It's hard to believe we're already halfway through 2026.
One thing I've learned over the years is that time is going to keep moving whether we're paying attention or not. That's why I've made it a habit to set annual goals, revisit them regularly, and share my progress publicly.
At the end of 2025, I shared my personal and business goals for 2026. Now that we've reached the halfway point of the year, it's time for a check-in.
In this episode, I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what's working, what's not, what goals are on track, and where I need to refocus for the second half of the year.
We'll talk about everything from health goals and reducing stress to business growth, podcast downloads, content creation, and the realities of running a business in today's economy.
My hope is that this episode encourages you to pause and do your own mid-year review. Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop, reflect, and make intentional adjustments before the year gets away from you.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Progress toward my personal health and wellness goals
- What I've learned about slowing down, reducing stress, and prioritizing recovery
- My progress toward maxing out my Roth IRA in 2026
- Why my honeymoon and wedding plans have shifted
- Efforts to reduce screen time and be more intentional with technology
- What the first half of 2026 has taught me about managing a full life
- The current state of City Girl Savings and our business goals
- Revenue, profitability, and navigating economic uncertainty
- Podcast growth, content creation, and audience building
- Why consistency matters even when results take longer than expected
- The mindset I'm carrying into the second half of the year
This episode is especially helpful if you:
- Set goals at the beginning of the year and haven't revisited them
- Feel behind on your personal or financial goals
- Want motivation to reset and refocus for the second half of the year
- Are working toward health, money, or business goals
- Need a reminder that progress isn't always linear
- Want a realistic look at what goal pursuit actually looks like
Why this matters:
Too many people treat goals like a January activity. They set ambitious intentions, get excited for a few weeks, and then never revisit them until December. But real progress happens when you're willing to check in honestly along the way.
A mid-year review isn't about judging yourself for what hasn't happened yet. It's about recognizing what's working, acknowledging what needs adjustment, and deciding how you want to move forward.
Some goals will be ahead of schedule. Some will be behind. Some may need to change entirely. That's not failure. That's life. The goal isn't perfection. The goal is staying engaged with the life you're trying to build. Often, the willingness to reassess and adjust is what ultimately creates the results you're looking for.
Timestamps:
- [02:21] Raya breaks down her progress on her first personal goal of 2026 – improving her health for long-term functioning. This goal was harder to measure, but indicators of growth exist.
- [06:03] Raya's honeymoon and courthouse wedding timeframe has been pushed out. This goal likely will not be achieved in 2026.
- [10:57] After 5 months of no breaks in daily workouts, Raya learned she needs to prioritize recovery (which means more frequent traveling)!
- [14:36] A business goal is to increase newsletter growth by 20%. Currently, this goal is trending about 4%. Raya shares things that can help improve this before the year ends.
Resources Mentioned:
Episode #209: My Personal and Business Goals for 2026
Request a free money call with Raya
City Girl Savings Personal Finance Portfolio
Financial Focus Coaching Program
If you've been feeling behind on your goals, consider this your reminder that there's still plenty of year left. You don't need to wait until January to reset. You don't need a perfect first half of the year to have a strong second half.
The truth is, most meaningful progress doesn't happen in a straight line. Some goals move faster than expected. Others take longer. Some priorities shift completely because life shifts.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the years is that goals aren't just about achieving an outcome. They're about who you become in the process. They're about building consistency, learning from setbacks, making adjustments, and continuing to move forward even when things don't go exactly according to plan.
So if you've fallen behind in an area of your life, give yourself permission to be honest about where you are without judging yourself for it. Then decide what the next best step looks like from here.
Maybe that means recommitting to a goal. Maybe it means adjusting the goal. Maybe it means celebrating progress you've overlooked because you're too focused on what hasn't happened yet.
Whatever your situation, don't let the first half of the year determine the second half. Take time to reflect. Acknowledge how far you've come. Make the adjustments you need to make. Then keep building. Remember: You are not behind…you are building. Consistency compounds. The steady work you're doing now is shaping your next level.
