Mid-Year Reflection for Nurse Leaders: How to Reset, Refocus, and Lead With Balance

Introduction: The Halfway Point Check-In

Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025? The year seems to be flying by — and if you’re like many nurse leaders, this time of year can bring a mix of reflection, pressure, and the realisation that some goals are still sitting on the shelf.

Mid-year is the perfect time to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself. Whether you’re a new nurse manager or a seasoned leader, reflecting on your goals, your progress, and how you're supporting yourself is a vital leadership skill.

Why Mid-Year Reflection Matters for Nurse Leaders

Nurse managers are notorious for prioritising everyone else’s needs above their own. But just like a clinical handover, leadership also requires regular check-ins with yourself.

Asking questions like:

• Am I making progress towards the goals I set?
• Do I need to break them into smaller steps?
• Do I need an accountability buddy to help me stay on track?

And just as importantly:

• Are these goals still relevant?

When Goals Shift, Growth Happens

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that changing a goal is failing. It’s not. Leadership is as much about adaptability as it is about consistency. Sometimes, the process of setting a goal opens doors to something bigger — or something completely different.

Rigid thinking stifles progress. Growth as a nurse leader comes from knowing when to persist and when to pivot.

A Personal Lesson in Goal Setting: What Crochet Taught Me About Leadership

A few years ago, I set myself a personal goal: learn to crochet. I decided I would make four blankets, one for each of my grandchildren.

Spoiler alert: I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

🧶 Here’s what I learned:

1. My goal was unrealistic. What I thought might take months ended up taking two years. I had to revise my expectations and adjust my timeline.
2. Perseverance matters. I didn’t give up. Through trial, error, and a LOT of YouTube tutorials, I eventually finished. It took longer, but the satisfaction was worth it.
3. Growth happens in the process. The real win wasn’t the finished blankets. It was what I learned about patience, slowing down, and giving myself permission to be a beginner.

The Leadership Parallel: Slowing Down to Speed Up

Crochet became more than a hobby. It became a form of mindfulness — my version of yoga for the brain.

As a nurse leader, I used to believe I had to be busy all the time. That constant running was the only way to be effective. But the truth is, slowing down, getting quiet, and stepping out of the constant rush is where clarity, creativity, and better leadership happen.

This is just as true for your professional goals as it is for personal ones.

How Nurse Leaders Can Reset Mid-Year: 5 Simple Steps

1. Review your goals. Which are on track? Which need adjusting?
2. Break them down. Small steps create momentum.
3. Release perfection. It's okay to pivot.
4. Find an accountability partner. Coaching, peer support, or a trusted colleague can make all the difference.
5. Schedule downtime. Time to reflect isn't a luxury—it's a leadership strategy.

Inspiration for Your Growth Journey

“In the quiet moments, when the world's noise fades into the background, you find yourself alone with your thoughts. There is a serene magic in these instances... This is your voice, raw and unfiltered, waiting to be heard above the clamour of expectations and judgment.”

— Excerpt from ‘The Silence’ – Cohumans Project ( Instagram)

🎧 What I’m Listening to This Month

• Podcast: The Real Toxins Are In Your Mind – with a Shaolin Master (Begin Again with Davina McCall). Listen Here

• Real Nurse Stories: Cynthia Delgado’s 33-year mental health nursing journey and her PhD on resilience and emotional labour. Listen here

📰 Articles Worth Reading

• How AI Can Reduce the Burden of Nursing Documentation — and Why Nurses Need to Engage With AI. Read here

Ready to Reset Your Nurse Leadership Journey?

If this blog has sparked something in you—whether it's the need to check in, slow down, or refocus—I invite you to take the next step.

👉 Book a complimentary Nurse Leader Strategy Call and let’s talk about how I can help you lead with more clarity, confidence, and calm for the rest of 2025. Book Here

💙 Final Thoughts

Leadership isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. And sometimes, like my crochet journey taught me, it’s okay if what matters changes along the way.