If you find that like 90% of the population your new year’s resolutions went by the way side by mid March then take heart you can always begin again at any stage. You can begin again now, or at any stage, with this review and start a new more action focused plan today. It is important to remember that you can start at any stage during the year but also remember you can do this kind of life review at any time.

So how do you do that?

Use the following questions to help you review your life’s priorities and get your life back on track the way you deserve.I’d recommend you set aside a few hours or a few evenings to do this. Get a journal and a pen to write down your answers and reflections on these questions. Yes, it will take a bit of time but if this gets you back on track you’ll thank yourself in six months.

I’ve divided this up into two sections. The first section is based on setting personal goals and reviewing your personal life. The second section is aimed at small business owners so you can also review and set new business goals and projects. I’ve also included questions that can be used to help keep you on track on a quarterly and monthly basis at the end.

Personal Questions To Ask To Review Your Life And Set New Goals.

Let’s begin with a review of the last six months.

1. How has the last six months been?

Write every thing you can think of down. Divide it up into the following categories: Family, Friends, Fun, Health, Work, Relationship (intimate), Finances, Relationship with Colleagues/Boss, Home, Hobbies/Interests, Self-Care, Spirituality (if applicable).

1. What are you grateful for?
2. Do you see any negative patterns or people in your life?
3. Goals you have achieved (no matter how small make a note of them. This is important in terms of boosting your self-confidence and building motivation)?
4. Review your priorities and self-care routine. How are they going? Another word for priorities is your to do list.
5. What are your relationships like, all of them? You can list each person and write out how they treat you, etc., underneath? How do you treat these people?

2. Now it’s time to dream, yes dream!

Dream as big as you can and don’t hold back. It’s your life and you deserve the very best from life.

Now write an aspirational journal, this is what your really want to happen in your life. Let your imagination go wild here, don’t hold back at this stage you’ll rework it below.

1. What would your life feel like? By adding feelings/emotions and engaging as many sense as possible it engages the mind into taking more action.
2. What do you really want to happen next? In the next six months (short-term) One year or the next five years.
3. Who do you want to be?
4. Where do you want to live?
5. What would be magical if it could happen?
6. Who do you want to connect with? Family, friends and work colleagues or a new partner.
7. Who/what do you want to let go of? Do you see yourself starting a new career? Becoming self-employed? Meeting new friends? Starting a relationship or family?

Review your life now in relation to your dreams.

It’s time to review your priorities and get ready to start making and taking some actionable steps to bring your goals and dreams into reality.

 Review Your Priorities.

1. What do you want to stop doing?
2. What’s on your continual stop list? Do you have one? If not, you are going to start one.
3. Is anything on your list not your responsibility?
4. What are you doing for others – work and personal life – that others should and can do for themselves?
5. Can you hand these back to those who own them yet? If not, why not and why? Be very honest with yourself here, what are you getting out of this really? There will always be a pay off for you, you might not like to hear this but there is.
6. Who or what drains me? Who or what makes me feel bad about myself? Can you let these people and situations go? Negative vampires are not nice to be around, I’ve written a blog on how to let these people go here.
7. What is out of my control and can I let these go yet? Again if not, why? Be honest with yourself, what are you getting out of this?
8. Can I delegate anything I’m doing? Again this all comes down to honesty with yourself. Why are you not delegating or asking for help? Can you set a goal to start doing this? Why do you feel you are the only one who can do this job? Why do you feel you are the only one reliable enough etc., to do this? If you are not use to doing this it will feel strange and unnerving at first but with time and practice you will begin to feel more comfortable.
9. What will I say No to from now on? Can you say no? If you are not use to saying no to people it will feel very uncomfortable. You may feel anxious, you may feel that people will not like you any more. Yes, those who are treating you like a doormat will be upset with you but those who are your true friends and supporters will respect your boundaries. Let the others go. Remember saying no is a full sentence and a full statement it requires no explanation from you.

Action and Goals Stage.

