Are You in the Mid-Year Slump?

Can you believe we’re into June and almost nearing the end of Q2?!

I feel like I’ve blinked and half the year has gone!

Looking back on the first half of this year, can I honestly say I’m where I want to be?

Actually, no.  I’ve found that I’ve spent a real chunk of my time procrastinating about my next steps and having to really think about the direction of my business and where I want to go next.

Have you found yourself struggling to maintain motivation and focus as the year progresses? 

Perhaps you’re experiencing what is commonly known as the ‘mid-year slump’. 

It appears in the form of procrastination, lack of accountability, and the lack of knowing where you want to be. Let’s break it down…

The mid-year slump refers to a phase where individuals may feel a dip in their energy, enthusiasm, and productivity. It typically occurs around the middle of the year when the initial excitement and motivation from the New Year have faded. Many people find themselves in a state of stagnation, lacking the drive to…well…to do anything really!

Procrastination: A Major Contributor to the Slump

Procrastination often plays a significant role in the mid-year slump. It is the act of delaying or postponing tasks, which can result in missed opportunities and a sense of unfulfillment. Several factors contribute to procrastination, including fear of failure, perfectionism, lack of motivation, and poor time management.

For me, procrastination comes when I’m unsure of my next steps, and also the ‘what if’ that comes with fear of failure.  

What if I launch my program and nobody buys it?

There are things that I do to help reign my thoughts back in and keep me focused.  

REST.  A complete break from work can actually help me refocus and come back with renewed energy.  I’m not talking about a 10 minute break from your screen, but a week away from work, or a day trip to the beach.  Real, intentional rest.

WHATSAPP.  Voicenotes are my friend and I often offload what’s in my head into a voicenote to my business buddy!

TIME BLOCKING.  Actually setting dedicated time in you calendar to work on a specific task that is going to move your business forward and get you closer to your goal.  90 minutes is my sweet spot.

Lack of Accountability: Fuelling the Slump

Another significant factor that perpetuates the mid-year slump is the lack of accountability. When there is no one to say ‘HEY!’ and give you a swift kick up the a*se when you need it, then you can just keep delaying.

I have an accountability buddy that helps me set out tasks I want to accomplish each day, and I voicenote them to her in the morning, which helps hold me responsible for my actions and progress.

Accountability plays a vital role in personal and professional growth. It creates a sense of responsibility and drives individuals to stay focused and committed to their goals. 

I am also in a monthly pod group as part of the mastermind program I am in where we set out what is going to happen in the next 30 days and what we have achieved in the last 30 days.  It helps me to stay on track and keep the momentum going.

Setting Clear Goals and Knowing Where You Want to Be

This has been a hard one for me, because I have been flip-flopping for some time as to where I want the direction for the business to go.

There are several factors that influence my decisions, including the fact that I have a young family and I want to be there for every school pick up, drop off and all the assemblies and shows in between.

This means I have been drawn more to the idea of 1-2-many programs, but at the same time, I have a currently successful business and long-term clients, whom I want to continue to provide a top-notch service for.  This has been my main business struggle over the last few months and it has taken a while to get to a place where I feel comfortable with my decisions and the next steps to take.

Overcoming the Mid-Year Slump

Some of the things I have done to help me move forward with my vision and overcome the ‘slump’:

• Be kind to myself.  I don’t need the added pressure that I could put on myself to make decisions.  I’ve allowed myself time and space to think, plan and see if it ‘feels right’.
• Restricted the number of projects/clients we take on.  This means we are not so overworked as a team that we don’t have time work on the business, instead of just in it.
• Asked for help.  I take my thoughts and my questions to my accountability buddy, my team and my mastermind group.  No question is too small or too silly, and there is such a wealth of experience and expertise within my community that helps me to get clearer.

I also had a very clear goal this year of taking the summer holidays off with my kids.  This has impacted other decisions I have made, as this is something I am committed to doing.

Don’t be afraid to say no to some things so you can achieve something else.

Do 1 thing every day to move you closer to your goal.  That can be content planning, launch strategy, social media graphics…just 1 thing each day if you can’t do anything else.  It can be small, or big, but do 1 thing.

Find your tribe.  I’ve said it many, many times and I’ll keep saying it – surround yourself with people who buy into your visions, who support you and lift you up, and who challenge you to move forward.

Plan in your rest time.  Engage in activities that bring you joy.  I have time blocked out of my diary for the gym and running, I take a 3-day weekend and I always take holidays as a complete break from work.

So even though you might feel like you’re in a bit of a work-slump, know that it’s pretty common, and actually, if you make a few adjustments and take small steps in the right direction before you know it, you’ll be smashing those goals out of the park!

If you do need an extra helping hand, think about investing in a coach.  I am part of a Mastermind group that has helped me work through my mindset, blocks and help steer the direction of where I want my business to go.

It’s due to end in August and I’ll be looking for my next investment.

If you need guidance on your next steps, why not hop on a power hour call with me: https://go.boostandbloom.co.uk/power-hour

To your success

Much Love, Sam x