I know this is like a super-delayed 3rd quarter update, considering that we are pretty much at the end of the 4th and final quarter of the year, but I just had to put this out there before the end of this year, so that I can start 2018 with a clean slate, and not by obsessing over unfinished business from 2017.
Having said that, I never intended to procrastinate this post. It just completely slipped my mind that I hadn’t actually published it. I know that is terrible and inexcusable for any self-respecting blogger, but I’ve just had an overwhelmingly full plate of things that I’ve either needed or wanted to do, and I am at the point where I have to admit to myself (if no one else) that sometimes I cannot do it all.
Especially because this year hasn’t been the best year for me health-wise either, which is why I had to take a step back, and prioritize my health, and also my family, above other things. And sometimes that meant that some of those other things fell through the cracks, and I just had to be okay with that.
Also, while I am on the subject, I wanted to let you folks know (in case you missed the update on social media some months back, or haven’t already figured it out) that I hadn’t set any goals for the final quarter of the year (so clearly there wouldn’t be an update post either), as I wanted to take a quarter off to relax and rejuvenate, so to speak.
But this does not mean that I am phasing out this series. It was just a much needed break, and I will be back on the Quarterly Goals bandwagon from the next year, so you can expect the next Quarterly Goals post in the first week of January, albeit in a slightly new avatar.
Anyway, after that long-ish intro, let me get started on the thing that I’m writing this post for – an update on how my third quarter goals went.
Quarterly Goals
If this is the first time you are here, and you have no idea what these Quarterly Goals posts are all about, and why I do them in the first place, you can check out this post.
But here is the gist – every quarter I set between 10-20 goals for myself (spanning several areas of my life), and I review these goals at the end of the quarter. If I manage to accomplish 75% (or more) of these goals, then I declare the quarter a win. If not, I get to come to this very-public platform and announce a fail, which is so not fun. But as it happens, public humiliation works as a strong motivator, so I stick to this format.
Now coming to the particular goals I am reviewing today, if you are interested in reading why I set the goals I set for the past quarter, you can check it out here.
So now without further ado, let’s get started with the update, and see if this quarter was a win or a fail.
Blogging Goals – for the New Food Blog (3/5)
Before I get into the goals, there is something that I need to say. I just realized that while over the last year, I have chewed all your ears off by talking endlessly about how I want to start a food blog, and all the million tasks I need to do before I get there, I’ve never really shared the name or the site, so here goes – *drumroll please* introducing The Love of Spice.
I’ll do an official announcement post when I actually start posting on there (which is going to be really soon), but for now, I thought it’s ridiculous to keep saying ‘new food blog’ when we have a name.
Okay now coming to the goals, as far as The Love of Spice is concerned, I have successfully completed 3 /5 goals – I have finalized the blog header & the logo (picture below) which by the way were designed by the very talented Sid Balachandran, who I have to say was pretty awesome from concept to execution.
Next, my hubby helped me buy & set up the theme & iron out the initial kinks, so while there are no recipes or posts yet, the food blog is live, and pretty much in its final avatar.
The 2 goals that I failed at, were actually posting 2 recipes on the blog and 1 video on YouTube. It’s not like these were overly ambitious goals, but like I said earlier, my plate was already ridiculously full, so adding things successfully needed careful planning and a lot of discipline, which I have to admit I was lacking in.
Having said that, while I think the YouTube thing will still take some time, because I had underestimated the learning curve and overestimated the time I had to work on it, I am really glad to announce that the food blog should have its very first recipe post in under a week, so yay! ?
I mean it is still a fail for the quarter, but I can’t bring myself to be upset about it, when I am this close to the finish line. 😀
Blogging Goals – for Shanaya Tales (2/2)
Here I had (thankfully) kept it simple, the only two goals I had here were to catch up on 4 review commitments & 3 pending reviews, all of which I managed to do, so 2 straight wins for the quarter. Go, me! 😀
Bookish & Reading Goals (0/2)
Okay so this was a total failure, and I only have myself and my over-abundant optimism to blame.
