#54. Reflecting on the First Half of 2024: Journal Questions for SLPs
Time flies, especially in a busy profession like speech-language pathology. As we hit the midway point of the year, it's the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and recalibrate your goals. Whether you started the year with clear objectives or are just now taking stock, this is your chance to ensure the next six months are as productive and fulfilling as possible. Keep reading for some simple yet powerful reflection questions that can guide you toward a successful second half of 2024.
As the second half of 2024 begins, it’s a perfect time for SLPs to pause, reflect, and realign. The year may be flying by, but there’s still plenty of time to achieve your goals and make meaningful progress. In a recent episode of the "Your Speech Path Podcast," a series of thoughtful journal questions were shared to help you check in with yourself and ensure you're on the right track. Here’s a breakdown of how to use these reflection questions to assess your progress and set yourself up for success in the months ahead.
Start with Reflection
First, take a moment to reflect on the goals you set at the start of 2024. What did you aim to achieve in the first six months? Review your plans—whether they’re written in a journal, documented in a Google Doc, or displayed on a vision board. If you didn’t set specific goals, don’t worry; simply reflect on what has unfolded so far this year.
Assess Your Accomplishments
Ask yourself: What have I accomplished in the past six months? Remember, achievements aren’t just about reaching tangible milestones like revenue targets or project completions. They can also include more qualitative successes, such as spending more quality time with loved ones or establishing a healthy routine. Consider both the big wins and the smaller, yet significant, changes you’ve made.
Acknowledge What’s Left to Do
Next, reflect on the goals you haven’t yet achieved. Why haven’t you met these goals? It’s crucial to approach this question with honesty and self-compassion. Avoid making excuses or glossing over the reasons why things didn’t go as planned. This reflection is an opportunity to understand what held you back so you can course-correct for the remainder of the year.
Plan for the Next Six Months
Now that you’ve assessed the first half of the year, it’s time to plan for the second half. Consider what, if anything, you want to change about your goals. Given what you know now, how can you adjust your vision for the rest of 2024? Whether it’s tweaking your benchmarks or setting entirely new goals, use this fresh perspective to guide your planning.
Prioritize Your Time
Finally, think about how you want to spend your time in the next six months. What do you want to do more of? What do you want to do less of? Time is a valuable resource, and how you allocate it can make a significant impact on your professional and personal growth. By consciously deciding where to focus your energy, you can ensure that the remainder of 2024 is both productive and fulfilling.
Join the Conversation
Take these reflections to heart and use them as a foundation for your continued growth. Join our SLP Support Group on Facebook to connect with fellow professionals and share insights and strategies.