Uplifting Renewal

“We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” – John Dewey

As we reach the midpoint of the year, it’s the perfect moment to pause, breathe, and take stock. Whether you’re a professional, student, entrepreneur, stay at home parent, spiritual leader, retired or in a season of transition, a mid-year reflection helps you assess how far you’ve come and how far you still want to go.

If you’re on track, keep the momentum going

Congratulations if you’ve already achieved some of your goals. But remember, success isn’t a destination, it’s a continuous journey.

Now is the time to:

• Evaluate what worked and what didn’t.
• Refine or expand your goals.
• Celebrate your progress, big or small.
• Stay flexible as new opportunities or challenges arise.
• Prioritize your well-being.
• Seek feedback and lean on your support system.

Keep growing, keep moving, and don’t lose sight of what inspired you at the beginning of the year.

“The only source of knowledge is experience.” – Albert Einstein

Hit a few roadblocks? That’s still progress

Maybe this year hasn’t gone to plan. That’s okay. Detours and setbacks hold valuable lessons too. Use this mid-year point to:

• Reflect honestly: What did you hope to achieve? What changed?
• Celebrate your effort: Progress is more than outcomes.
• Identify barriers: What held you back? Was it a lack of time, support, clarity, or confidence? In today’s challenging global economy, financial pressure is real. But even in the face of crisis, many have found ways to move forward by tapping into creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness. You can too.
• Learn from experience: Make adjustments not excuses.
• Re-align your goals: Are they still meaningful to you?

Remember, progress is never linear. What matters is how you pivot.

“I’ve learned from experience that if you work harder at it, and apply more energy and time to it, and more consistency, you get a better result. It comes from the work.” – Louis C.k

No clear goals yet? It’s not too late

If you didn’t start the year with a plan, now’s your time. The year isn’t over, you still have six months to make it meaningful.

Start by making a list on which areas you’d like to make progress:

• Career or education – New skills, courses, projects?
• Personal growth – Habits to build/break, books to read, new experiences?
• Health and wellness – Exercise, diet, sleep, stress management?
• Spiritual growth – Reading your bible, interceding, character change?
• Relationships – Nurture friendships, strengthen family ties?
• Hobbies – Creative pursuits, new hobbies?
• Finances – Save, invest, pay off debt?
• New business – A viable business idea to meet a market need?
• Own a home – Start with what is available?
• Retired – What new venture or interest at your age?

Choose 1–3 priorities that truly matter to you and make them SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Then:

1. Break them into small, manageable actions.
2. Take the first step (no matter how small).
3. Track your progress weekly or monthly.
4. Be kind to yourself and stay flexible.

Example of a SMART goal

Goal: Improve physical health through regular exercise

• Specific – I want to improve my physical fitness by walking regularly.
• Measurable – I will walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
• Achievable – I will start with brisk walks in my neighborhood using a fitness app to track my time.
• Relevant – This goal aligns with my desire to boost my energy, reduce stress, and feel healthier overall.
• Time-bound – I will maintain this routine for the next 3 months and evaluate my progress at the end of each month.

“Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into smaller jobs.” – Henry Ford

Planning with wisdom: A Biblical perspective

Reflection and planning are not just modern ideas, they are deeply biblical.

• God’s approach to creation was step-by-step, reviewed, and declared good (Genesis 1). Similarly, in Genesis 2:18-25, God again demonstrates a process of review and response. He observed the loneliness of Adam, the man He had created, and determined it “not good” for him to be alone. In response to this need, God then created Eve to be his wife. When he reviewed the whole creation and it was very good, then he rested.
• Jesus taught the importance of counting the cost before starting a project (Luke 14:28–30).
• The Apostle Paul regularly reviewed and encouraged the churches he planted (1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1& 2 Corinthians, 1& 2 Timothy and Philippians).
• Proverbs reminds us:To observe the ant, which prepares its food in the summer suggesting that we should also plan for the future (Proverbs 6:6-8).

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity” (Proverbs 21:5 NLT).

Scripture supports regular evaluation, wise decision-making, and yielding to divine direction. Combine your prayers and planning with diligence and faith.

Your mid-year action plan

1. Reflect – What worked? What didn’t?
2. Refine – Are your goals still relevant?
3. Plan – Break your goals into actionable steps.
4. Act – Take one step today, no matter how small.
5. Stay accountable – Track your progress and adjust as needed.
6. Stay grounded – Trust God’s timing and be open to His direction.

Begin with the determination to succeed, and the work is half done already”. – Henry Ford

Your next step matters

Mid-year is not the end, it’s a reset point. Whether you’re celebrating wins or starting fresh, take one decisive step today. Your next six months can still be purposeful, impactful, and fulfilling.

“One small step today can re-chart your course for the months ahead.”

So, what will that step be?