I started the year with optimism. Not everything I set out to accomplish has been achieved, or is even on pace for achievement. However, its been six months worth of accomplishment that I feel good about.

Like most of my readers, in addition to work life,  I’ve been busy being a spouse and a parent this year. There has seemed to be an unending parade of track meets, band concerts, and award ceremonies. Unexpected travel, extra prayer meetings, and a harder than normal winter on the farm sometimes felt as if it was slowing progress.  Meanwhile, the country is  in a recession and real estate (the field where I do alot of my work—even my financial work) may actually be in a depression. That’s contributed to making 2011, in some sense, the most difficult year I’ve ever experienced in business.

2011 has also been a year of great accomplishment. Here’s just a sample of what I’ve / we’ve accomplished so far this year in addition to churning out everyday work:

1. We broke the profit centers of our company into individual operating companies established with their own identities and operating autonomously from one another. That is one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made. It’s has grossly simplified management of each of our profit centers.
2. We’ve reduced the vacancy rate in our rental portfolio by more than 80%; down to a manageable level. (I’d say “acceptable” but I won’t rest until we have 100% occupancy. So for now I’ll call it “manageable.”)
3. Our new retail real estate sales organization got off the ground after a false start with a major franchisor in late 2010. The company is operational, has closings under its belt, a website up and running with daily updates….it’s a real real estate company. Check out Greater Springfield Realtors.
4. Outlined my book and wrote six chapters of it.
5. Traveled to Nicaragua and taught the first six chapters of my book.
6. Spent a week in Nicaragua (missions), a week in Costa Rica (vacation), a week in Louisville (education), and ten days in Hawaii (trip with my daughter’s high school band plus a few days of vacation), plus a few overnight business trips.
7. Finished my graduate degree, 26 years after I started it. (This was arduous, painful and to ALOT of time. But I got all A’s in the final year and a half.)
8. Completed a certification that took about 120 hours of study (separate from the graduate degree but similarly painful.)
9. Had a major intellectual capital breakthrough designing what my bigger future looks like. I’m excited about what’s coming up next in in the new release of JBW version III.
10. Conducted four investment seminars.

Despite the fact that there are some things I have not accomplished, and I’m behind on a few things, I’d have to call the first six months of this year a success. The best thing is that as I look forward to the rest of the year, I’ve cleaned the decks of MANY things that have been standing in my way and hanging over my head. My future is very clear, and very focused. I’m really excited about what the next six months holds for me, my family and our companies.

I’m expecting to prosper!

How about you? What’d you accomplish this six months. Type it out and send me the list. I’d love to hear how you are progressing and growing into the person you want to become.