In some parts of the world you may be enjoying the highs of summer. You may be about to head on vacation. Whatever your plans are over the coming days, it is time to reflect.

At time of writing, there are 154 days until we celebrate 2019 and think about the year ahead; likely making new promises or commitments. We need to build into our busy lives more time to pause and reflect. To stop and think about our impact, what is working, what we need to adjust and what we have achieved.

If you are going to maximize the months ahead it is time to be brutally honest with yourself...

Here is my prescription for August to ensure I get the best out of the balance of the year:

 1. Ask for feedback

We may think we know how we are doing, but research shows we are not as good at making that determination as we think. Ask those around you for some specific feedback; let them know you plan to do this; share why you are asking so they have context; use a few well thought out questions; ask a broad enough group so you get an accurate picture.

 2. Capture the successes

The achievements of the year so far are important to capture. Write these down and also your thoughts on why each was a success; what went well; what did you do; how were you interacting with others.

3. Be honest about the misses

If you are going to maximize the months ahead it is time to be brutally honest with yourself. What have been the misses so far this year and importantly why? What did you do or not do; what was going on around you; what could you have done differently; what have you learnt and how can you use these insights to change dynamics in the coming months?

4. Refine your leadership plan

Not your business plan, or your objectives, but your personal leadership plan. As a leader (someone who has followers and people watching you) what are you seeking to drive forward, change, implement, deliver? How are you going to refine this for the balance of the year?

5. Keep recharged

To be at our best we need to be recharged. No one can run constantly, so taking the time to recharge is essential. Where have your energy levels been this year? How did they impact your successes and misses, and those around you? Creating time for you to recharge in ways that work for you is an investment you cannot afford to skip.

6. Reflect on your greatest resource

We all have a very precious gift -- time. Time with loved ones; time to impact the world; time to make changes; time to pursue goals. We often overspend this resource on daily work challenges trying to make headway on our plans and goals. We know that ensuring a level of balance makes us more creative, innovative and productive -- how have you done so far this year? As the rest of 2018 plays out, what do you need to do more or less of?

Don’t wait until New Year's Eve. Take time today to pause and reflect.

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[Jay Connolly is Global Chief Talent Officer at law firm Dentons. Connect with him on LinkedIn.]