals and accomplishments. Those close to you can give you honest feedback on what they see in front of them, while strangers will help you realize what you bring to the table and inspire you to keep moving forward.
Use the clear mind, fresh energy and creativity you brought back from holidays to reflect on your year to date and to envision where you want to be in six months. With your newfound awareness it is time to go back to the lists and targets you prepared before the break. Review your results and goals and continue to challenge yourself and dream big for the rest of the year!
Thanks for this great post, it resonated so much with me when you said, that travel experiences have shaped who you are and what you have achieved so far. It happened to me as well, although I am still in the process of shaping the next stage of life and career, however travelling, learning languages, discovering cultures, meeting people, enjoying food and being amazed by beautiful sunsets have changed me in ways I could have never imagined. So yes every trip has thought me something important!
Looking forward to my next trip :)
Holidays are indeed a moment to refresh, and you bring a very important element to it - a mid-year review. Again, good advice. Take small, manageable steps (mid-year) instead of a giant step like a 'life review'.
One exercise I like to do regularly is the 'wheel of life'. There are many variations, so just google it and adjust to your needs.
Thanks for putting this 2 separate topics together.
Funny enough, this is exactly what we're working on at Beaconforce. To truly ENJOY life, you need to better understand yourself and what "enjoyment" really means. It comes from high levels of INTRINSIC MOTIVATION. I invite you to visit our website and check us out! Feel free to contact me as well. www.beaconforce.com
A kind advice to the readers who will try this ***Be careful as it can become extremely addictive***
This sensation of discovering something different and by the same occasion something about yourself and your own culture is priceless.
Mel - 40 countries and counting ;)