I intended to write this post on July 2, But looks like I'm going to be full one month late. What's so special about July, Well it was exactly half way in this year. But seems like procrastination is my second name.
But still... better late than never. I need to review the goals I set at the start of this year to see if I'm on right track or completely off the track. So without much ado here the list ...
1) Books - 15 books,
Ha.. I love that this was the first goal I set. The reason being that I have actually crossed more than double of this goals. No kidding. I've actually already read 32 books in this year. So did I committed ultimate cardinal sin of setting a too easy goal.
Well not exactly. The goals was based on how many books I read last year with a resolution that I will read bigger and classics books this year. and in that way the set target was pretty reasonable. So what happened after that.
I changed my job and then transferred to Malaysia for six months. Here my daily routine is much different than back in India. So I found lot of time and hence could finish so many books. Two of the things standing out in my over-achieving of this goals is
a) Measurable - As done last year too. I update my target and progress on goodsread. This helps me to monitor my progress time-wise and know I'm lagging behind or not.
b) Resource availability - I took kindle unlimited membership which allows me to read unlimited amount of books ( in their special archive off course) without paying anything
c) Time resource - As stated earlier also, My daily routine allows me to devote sufficient time to this activity
The most important thing is that I actually like this and this is my one of the most favorite pastime.
Hence passion to achieve this goal is not at all missing.
Here is the link for my Goodread progress.
https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/3890-2016-reading-challenge
2) Blog - 12 full blog posts.
On goal 2 and we're already on the slippery territory
Well this is my sixth blog post. The initial target translated into one blog post one month . So I'm actually one month behind. And maybe more considering this is the end of this month also. This goal is not a piece of cake at all because I'm suffering from writers block which is affecting my other goals also.
a) Measurable - Sure this goals is with the number being exact multiple of the number of months in the year, its also very easy to track too.
b) Resource availability - Writing only one blog post is not really much of the work, So non availability of time is not really an excuse. The problem is not able to find any topic to write.
3) Physical fitness
This is a tricky goal. The measuring parameters that I set earlier were participating in Delhi half marathon and join swimming.
Prima facia I could not acheive both. As I'm in Malaysia and not really practicing racing. Nor did I joined swimming.
But still I would not say that I failed in this goal so far because I have made some progress in improving my physical fitness. I have started waking up early and doing some stretching / basic exercise daily. Attaining physical fitness is perhaps one of the most important goals for me and I still have a long way to go.
a) Measurable - My initial parameters are no more valid now so I set a holy grail of measurable target in physical fitness. WEIGHT LOSS. As per my last medical checkup I was 10 kg overweight. Due to my new routine and problem of food I've already reduced 3 kg. Give of take few hundred grams. My target is to roughly reduce 3 kg more. So the measurable target is 75 kg.
I understand weight loss is not everything in weight loss. But this will be starting step
As for swimming, my apartment has a swimming pool. So I'm doing swimming depending on time availability.
b) Resource - About time resource, I've more or less covered in previous step. But resource in this regards many other thing also. Like joining gym, Foods. Unfortunately I'm not so lucky on those counts. But still I'm trying to do the best I can.
4) Communication - Join toastmaster and complete one stage.
Unfortunately I could not join toastmasters because of time shortage. After - that I though of preparing five speeches and keeping them ready but unfortunately even that too did not happened. Even though the goal of blogging is also someway related to it and the fun activities as watching Hollywood movies also go long way towards improving communication. Still I would considered this goal as part of written and verbal communication and hence other activities cannot replace it wholly.
Good news is still I can catch up on this goals.
STATUS : NO PROGRESS, NEED TO CATCH UP
5) Qualification : Complete my correspondence degree (Optional : check for MBA)
Unfortunately another big failure, for last six months no progress on the same.
PS : Start working on this as soon as I"m back in India
6) Finance : Prepare finance plan, start investing in equity
I don't have a concrete financial plan plus decision to start investing in equity is also on hold due to the prevalent market conditions.
However my finances are better than before, thanks for my new job. Also I'm seriously thinking about buying my own house and hence any decision about investing in equity will need to be put on hold.
7) Recreation : Lean one new hobby
Not able to work on this part as I"m not in India. However I would still lean more about this music.
Another goal on which I need to start acting in however small way possible ASAP
8) Technical : Lean one new software - Solidworks
Another very important goals slipping on
PS : Need to install this as soon as I"m in India or check on google
Achieving this particular skill is really very important for my professional growth.
9) Entrepreneurship : Prepare business plan with road-map
This is one of my long standing dream. But there are many hurdles in the way such as
a) Lack of time (looks like cliche excuse, but there is some element of truth in this)
b) Lack of direction or a business idea : I"m not really sure what exactly I should do
c) Lack of finances : I don't really have any money to invest in this so the business model needs to be the one with almost zero starting capital required.
That all, Phew ! Good that I do-not have a big list. As clear from above, a lot of goals planned at the start of the Year are totally neglected.
I very urgently need to set up a time-table for regular follow up on these goals. Perhaps with each of my blog post, I just need to have a look at the goals to check if I'm missing to workout on anyone.
