Norton: Halftime adjustments
In sports, halftime is more than a breather; it’s a recalibration. It’s a chance for coaches and players to analyze what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change to win.
Even with hours of prep and film study, surprises happen. The opposing team may roll out a new strategy. Injuries change the game. Momentum swings. And regardless of the scoreboard, teams don’t coast. Even when they’re up by 20, great teams use halftime to regroup and refocus. Because one good half doesn’t win the game.
So here we are, our own halftime. Six months into the year. The locker room of life. What’s our score? Are we winning, losing, or tied?
Some of us may be riding high, crushing goals, building relationships, and running on momentum. If that’s you, celebrate the wins, but don’t take your foot off the gas. What got you here may not get you through the next six months. Double down on what’s working and stay humble. Great teams don’t assume the second half will be just like the first.
Others might find themselves breaking even. You’re in the game, but not ahead. Like a team tied at the half, you’ve got options: you can settle, or you can surge. The second half is wide open, and a clear shift in strategy, attitude, or energy could create that breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.
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And then there are those of us who feel like the first half hit like a blitz. The losses weren’t just on paper; they were personal. Maybe you lost a job, a deal, a relationship, or even someone you loved. Maybe the hits were emotional, financial, or physical. And no amount of preparation could’ve stopped the storm that came.
If that’s your halftime story, hear this: the second half is not cancelled.
This is where I want to offer real encouragement. I’ve seen too many people write off the rest of the year when the first half goes sideways. They call it a “lost season” and start counting down to Jan. 1. That mindset will keep you down. As the saying goes, fighters don’t lose because they get knocked down. They lose because they stay knocked down.
It’s time to get back up.
Zig Ziglar said, “If we don’t like who we are, what we are, and where we are, we can change who we are, what we are, and where we are by changing what we put into our mind.” That’s not theory. That’s the truth. Our mindset is the control center of our outcomes. And what we feed it matters: positivity, scripture, wise counsel, hope.
And if we’ve been brought to our knees in the first half, maybe our second half starts right there, on our knees in prayer. Surrender doesn’t mean defeat. It means you’re no longer trying to fight every battle alone. God has been with you every step of the way. He’s not leaving you now. In fact, He’s waiting for you to lean in. Whether it’s prayer, community, or trusted advisors, tap into your sources and resources. This is not the time to isolate.
I’ve lived through my share of rough first halves. Seasons where the light at the end of the tunnel seemed far off. But I’ve also lived to see how everything can change in a matter of months. If we choose to shift. If we choose to believe. If we choose to act.
Now is the time to regroup, recharge, and realign. Let’s make the adjustments. Let’s take the lessons from the first half and apply them with fire to the second.
Let’s not just play the second half. Let’s win it. Let’s go.
Where are you halfway through 2025? What is your second-half strategy? If you would like to know more about my faith or why I rely on it so much, or if you just want to share your story, I would love to hear it at gotonorton@gmail.com. And whether we are maintaining our lead or building our comeback strategy, when we play both halves with passion and purpose, it really will be a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager, and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
