Halfway Through 2025: Time to Reflect and Celebrate Progress
Heyyy BCBA Ruby Here!
Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025? It feels like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year with fresh goals, big dreams, and new intentions. Now, as we stand in the middle of the year, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on all that we’ve accomplished—and what’s still ahead.
If you’re a parent, a BCBA, or just someone who has set personal or professional goals for the year, take a moment to reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re going. You’ve already made it halfway, and that in itself is something to be incredibly proud of.
Taking Stock of Your Goals
Remember those New Year’s resolutions? The ones you were so excited to set? Now that we’re at the halfway mark, it’s time to check in. How are those goals looking now? Are you on track, or have some of them taken a backseat? Either way, that’s okay.
The point isn’t to judge yourself or feel guilty for goals that may not be fully realized yet—it’s about recognizing how far you’ve come and adjusting what needs to be adjusted. Maybe some goals have evolved, and that’s perfectly fine! Life changes, and so do our goals.
If you’re in the midst of your ABA career or raising a child with autism, you’ve likely seen growth, whether big or small. As a parent, you may have worked hard to implement strategies at home, advocate for your child, or simply create a more structured and supportive environment. As a BCBA, you’ve probably continued to refine your skills, learn new techniques, and guide your clients through their own journeys.
Recognizing Wins and Progress
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to celebrate the wins along the way. Even the smallest victories deserve to be celebrated. Have you had a breakthrough with a client? Did your child finally make progress in an area they’ve been struggling with? These moments are proof of your hard work and dedication.
Take a moment to recognize the wins that may feel like small steps but are actually monumental. For parents, it might be a calm day or a new skill your child has mastered. For BCBAs, it could be making a connection with a client or collaborating with a team in a meaningful way. Every step forward is progress.
The Importance of Reflection and Adjusting Goals
Reflecting on your goals mid-year isn’t just about celebrating accomplishments. It’s also about evaluating what’s working and what isn’t. Have any of your goals changed or evolved since January? Are there areas where you can push harder, or perhaps, ease up?
For example, if you’re a BCBA, you may have had big plans to advance your professional development or expand your caseload. Now is the perfect time to look at how those plans have gone and see if there’s room to adjust based on new information, time constraints, or even personal burnout. If you’re a parent, maybe you had goals related to your child’s behavior or social skills. Reflecting now can help you see what’s working and where you need to pivot.
Sometimes, adjusting goals doesn’t mean abandoning them—it means being flexible and patient with yourself and the process. Life doesn’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. The goal is to keep moving forward, even if the path looks different than you thought it would.
Self-Care and Adjusting Priorities
One thing that often gets pushed aside during our goal-chasing is self-care. Halfway through the year is a great time to check in on your own well-being. Have you been taking care of yourself, or have you been running on empty? As parents and professionals in the ABA field, it’s easy to get caught up in taking care of others, but you can’t pour from an empty cup.
If you haven’t already, consider carving out time for yourself. Whether it’s scheduling a solo day out, taking a mental health break, or simply resting, you deserve it. Taking care of yourself will not only benefit you but also benefit the people you care about—your children, your clients, your colleagues.
Looking Forward: What’s Next?
The second half of 2025 is waiting, and it’s a great opportunity to set new intentions or refine your goals. Whether you’ve accomplished everything you set out to do or you’re still on the journey, it’s not too late to recalibrate.
Are there new opportunities on the horizon? Maybe you want to dive deeper into a new area of ABA, or perhaps your child is ready for new challenges. Whatever it is, embrace it with an open heart. The next six months are full of potential, and you have the power to shape them.
