We are just over halfway through the year, if you can believe it.

I think this halfway point is a good moment to pause and take stock.

With that in mind, I’ve got a few questions for you to consider how you want to approach the remainder of 2023.

#1 What skills do you want to improve upon this year?

Skills are at the heart of growth. This might sound obvious, but I think it's easier sometimes to focus on tactics, outputs, and getting things done than it is on our own internal growth and development.

This is especially common with communications. Generally speaking, I see a lot of focus on how to use tools to produce more content, faster. Which is fine to a degree, but tools and tactics aren't everything. It bears considering: how well are we able to effectively communicate, both personally and professionally? How we can strengthen our ability to effectively and authentically express ourselves and connect with other people? In other words, how can we strengthen and finetune our communications skills?

If this is a subject that interests you, check out my latest Coaching with Cam episode on The Storytelling with Heart Podcast. I walk you through five fundamental communications principles. The cool thing is, these principles translate really well to skill development. They are things that you (and your team) can strengthen and improve upon, no matter your starting point.

Listen at all the usual spots: my website, Spotify, Apple podcasts, Google, Amazon, Stitcher, and anywhere else you listen.

#2 What would you like help with this year?

I love to do things my own way. I am a true soloist at heart. But even the most die hard “go-my-own-way” types (myself included! 🙋) can benefit from support, collaboration, coaching, or just good old fashioned human connection. As my client, friend, and podcast guest Molly Galbraith likes to say, we are better together.

So, as you take stock for the rest of the year, consider what you’d like help with. Are there people you can recruit, invite in, or hire to support you—or just make the process more fun?

With that in mind, if you need help with…

….building your communications skills (or helping your team build theirs)

…. growing your thought leadership and reputation

…improving your internal or external communications, or

….developing some truly kick-ass written materials (like a keynote, book, or certification)

Well, that’s what I’m here for. :)

I’m currently booking for fall/winter right now. Note that my services typically book up months in advance, so if you are interested in potentially working together, I highly recommend adding yourself to my wait list now: www.camilledeputter.com/waitlist

There’s no commitment, but adding yourself to my list will highly increase your chances of working with me and getting the support you need, when you need it.

Add yourself here: www.camilledeputter.com/waitlist

#3 Do you need a break before you begin whatever’s next?

Okay, truth time.

I arrived at a point this year when I realized that I really, truly needed a break.

Not just a break from client work but a break from thinking. And doing. And planning. And trying to figure out all of the things all of the time. :)

The past few years have been so turbulent for all of us. And somewhere in the rush of trying to keep up, trying to push through, trying to get “life back”, and trying to keep it all together, I forgot just how badly I needed a break.

So, I’m committed to doing less this summer. Aside from serving a few select clients, I am giving myself permission to step away from some of my usual activities and just have some more breathing room.

I’m telling you this because… maybe you need the same?

Perhaps before taking on your next big project or ambitious set of goals, you too need an opportunity to just… do less.

So, check in with yourself. Ask yourself what you need before diving into the next thing. And if you’ve been waiting for someone to tell you that it’s break time, consider it done.

In the next few newsletters, you’ll see that I’m drawing from some of my archived material. That’s partly because I think there’s some hidden gems you might enjoy. But it’s also to give myself a bit of a break.

Consider this your permission slip to do the same.

The Halfway Mark + 3 Prompts For What's Next