The first goal here was to read 2 books from the ones that I already owned, but I couldn’t do it. Though I guess I should have anticipated this, because with me, the books that either have review commitments or the ones from the library that are on a deadline, always take precedence over books that I own, and so unfortunately the owned books inevitably fall prey to procrastination.
But of-course I need to get to the ones I own, so it was a good goal, it’s just that I’m still pretty bad at actually getting this done.
Now the second goal here was supposedly the easier goal among the two, in which all I had to do was exercise some self-control, and NOT request new books from NetGalley. But considering I’ve never had any self-control when it comes to books, not surprisingly, I failed at this too.
Health & Fitness Goals (1/1)
I had one health and fitness goal, which was a step goal 3 times a week, and I did accomplish it, but I think I’ve been too easy on myself in this department, as this was hardly a challenge.
However, over the last month, I have made some progress when it comes to consistent cardio and strength training, and so in the next year I will be setting some goals that will actually challenge me.
Home & Family Goals (1/2)
Here I had two goals, one was to complete our kitchen back-splash project, and the second was to finish sorting and organizing all the digital photos and videos that I have stored at several random places.
The back-splash project was completed, so that was a win, and as far as the second goal is concerned – if you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you know that this is the one goal that gets pushed from one quarter to the next without ever getting done, and that was pretty much the case this quarter as well.
But I have to say that quarterly goals aside, this was a task I had procrastinated for 5 years, and this year, even though I have failed at getting it done every quarter, I have made tremendous progress, and I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. So while this is a fail for now, I am really happy with my progress.
FINAL SCORE: 7/12 goals, which means I accomplished only 58% of the goals I set, so this quarter was fail, but well, I tried. And since I am doing this update post months after when it was due, I am actually closer to accomplishing a lot of what I failed at, so things are looking up. Silver linings. 🙂
That’s all from my end, folks. I will be back soon with my goals for the brand new year. In the meanwhile, I would love to hear from you guys. Do you guys set quarterly goals too? Or goals in general? How do you guys track them? Do share!
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The #ChattyBlogs Linky: A monthly linky which goes up on the 15th of every month, and is open for 2 weeks.
Here’s how it works:
- Write a chatty/rambly post – it could be a deep, thought-provoking one or even a random ramble. No judgement here.
- At the bottom of your post – add the #ChattyBlogs badge, and link to this post (which hosts the linky) to encourage other bloggers to join in.
- Add your link to the #ChattyBlogs linky.
- Visit and comment on the fellow bloggers’ post in the linky.
- Enjoy!
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Note: I have created a twitter handle for ChattyBlogs & registered the actual hashtag #ChattyBlogs. So, when you do write and link up your posts, please do use the hashtag & I will be sure to RT & share it.
You can also connect via the Chatty Blogs Facebook Page, on which I will be sharing all the posts that are linked up every month.
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Vishal Bheeroo
Achieving 7 out of 12 is no mean feat. There are few goals that I missed book wise and looking forward to better things for myself in the new year, be it the forever delayed book, my entertainment website which, by the way, has already kickstarted on the blog. I shall come with a brand new entertainment website with interviews of rising talents and upcoming stars. There are so much to achieve, be it travel, reading or writing. Happy New Year.
Shanaya Tales
True. Miles to go before we sleep. Wishing you a great 2018, Vishal. I hope you achieve all that you hope to accomplish in the coming year. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Mahati ramya adivishnu
I usually don’t set any goals on my blog but yes, I personally set goals for my career, family, health, and hobbies. I track it yearly. I loved the logo of your new food blog. All the best!
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Ramya. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Aditi Kaushiva
I love the name, The Love of Spice, and the header and logo are awesome! I would call it a Win, seriously so much that you accomplished!
Looking forward to an exciting year and reading your food blog!
Aditi Kaushiva recently posted…Hit the Ground Running | Planning for the Year Ahead #AditisPen
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Aditi. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Shilpa Gupte
Congratulations on the food blog, Shantala! Loved the logo and the name, too! Perfect!
