The Mid-Year Goal Reset Female Founders Actually Need

July is here, and if your January goals are buried somewhere beneath a pile of unopened planners and guilt, you’re not alone. But unlike January, July isn’t weighted down with pressure and perfection. It’s the real fresh start, without the “new year, new me” nonsense.

Let’s call it what it is: a permission slip to reset. Guilt-free. Drama-free. Deadline-optional.

And if no one’s told you yet today: YES, ACTUALLY... it IS a big deal to want more, shift gears, or start over, again.

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The “YES, ACTUALLY” Mindset Shift

Female founders are Olympic-level downplayers of their success. How often have you said:

• “It’s not a big deal, it was just a local award.”

• “I mean, I only made six figures this year…”

• “I’m not a real founder—I just freelance.”

STOP.

Saying “YES, ACTUALLY…” is your founder's version of standing up straighter. It’s a confidence recalibration.

Try this:

• YES, ACTUALLY… I’m ready to raise my prices.

• YES, ACTUALLY… I am a founder.

• YES, ACTUALLY… I’m not doing that sh*t anymore.

This mindset is what Built on YES is built on. It’s a recalibration of self-worth and sustainability. It’s saying YES to doing things differently—and YES to doing less, better.

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Why July > January

Let’s be honest...January is performative. July is personal.

Forget the pressure to overhaul your life after a champagne toast. July gives you space to reset without all the noise. That’s why this is your moment to reflect and regroup, intentionally.

Erin's Sustainable Goal Categories:

Use these to check in with yourself:

• Productivity: Where’s your time and energy going?

• Movement: Are you taking care of your body?

• Creativity: What’s inspiring you—or not?

• Purpose: Are your “yeses” aligned with what actually matters?

  
  

2 Game-Changing Prompts & The 5-Year Rule

Before diving into SMART Goals, start with these two questions:

1. What’s working right now?

2. What’s not working right now?

Then try this: The 5-Year Rule – If everything stays the same for the next five years, how does that make you feel?

If that made your stomach drop… you’ve got your signal. It’s time to course correct.

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Real Founder Inventory (aka Erin’s Reset)

Productivity:

• Delegate more (already happening ✅)

• Tidy up digital chaos

• Be two weeks ahead on blogs by end of July

• Full content system set by end of August

• Email marketing fully handed off by September

Movement:

• Walk 4x/week ✅

• Strength train 5x/week ✅

• Add 1 yoga class/week

Creativity:

• Nightly watercolor = working

• Need more creative input (books, podcasts, joy stuff)

• Get more data for Built on YES content strategy

Purpose:

• Too many yeses = too much stress

• Define weekly meeting limit

• Remove calendar clutter

• Keep only top 3 philanthropic projects

  
  

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How to Make It Real: SMART Goals for Founders

Set goals that are:

Specific 

Measurable 

Achievable 

Relevant 

Time-bound

Example: "By July 31, I will be two weeks ahead on blog content.” 

Not: “Get better at blogging.”

Simple. Focused. Achievable. That’s how you build momentum.

Final Thought: YES, ACTUALLY… You Can Reset Anytime

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.

Whether you’re overwhelmed, under-inspired, or stuck in a routine that’s quietly draining you, use this as your nudge.

Say it with me:

YES, ACTUALLY… I am courageous, capable, and strong. 

YES, ACTUALLY… I can reset. Today.