Last week, we had a great call with folks who responded to my invitation for a mid-year reboot session.

One thing is for sure, and that is we all need a mid-year reboot. When you reboot your computer, you are in essence forcing it to stop processing just for a time. This helps reduce the clutter that builds when the computer is in constant process mode, causing it to slow down considerably.

We sometimes think that if we just work harder and faster and more and more and more, we will somehow catch up and get everything done. In actuality, it works the opposite – the processor gets cluttered and slows to a point of less productivity.

And so we need a mid-year reboot – a time when we revisit those New Years Resolutions and goals (you DO remember those, right?) and see how we’re doing on reaching them. It is NOT a time to beat ourselves up for not reaching perfection and accomplishing every goal. It’s a time to be realistic about what was done and what wasn’t…and why.

Some goals may have been replaced with better and more meaningful opportunities. It’s okay to let them go or postpone them if that is the case. Some goals were not accomplished because little things overwhelmed them. THAT is not okay. This is where a reboot kicks in to turn those goals back on while you still have time.

Here’s a quick REBOOT checklist.

Review your goal list (and that means it has to be in writing).

Engage help. If you have not reached your goals because you have too much to do, you need an assistant. If you have not reached your goals because you are not motivated enough, you need a coach.

Be realistic. If your goal was to lose 20 pounds a week, start a profitable business in a month, move to a new house in 6 weeks, learn to play the piano before summer, and get your masters degree in one semester – well, that’s not quite realistic. Set goals high – high enough to make you stretch way beyond your comfort zone – but not to impossible levels.

Only choose three main things at a time. Ten things may sound good, but it’s likely you won’t hit any if you spread yourself that thin. Choose three at a time. It creates focus.

Organize. Declutter. If time commitments are standing in your way, it may be time to pare down some of the things that you don’t need to be doing. In this day and age, over-commitment is one of THE biggest obstacles to real success. Busy does not equal progress.

Take time to recharge your battery. It’s summer. Go outside, take a vacation – or even a mini-vacation. Enjoy the tastes and sounds and smells of summer. When we just “stop” and take time to clear our heads, it makes room for clarity and creativity.

I am taking a dose of my own advice here, in fact, and will be tailoring my schedule in August to allow for rebooting, renewing focus, and planning for next year. I encourage you to do the same.