And, also congratulations for fulfilling 58% of your goals! Girl, that ain’t bad in any way! I so liked this idea of making quarterly goals, Shan. I think I will do something similar, but in my journal, not on my blog. That way, I won’t get any more brickbats than I am already getting – from myself! 😛 Hehehe
Keep it up, babe..and please please take care of your health!
Shilpa Gupte recently posted…A food fable from my childhood memories. GuestPost by Shalzmojo.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Shilpa. And yes, I will. You have a wonderful year 2018, dearie. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Soumya
7/12 is pretty awesome, you know! Congrats on that!
The new food blog looks so good. The minute I saw the header and the layout, I knew it was Sid! 😀
Your quarterly goals and coming back to look at them inspire me so much. You are a very passionate and hardworking woman and I respect and admire you for that.
Good luck for 2018, Shantala. I’m looking forward to recipes and other food talk on the blog. I love the name, BTW.
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Soumya. For all the support and encouragement. I truly appreciate it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Shalini
Many many many congratulations, Shantala! This is awesome! I can’t wait to see your food blog in full flourish! <3 Good going with your other goals too. But yeah that went over my head. All I want to know is about your food blog now 😛
Shalini recently posted…Soul Searching in Rishikesh
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Shalini. I truly appreciate all the support and encouragement. Hugs. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Kala Ravi
I would say, you did great! For me even setting goals would be a win, and achieving 7/12, super awesome! Woohoo and congrats on the food blog! I know it’s been a dream and you’ve been planning it for some time now, but so great that it is actually taken shape. Not far when you’ll be uploading it with all your lovely recipes. Kudos on doing the book reviews as per target! Reading goals have taken a backseat, but girl, you are out of school, remember? You don’t need to report to anyone on what you read or didn’t! Enjoy and chill! Take care of your health and keep cheering and inspiring us with your lovely posts!
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Kala. I really needed to hear that. Thank you. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Rachna Parmar
You are so methodical, Shantala. But first a big Yay for the food blog. I loved the look and the name and now await to read your recipes. I know how much work goes into foodie posts and even more in the videos so don’t be harsh on yourself. I am waiting to read your posts. I would say that the other goals were reasonably achieved as well. Good going there. Do take good care of your health. Everything else can wait but not health, at least that is my philosophy. Good luck for the next year.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Rachna. Wishing you a wonderful 2018, as well. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Rajlakshmi
Congratulations on the new site. The header and name looks so awesome. I lovedddd it. Such a creative and lovely blog name. Waiting for a new post to be publiShed soon. Congrats on meeting these blog goals. I wish I was this serious about my blog.
It’s the last quarter so take it slow. Enjoy the year end… You have achieved a lot over the year … You should be proud ?
I wish you a wonderful holiday season.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Raj. I am so glad you loved it. Wishing you a wonderful new year 2018. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Lata Sunil
Congrats on the Food Blog. The site looks good and the logo is absolutely spot on. I would say even 58% is a good number considering many new things you have achieved so far. That digital photo project is a pending project for me too. I think the day you will say it is done, i will start mine 😉 so I can procrastinate longer. hehe
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Shanaya Tales
Hehe…well then you have some time, my friend. I can only dream about the day, when I come on here and say it’s done. 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
SHALINI BAISIWALA
Hey congrats on getting the food blog up- looks smashing!! And dont despair over 58% – its just a number! See how much you accomplished.
Sorry to hear you have been facing ill health; 2017 second half has been the same for me and I also took a step back to focus more on my health and sanity! I hope your is better and on the road to springing back!!
I love your chatty blog series and most prob will do my post by end of dec; its late I know but have been busy with a blog hop on my blog this month and its taken up all of my time so far!
Cheers to a bigger and better 2018 not to mention a healthier one!!!
