Three Intentions I'm Carrying Into the Second Half of the Year
by Margie DuBois, CPC
July 8, 2026
The halfway point of the year is one of my favorite times to pause and reflect.
By July, we've gathered enough data to see what's working, what's not, and what may need to change. We've experienced wins worth celebrating, challenges we didn't anticipate, and habits that moved us toward or away from the life we’re trying to build.
Without a mid-year check-in, it’s easy to slip into autopilot and lose sight of the priorities we were so excited about in January.
Before I make plans for the months ahead, I like to pause and ask myself:
What went well during the first half of the year?
What do I want more vs. less of in my life?
What are my non-negotiables for the rest of the year?
As I did my mid-year reflection the other week, I identified three intentions to carry into the second half of the year:
1. Spend less time on my phone.
Like most people, I’d love to spend less time on my phone.
I’ve thought more about this intention, I've realized it isn't just about the amount of time I spend on it. It's also about when I'm using it, and why.
There are plenty of moments when I genuinely enjoy using my phone. Sometimes I end the day laughing at Instagram reels (here’s my favorite account these days), texting friends, or catching up on Marco Polo. Those moments bring me joy, and I don't regret them.
Conversely, there are other times where my phone erodes my ability to be fully present. I’ll reach for it when I sit down to read a book, go for a walk, or explore somewhere new on a vacation. Ironically, those are also some of the moments with the greatest potential for joy, creativity, and wonder. They’re experiences I don’t want to dilute with a screen.
So ultimately, this intention is about about both spending less time on my phone and being more intentional about when I use it .I don't want to look back on my life and realize I’ve missed out on the most beautiful memories.
To ensure I’m successful with making the change, I’m practicing my go-to phone boundaries, including having it out of arms reach when I’m doing focused work, eating food, or in my bed.
My husband and I are also leaving our phones in a drawer when we’re spending quality time together or with our son. It's a simple visual reminder that our phones don't need to join every conversation, every meal, or every ordinary moment.
2. Get crystal clear on my priorities.
Jim Collins once said: “If you have more than three priorities then you don’t have any.”
This year has been a major building year for my business. Over the past few months, I've invested in an intensive business program with Amy Porterfield while also working with a financial coach to strengthen the long-term vision for both my business and our family's future.
Those investments have helped me realize something important:
If I want to build the business and life I'm dreaming about, these can't just be things I'm excited about. They have to become non-negotiables with how I spend my time.
Like so many entrepreneurs (and humans), it’s easy to get distracted by shiny objects or lose steam for challenging programs like the ones I’m in. There will always be another project, another opportunity, or another reason to put the important work on hold.
But if I don’t finish these learning experiences and put them into practice, many of the other goals I'm dreaming about simply won't happen.
So my intention for the second half of the year is simple: own these priorities to the full extent. Fall in love with the process, and see it through.
3. Dream a little bigger.
This one feels more vulnerable to share.
I've realized that even as someone who teaches confidence and human-centered leadership for a living, it's still easy to play it safe. And while I’ve definitely practiced courage this year, I still find myself playing in the safety zone.
As I've been working through my financial planning and business strategy this year, I've found myself asking a different question:
What would I pursue if I fully believed I was capable of building it? And what does the career and life of my dreams actually look like?
So my final intention for the second half of the year is to dream a little bigger. To put pen to paper and write down numbers that make me uncomfortable. To put myself out there, and ask for help. To trust in the coaches and experts who are supporting me, and more importantly — to trust the process.
I don’t want to look back at my life and realize that I didn’t set big enough goals because I wasn’t sure if I could achieve them.
. . .
As you think about the months ahead, I'd encourage you to pause for a few quiet moments and ask yourself:
Where can you give yourself more credit?
What do you want more vs. less of in your life?
What actions could you take today that would help you show up as the person you want to become?
Then imagine waking up on January 1 of next year and realizing this became one of your most fulfilling years.
The second half of the year doesn't have to be about doing more. It’s often about being more intentional with what you know you already need to do.
