5 Takeaways from Our Mid-Year Check-In on the DesignDash Podcast

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In Episode 19 of the DesignDash Podcast, Melissa and Laura reflect on their achievements, challenges, and invaluable insights shared by extraordinary guests from the past quarter—including venture capitalist Carrie Colbert, Dress for Success Houston’s Lauren Levicki, content creator Jen White, and burnout expert Avery Thatcher. They discuss setting goals for the rest of the year, ditching the all-or-nothing approach, and finding small but meaningful ways to make progress. Learn how small, intentional changes can lead to major growth and why embracing the present moment is essential for sustainable success.

5 Takeaways from Episode 19 of the DesignDash Podcast

#1 Embrace Small, Intentional Changes

Both Melissa and Laura emphasize the importance of making small, intentional changes rather than adopting an all-or-nothing approach. Avery Thatcher’s insights on burnout highlight that even brief moments of mindfulness can make a major difference. This perspective encourages listeners to take manageable steps toward their goals, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the need for dramatic transformations.

Top Takeaway from Laura: “I have never had this kind of burnout before, but I’m making an effort to come out of it now, so speaking with Avery was really timely. She gave me permission to not be so all or nothing. I used to compact everything into a short amount of time, but I’m giving myself more space to accomplish things [instead of accelerating]. I’m envisioning space around things and now I feel like I can breathe.”

Top Takeaway from Melissa: “I’m a big all or nothing thinker. It doesn’t have to be that way, but it’s so hard [to change your mindset]. I have this cognitive distortion that if I don’t have an hour to devote to mindfulness, it doesn’t matter even though 30 seconds would make a difference. It all goes back to mindfulness and taking that time to be present.”

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#2 Reflect and Recalibrate

The mid-year point is an ideal time for reflection and recalibration. Laura stresses the importance of acknowledging what has been accomplished so far and using this time to adjust goals for the remainder of the year. Melissa focuses on the importance of communication and creating community within her work environment—illustrating that goals can be more about fostering relationships than achieving specific milestones.

Top Takeaway from Laura: “I think I’m an accomplishment junkie, so I definitely write goals down and love to go “check, check, check,” but now I’m giving myself time back and focusing on what I want instead of just “go-go-going.” Moving forward, I am a goal-setter, but I haven’t set anything in stone yet. I’ll carve out a half day to plan soon because we have six months to manifest whatever we want to happen.”

Top Takeaway from Melissa: “I have six months until I turn forty, so I am going to get my yoga teaching certification. I used to be very intentional and had a great meditation practice at home, so [my friend] and I are going to be accountable to each other. In terms of work, one of my biggest focuses is communication. Communication doesn’t necessarily have a timeline but it’s still an important goal.”

#3 Learn from Our Inspirational Guests!

• Carrie Colbert: Her journey from oil and gas engineering to becoming an influencer and later a venture capitalist for women-led businesses inspires listeners to dream big and not limit themselves. She also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one’s achievements instead of being one’s harshest critic.
• Lauren Levicki: Her work-life balance and legacy in Dress for Success Houston underscore the importance of non-negotiables in personal and professional life.
• Jen White: As a successful content creator, she exemplifies how to build a fulfilling side hustle by truly immersing oneself in the work and avoiding the trap of “shoulding” oneself.
• Avery Thatcher: Her expertise in burnout provides practical advice on making small, manageable changes to prevent and recover from burnout.

#4 Prioritize Self-Care and Mindfulness

Melissa and Laura discuss their personal experiences with burnout and the importance of self-care. They share practical mindfulness techniques—like Melissa’s exercise of visualizing tension in the body and assigning it a color to reduce stress. Laura envisions space around each “to-do” so she can breathe and take the time needed instead of pushing herself too hard. This approach not only helps you manage your daily stress but also prevents burnout by encouraging regular, small acts of self-care.

#5 Give Yourself Space and Grace Before Setting Goals for the Future

Melissa and Laura highlight the importance of giving yourself space and grace before diving into future goal-setting. As Melissa notes, “Summer brings clarity as a slower time.” Take these summer months as an opportunity to reassess and plan without the pressure of constant acceleration. We encourage listeners to take a step back, breathe, and allow themselves the grace to set thoughtful and intentional goals for the future.

Final Thoughts on Our Mid-Year Check-In

We encourage you to take some time to slow down, reflect, and recalibrate before diving into setting new goals. Celebrate your achievements so far and think about what you want to adjust or improve. By giving yourself the space to pause and breathe, you can set goals that truly make sense for your personal and professional life. We truly believe that this thoughtful approach will help you move forward in a balanced and sustainable way—ready to tackle whatever comes next!