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah, health is something that we need to prioritize, because when that fails, most other things get derailed too. Wishing you a happier, healthier 2018 as well. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Obsessivemom
The only thing that stood out is that your food blog will be up and running in a week. That’s an achievement big enough to make this entire quarter a win. It is admirable how balanced/honest you are when you analyse yourself and your goals. Self-analysis is a gift not everyone has. Loved your idea of targeting to read owned books. I need to get to them too. But like you said the ones that come for review always take priority. Other than that I’m quite happy with my blogging and reading, though fitness would be a fail this year.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Tulika. And yes, that’s exactly what happens. The books that are review commitments take priority, oh and then the library books, so the owned books get procrastinated forever. It’s such a stupid cycle, but I am not able to get out of it. I just need to get better at saying no to review copies, because just being picky is clearly not working. Sigh.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Tarang Sinha
So many goals! I couldn’t even complete my Goodreads reading goal. 🙁
I have just (re) started brisk walking. Trying to control my sugar intake.
And, I loved the name of your food blog! Best wishes. 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much for your wishes, Tarang.
And don’t worry too much about the Goodreads reading challenge. As long as you are reading what you want to and enjoying it, that’s what is most important.
Walking and controlling sugar are great places to start the fitness journey. Wishing you a happy, healthy 2018 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Sanch @ Sanch Writes
Congrats on the new food blog! Love the logo. I’m impressed by your quarterly goals. I’m hoping to have something of that sort next year but thinking more like monthly to keep me accountable and focussed. Health always comes first and good to know you’re taking care of yourself. Hope the rest of 2017 is good for you and I look forward to reading your goals in 2018.
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Sanch. Wishing you a wonderful 2018 too. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
Vinitha
Congratulations on the new food blog, shantala. I love the name – The love of spice. The logo and design look great too. Can’t wait to find out your delicious and doable recipes. 😀 I love this goal setting thing which you are doing quarterly. Even if you can’t accomplish all of them, it gives a clarity and pushes you to focus and get things done. I think I should do something like this too. I had a terrible terrible time last two months. I am hoping to find my bearings. My fitness regimen fell through when we all fell sick at home throughout November. I am trying to get back to my routine now. Glad to know that you are taking care of your health issues. I have made a lot of progress on my reading front which definitely was a surprise to me.
Enjoy the rest of 2017. 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah I know what you mean. Health challenges always put a wrench in our fitness plans. But I guess the key is to just pick up where you left and get back to it. Don’t stress about it, and give your self some grace. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…The Wife Between Us – A Psychological Suspense/Thriller You Do Not Want to Miss!
lisa thomson
Hi Shatala, first congratulations on The love of Spice! The logo is eye-catching. I can’t wait to see your first recipe on there as well as a video! Second, I think 58% is actually a PASS not a fail 🙂 You’ve had a busy year. I’m glad to hear you are feeling better and got some rest from the blog. Blog burnout is a thing, ya know? (says she who is feeling a little burned). Great catch up!!
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, Lisa. I truly appreciate it. 🙂
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Shailaja
Your quarterly goals post is one I enjoy reading much like the gratitude posts by Rachna and Vidya regularly 🙂 They give me so much to smile about in terms of the authenticity and raw honesty.
First, congratulations on the food blog. Yay! And if you went with Sid, no wonder the logo looks super awesome!! And I know you’ll do a great job. Looking forward to 2018 when I can bookmark and follow the recipes.
Fitness seems like a win to me but of course you’d be the best judge of your personal level 🙂
Reading, ahem, you’re way ahead of my curve so let’s say that one is a clear win 😉
I’m so glad that 2017 was mostly good for you. Sorry to hear about the health issues. You must take care of that first. Always. Everything else can wait so don’t beat yourself up.
Hugs and happy vibes for a great 2018 ?
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Shy. And yeah, this year I have had to prioritize health and fitness, so the blog has suffered a bit. But I am doing much better on the health front now, so it’s all looking up, as we head into 2018.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Quarterly Goals Update + Food Blog Sneak Peek #ChattyBlogs December Linky