Having completed the review of your priorities stage:

1. Write out your real to do list, your continual stop list and place these where you can see them frequently. You’ll add to your stop list over time so you’ll need easy access to it.
2. Delegate tasks or ask people to help where needed.
3. Give others back their responsibilities and explain that you will no longer be able to help them with these. (one of your first goals)
4. Let go of things you have no control over. (one of your first goals)
5. Cut back or delete negative people from your life immediately or at least over the next 3 months (one of your first goals)

Divide up your life according to the categories above and decide what you will tackle in the next six months. What goals do you have for each category? Write them all out, now pick the top priority for you from this goal, this will be your goal for the next six months. You can only work on one goal per category at a time to be efficient and if possible pick only one – three goals overall.

You can divide each goal under the following headings:

1. What actionable steps do I need to take to make this happen?
2. Will it take longer than six months?
3. What action steps will I take to get this done over the next six months?

Break this down into monthly action tasks now. Put these steps into your diary on the months and days you will do them. Only in this way will you actually take the steps needed to get this goal completed.

Now use the same idea for each category. But remember don’t take on too much on your day to-do list. It should only have 3 priorities per day maximum. It is also a good idea to use rewards and treats I discuss these below.

Emergency Bad Day Self-Care Kit

We all have bad days & need a little help, love & support. So having one of these already set up before you start your goals. Include a list or a copy of the following, you can use a physical box to keep things together or some items may be kept virtually in a locked file.

My Favourite:

1. Books, Movies or TV shows list or a physical copy kept in a box.
2. Music playlists or cds/record (yes they’re making a comeback) kept together in one place.
3. Physical Treats in a box: chocolate, candles, bath or pamper items you like to use. Try to incorporate all your senses, you can get some ideas starting here.
4. Favourite recipes or comfort food recipes, keep these on hand in one place. Keep items in your food cupboard that could be used to make a comfort dish. 
5. My Best Friends/Supporters list include phone, address and email number’s as you mightn’t have access to you mobile or tablet when you need it.
6. Places to Visit list. Any local places you like that bring comfort, peace or are uplifting for you.
7. Mantra’s/Affirmations, these should be used daily any way. But keep a list in your box as a reminder.

Treats & Rewards List.

Treats cost nothing or very little & should be given freely every week. Rewards cost money & should be given after you finish something or complete a goal. Never withhold any reward, even if you haven’t reached your goal. Once you reach your deadline date then reward yourself. 

A Review For Business Owners.

Most big companies review their business goals on a monthly basis. But they particularly pay attention to quarter or mid-year reviews. The business wants to see how things are progressing and what changes they need to make in order to steer the company back on track. They also want to review any challenges they can expect in the next six months. They will then begin to put in to place a plan to tackle these, as much as they can.

If you are self-employed beside completing the personal review questions try and review your business also. About 80% of small business owners do not track their business goals. This is a huge mistake and could mean you are leaving money on the table.

Actionable Goals Are Key.

Setting actionable goals here should always be your priority to help your business stay on track. Actionable goals means you have a concrete plan in place. That all your employees are aware of them, plus you, and they, know what action steps need to happen on a daily basis to keep your business profitable.

A mid year review will help you reorganise, re-prioritise, restructure and meet any challenges that the business may face in the next six months. You can also do a quarter review on all business goals, I’d highly recommend this as it’s easier to correct and adjust any mistakes.

Review your last six months.

1. What has happened in the last six months?
2. What were my goals for the business at the start of the year? Have these been met, or are they on track? Do they need to be reviewed?
3. Did you set financial goals? This could be from different projects or streams of business type or income. Did you reach these financial goals? Name the aspects of the project that went right for each project? What went wrong?
4. What did you learn over the last six months? Was there anything new you learnt that helped your business?

Review what you need to do next for your business.

1. What products/projects/services did my business create in the last six months? Which ones were successful? Do any need to be review or scraped? How much did you earn from these?
2. What products/projects/services will my business create in the next six months?
3. Have you set your sales figures/income targets for the next six months?
4. What do I need to learn to help my business grow?
5. Who do I need to connect with to help my business grow?

