Hola folks!
How have y’all been? I know, I know I have been MIA from the virtual world (and my blog) for much longer than initially announced or ever planned. I do have a very good reason for it, but it will make for a very bleak start, so I’ll come to that later in the post.
For now, let’s talk about the quarter gone by, and how I did on my goals. If you want to know the “rules” of the game, or why I decided to set quarterly goals in the first place, do read this post.
But essentially, I had set 11 goals for myself (spanning several areas of my life), and the deal was, if I managed to accomplish 75% (or more) of these goals, then I would have “won” the quarter.
Or else… I get to come to this very-public platform and announce a fail. Which is so not fun. But it’s life, happens all the time.
Now this quarter was a tough one to begin with. For one, I did not even have the full quarter as I had set these goals towards the end of Jan, and I was planning to be in India for most of March, for my sister’s wedding, so that time was kind of blocked off for visiting family and having fun. Which left me with a little over a month and half to fit these goals in.
With that in mind, let’s get on with this quarter’s update, and see if I could actually accomplish anything at all.
Personal Goals
Sort all personal photos & videos – Okay, like I said in the post where I set the goal, I had been procrastinating this one for the last 5 years. The fact that I planned to get this done in a quarter, where I really only had a month and half to work with, sounds ridiculous!
But that’s me, at times I get carried away and set a crazy goal like this one, which unfortunately, yet inevitably, leads me to a fail.
Having said that, this one is going to get pushed to the next quarter’s goals, and while it’s still a stretch, it’s more achievable in the coming quarter, as I don’t have a whole lot going on (at-least as compared to the first quarter of the year). [Score – 0/11]
Make a video collage for my sister’s wedding & my son’s birthday – This is another classic example of untamed ambition – I should have stopped at the goal of making a video collage for my sister’s wedding (which by the way, is a goal I successfully completed), and should not have gone overboard with the goal of making a video for my son (which I wasn’t able to do), especially considering there was no occasion or even a place to play that video.
It was mostly for personal records. But I clearly did not reign myself in during goal-setting, which is why, I can only count this as half a win. [Score – 0.5/11]
Blogging Goals
Decide & Stick to a Posting Schedule – This one is complicated. I have finally decided my posting schedule (I’ll come to that in a bit), which is great, because earlier even that was always a mystery to me. But clearly I haven’t been able to follow it yet.
There are many reasons why, but mostly because I have been away from home for quite some time last quarter, and then more recently, after I came back, I had a very nasty fall from the stairs, which had me pretty much bed-ridden for two days, and then in a lot of pain for a week. I still have residual pain from the fall, but I am doing much better now.
Anyway, I plan to stick to the new schedule of posting, which is on Sunday Night 8 PM my time (which is EST, should be Monday morning India time). There may be ‘bonus’ posts outside of this, but you can expect a post every single Sunday night without fail.
That being said, honorable intentions aside, this is also only half a win. [Score – 1/11]
Start Chatty Blogs – This I did. I started it. I wasn’t able to keep up with it, thanks again to my erratic schedule in the first quarter, but I will, and this will be live on the first Sunday of every month, and run for 2 weeks instead of the earlier one week (as suggested by you guys). [Score – 2/11]
Set up Yoast – I have to thank my lucky stars, that I at-least set one realistic, manageable goal last quarter. This one was a win. I set it up. I still have to make some tweaks, but that’s completely fine. [Score – 3/11]
Start the Food Blog – Okay you know this by now. I have a problem. It’s called extreme optimism. Because why else would I set this as a goal in this quarter, which was challenging to begin with, when I have been procrastinating this forever.
So clearly, this was a fail, but I have reason to believe that this will get done soon, as you will see in my post where I set goals for the coming quarter. [Score – 3/11]
Bookish Goals
Read & Review Jane Eyre – This was a win. I read and reviewed Jane Eyre, which by the way was a book I adored. And I am incredibly grateful that I buddy-read this, because if not for that, I would most likely have DNFed it, which would be an utter shame, considering it’s now one of my favorite books of all time. [Score – 4/11]
Start the audio-books series – It breaks my heart that this one was a fail, but it was. Hopefully I’ll get to this sometime soon. Sometime real soon. [Score – 4/11]
Fitness Goals
Elliptical 20-30 minutes – 5 days a week & Fitbit 5000 steps – 5 days a week – Okay, I am combining these two goals here, as I would consider both of these a ‘qualified’ win. Mostly because while setting the goal, I had already exempted myself from doing this in India or when sick (foresight, always helps? ). This was my healthy day fitness plan.
And barring the 2 weeks in February when I was sick, and the 3 weeks in March, when I was in India, I have done this every single day, which I know isn’t technically every single week of this quarter, but for me, is a huge improvement over my past procrastinating ways. [Score – 6/11]
Lose 9 pounds – This was a HUGE win. And a completely unexpected one at that. Considering that I had even been to India in this quarter, and no one, I repeat no one comes lighter after hogging on all the mouth-watering delicacies there, I am amazed that this time I did. And the complete credit goes to the Rujuta Divekar method outlined in Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight. Her book was a total game-changer for me.
If you guys are interested, I will do a full separate post, reviewing the book, and my application of the ideas mentioned, which enabled me to lose the weight, and keep it off.
Note: I know that 9 pounds in 3 months may not be a big deal to many of you. But it is definitely a huge deal for me, as I haven’t been losing any weight since forever. My weighing scale only ever moved upwards whenever I was on it. [Score – 7/11]
FINAL SCORE: 7/11 that is 63.63% which means this quarter was a fail. Surprise surprise. Okay, to be fair, I would have needed nothing short of a miracle for a win this time, but boy would it have been nice to start with a win! Anyway, there’s always next time… #Optimism
That’s all from my end, folks. I will be back soon with my goals for the next quarter. In the meanwhile, I would love to hear from you guys. I know many of you set quarterly goals too. How did it go for you guys? And for the ones who set goals for other timelines – are you tracking these goals? I would love to hear. Do share!
