As summer heats up in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s a natural time to evaluate my year so far and assess my goals — after all, now that it’s June we’re halfway through.

How are you feeling about the year so far?

A few of my clients have answered this question in a dissatisfied way in recent weeks. They wanted their business to be earning more or their body to be weighing less by now. Some wanted to be in a new relationship they adore or out of an old job they hate.

The good news: mid year is a great time to kick-start change and begin again. In terms of my goals, it marks the start of my “halfway there” mode, when my focus sharpens and my motivation peaks.

You don’t need a new calendar year or a list of resolutions to get yourself on track.

The best way to kick off any positive movement? First, stop being so hard on yourself. Acknowledge the good things you’ve already accomplished this year. And they exist, even if it doesn’t seem like it—I promise!

Step One: Reflect

If ever I feel as though the year isn’t shaking out as I’d hoped, I find that I can recalibrate with my goals by asking myself the following…

1. What unexpected lessons did I learn this year so far?

Did you discover a new favorite author or workout class? Learn to stop trusting a friend who doesn’t deserve your confidence? Stand up for yourself at work? Did you say yes to a spontaneous date, trip, or seminar? You don’t need to start a new job, run a marathon, or have a thriving side hustle to have made progress. Heck – even turning something down this year (with relief) that you would have said yes to one year ago (just to please others) is a great sign of growth!

2. Have my desires shifted?

Think about that for a second. Do you still want the same things you did in January? Maybe your true desires have changed, but you still hold yourself to an old blueprint that leaves you feeling heavy and uncertain. Perhaps you wanted a promotion but really want a career change. Maybe you wanted to move to a new city, but you’ve met someone romantically who lives in your current town.

A friend of mine quit her job at an investment bank to travel when her January goal was to get promoted. My client is going through a divorce when she thought this would be the year of the baby. Life is dynamic and ever-changing so it’s natural (and good!) for your desires to shift too. You’re also allowed to change your mind. In fact, the fast-moving evolution of life is encouraging. If you let it be.

Step Two: Set Goals

In the spirit of moving toward what you want (and it’s OK if it’s the same things you wanted in January), it’s time to get busy.

1. Write down three specific things you really, really, really want.

Imagine on New Year’s Eve a friend asks how 2017 was for you, and you answer, “Incredible!” (and mean it). What are three things that would need to change between now and then?

Be as specific as you can. No one knows what you truly want but you. Will you have taken an overseas adventure to France, earned extra income on the side as a yoga instructor, received a 20 percent raise, or gotten a dog? Write. It. Down. My goals are on my vision board – front and center where I see them every day.

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2. Set goals (and a timeline) for each desire.

Six months is a very long time! You can do so much between now and December 31. Using the above examples, you could set out and accomplish the following goals.

Travel to France: Research flights and hotels online, evaluate funds, book time off work, and then buy the damn ticket to Paris.

Get a raise: Submit a brilliant project at work or go the extra mile in a way your manager will appreciate. When timing feels right, ask your boss for a 10-minute meeting where you share your salary increase request.

Earn money by teaching yoga: Create a list of 100 friends you can email about your new side gig. Tell the first three clients you’ll teach them for free in exchange for testimonials. Promote these kick-ass testimonials everywhere you can. Can anyone say Side Hustle success?

Adopt a dog: Research breeds. Visit shelters. Understand the costs and commitments of owning a pet and make sure it makes sense for your lifestyle right now. Go get one.

In fact, if you’re truly inspired, you could probably do all of this in one month (or less). It really is that simple. Your only barriers are probably emotional.

It’s amazing what happens when our beliefs become aligned with our desires. When we get clear on what we really want and remind ourselves how capable we are, we can’t help but become motivated to take action.

We kind of become unstoppable.

So if you are starting this summer with discontent, remember the purpose of any pain you experience is not to make you suffer. It’s to drive you to action.

What do you want to achieve by year end? Share with me in the comments box below!