Other Questions

1. Do I need a business mentor? Remember a business mentor can be someone you know and admire in business it doesn’t have to be a business coach. It could also be a different person for different aspects of your business.
2. Does your business need social media or website?
3. What social media channels does your business need to focus on to bring in sales/promote my business?
4. Does your business have a mailing list?
5. What are your freebies? Do you need one, do you know what this is?
6. Does your business need a blog, vlog, live event or podcast for my business?
7. Will your business be featured or look to be featured in, other people’s blogs, vlogs etc.? How will you go about contacting them (do you know other people who know them if you don’t know them)? You need to set goals and have a plan of action for this.
8. If my business is using social media/blog/vlog/live event etc., how successful is it? Is it bringing in business or just costing my business time and money? Do I know where to get this information and do I clearly understand it?

Goals and Action Stage

1. Create a six month action plan for each project/product/service.
2. Set quarterly and monthly deadlines and review your plan at the end of each month to keep yourself on-track. (see below).
3. Set your financial goals for each project/product/service, six months, quarterly and monthly, review each month. Aligning your income goals with specific projects etc., will also help you review these more effectively.

Other Action Steps.

Other action steps needed to achieve your business goals may include the following. (Don’t forget to assign each step to the right person in your business or ask for help to achieve them):

1. My Mailing List Will Have ______ Subscriptions
2. Action Steps required to make that happen
3. My Social Media Accounts Will Have ___ Followers
4. Action Steps required to make that happen
5. My business will be featured in ____blogs/magazines.
6. Action Steps required to make that happen.
7. My business will host ____ live events (online or in person, be specific)
8. Action Steps required to make that happen.
9. I will record _____ vlog/FBLive/podcasts related to my business.
10. Action Steps required to make this happen. Don’t forget to include equipment and people you will need to make this happen.
11. I will learn _______ to help my business flourish. Or I will send ____ employee to learn ____.
12. I will create _____ freebies to attract _____ clients on to the first rung of my business sales funnel.
13. Action Steps required to make this happen. Include people and organisations you need to contact to make this happen.

Remember to gather your team of supports lists. Make your lists under the following headings:

1. Other business owners I trust, network with and my accountability partners
2. Contractors I use.
3. Helpers or volunteers I use or need for my business.
4. Friends and family supporters of my business.
5. Employees
6. Jobs I need to hire someone else to do!
7. My Mentor/Guides
8. Professional or other organisations I can get training or support from.

You also need to decide how and when you will take time off this year. Yes you need self-care, interests, family and friends time. If you don’t you will very quickly lose supporters, family and friends and become burnt out. I talk about why we need creativity for business here. So in your diary clearly allot time and put it into your dairy now the holidays you will observe (Weekly/Monthly/Yearly).

These are only some of the actionable steps you can take to get your business back on track. Don’t forget to break things down in the smallest size steps to make it easier to have that quick win and keep your momentum and motivation going.

You might also find the following useful tools in your review. You can also use these for your life as well.

Other Questions To Use

My Phrase Of The Year. (Word)

Inspired by Kerry Manning Colson you can join her Facebook group here

1. What does this phrase (word) mean to me?
2. I chose this word for my business/life because?
3. How can I embrace this word in my business or life this year? (Make some actionable steps and put them in your diary)

Month Review questions to ask.

1. What’s Changed?
2. How are you feeling about the different areas of your business (or in your life)?
3. Did you accomplish your goals? Including your financial ones.
4. What do you still want to do?
5. What things are no longer important?
6. Outline what you are proud of?
7. Goals/Action Steps To Be Taken Next Month. You should be able to take this from your action steps for each goal/project you are working on. Set dated deadlines.

Quarter Year Review

1. How have things changed?
2. How are you feeling about the different areas of your business (or in your life)?
3. What Goals did you accomplish?
4. What do you still want to do?
5. Is there anything no longer important?
6. What are you proud of?
7. Goals/Action steps for the next quarter. Break down into monthly deadlines.

I also have a free course in my free facebook group to help you complete this exercise.

Work With Me.

Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.