Vishal Bheeroo
There are no such things as failure. We keep improving in life and I am also taking exercising, doing 20 minutes thrice a week in addition to regular weekly yoga class. Hope you enjoyed the India trip and can’t wait to visit…I need to this year. Hope the pain from the fall is subsiding. Keep faith.
Shanaya Tales
The pain is much better now, Vishal. Thank you so much. I do hope you get to visit India this year as well. 🙂
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vaidehi
wow I enjoyed reading it.You really did well in achieving your goals.Impressed…
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Vaidehi. Glad you enjoyed the post. And welcome to my blog. 🙂
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Sanchie @ Living my Imperfect Life
Good on you for all the gains you’ve made in the first quarter of the year! The fitness particularly is awesome because as you said, going back to India usually means eating a lot! 😛
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Shanaya Tales
Yep, India is all about food and family for me, which is why I never come back lighter. This was a first. 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…On Breaking Away from Being ‘Too Busy’ #ChattyBlogs -May Linky
Aditi Kaushiva
I think this is a win! 63% is not that far off from 70 now…and just how did you manage to loose 9 pounds. Commendable!
I’m waiting for your chatty blog. Have missed it!
Curious about yoast…let me know how it’s helping you in blogging, analytics etc.
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Aditi. The Chatty Blogs post is up, and the linky is live right now. I would love it if you could join in.
As far as Yoast is concerned, it’s a pretty awesome resource for SEO. Very user friendly too. Ping me if you have more questions. I will be happy to help. 🙂
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Fabida
I think that score is good and you did pretty well!! Jane Eyre is one of my fav books of all time too! I’m also struggling with some extremely ambitious goals I set for the past quarter which will, obviously, get pushed into the current one!
Shanaya Tales
Thank you. 🙂
Don’t worry about your overly ambitious goals. Ambition is a great thing to have. And you can always get them done this quarter. Just do your best. 🙂
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Nabanita Dhar
I missed you. I loved the wedding pictures though. Your sis looks so sweet and happy. Touchwood. My best wishes to the couple.
I like that you make goals because I do too and try to keep up to those. I have quite a few things on my mind but time is the issue that I’m finding hard to deal with.
Shanaya Tales
I know, time management can be pretty rough with a little one. So don’t be too hard on yourself, in time it will all get easier. 🙂
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Rachna
Wow! You did pretty well, Shantala, considering that you made an India trip as well. Really good going. I like this idea of quarterly goals and then taking stock of them.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Rachna. 🙂
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Shailaja Vishwanath
63% is a fail? Woman, you don’t know math or if you did, you set yourself unrealistically high standards like Indian parents 😉
You are awesome and inspiring and amazing and all of this with a wedding and a fall from the stairs! You are Jane Bond and you don’t even know it. I’d say goals are great because they keep you focused and the idea of quarterly goals sounds doable and fabulous. Keep going and I am so glad to see you blogging again 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Hahaha..Jane Bond? 😀 You made my day! 😀
But really, thank you. I have considered bringing down the ‘pass percentage’ to 50%, but that feels like giving up, so I am going to test this for a few more months, and then possibly adjust it.
Also, if I haven’t told you this recently, I do love you. Hugs.
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Ruchi Singh
I salute your tenacity. Setting goals is fine, but tracking, and rating them too, is really commendable. But it’s okay, life has a way of disrupting our plans but then there is a learning in that too. I’m sure you’ll be able achieve more in the coming quarters!!
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Ruchi. Yes, this quarter is going much better, so fingers crossed. 😀
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SHALINI BAISIWALA
I have missed your coffee chats and am happy to know you are back in blogging earnest.
Good job on setting your gals – often deciding what to do is the most difficult part; working towards a goal is then easier.!
Looking forward to your posts and wish you all the power to complete the goals.
Cheers
P.S.
Loved your wedding pics!!!
Theme: Peregrination Chronicles (travel)
I is for innovation or Jugaad which we Indians are very famous for #atozchallenge
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divsi
Sorting pics and videos is something I can NEVER get to do:( Its a great list and I am super impressed with your score! Give me tips for losing those pounds! :p
Shanaya Tales
Ugh yeah the pictures..so intimidating! :/ And about those pounds, I will do a post real soon. Once the post for the next quarter’s goals is out, it’s next on the radar. Thank you for stopping by and reading.
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Amrita
Interesting that you made those goals while being do busy .I think since your time frame shrunk you can adjust the scores accordingly .I think then it will be a pass.
Shanaya Tales
Hehehe yeah, but I think I will let it go this time. It will motivate me to work harder in the next quarter, where there are bigger things at stake. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Quarterly Goals Update (Jan – Mar 2017)
Lata Sunil
That’s lot of goals achieved. I loved the 9 pound weight loss as I never seem to lose any, and only gain. Should I go to Rujuta Divekar too? I would like to know.
Shanaya Tales
I did not go to her. I read her book and applied the principles, and normally I am pretty lazy about this stuff, but this was relatively easy. I will do a full review post soon outlining what I exactly did from her book.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Quarterly Goals Update (Jan – Mar 2017)
Mee Magnum
Good job Santana. I hope the wedding was spectacular and they live happily ever afger.
Shanaya Tales
It was. Thank you so much for your wishes. 🙂
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