Q1 Review of Goals

In the beginning of the year, I set aside some goals (click here). It was time I reviewed my performance on these just to see where I was:

Health: Keep up my daily exercise routine and ensure that I work-out atleast 5 days a week. Eat healthy meals every day- monthly once cheat day would be allowed. I would also go to bed at a pre-defined time and wake up everyday at the same time.

Q1 Update: For a big part of 2018, I have kept this up but I must admit, I have fallen off the wagon a bit in the month of April. I plan to reinforce my work on this goal from May.

Sharpening My Culinary Skills: I have decided to not just cook regular homely meals but push myself to prepare more gourmet dishes. I have made some in 2017 as well but would like to take things to another level. I have decided to cook 10 gourmet savoury dishes and 10 gourmet sweet dishes in the year. I will be scheduling this in my monthly planner. It will take an effort to get the recipes and ingredients together. It is a little ambitious but I will do my best.

Q1 Update: I was so lost on how to go about this. On the face of it, this might seem quite simple but in reality, was quite difficult. However, the TV show Chef's Line gave me a clear direction on how to proceed. I have now a very good idea of what to cook. I have gathered enough recipes and will be cooking them away from May. Now all these years, I have only been cooking for my family of 3. This year though, I have been regularly cooking for guests and have received a good feedback from them. So, I would not really be very hard on myself about this goal. The service to the guests has kept the machine running.

Blogging: I have decided to blog once a week in 2018. I do not want to blog sporadically but keep to a schedule. I have been inspired by Mr. Vinod Ekbote who has been blogging for the last 10 years and has been posting every Friday on his blog without fail- click here to check out the blog. I just think I need to set time aside for it and do it every week. I have a diary that is full of things that I would like to put up on my blog but due to several reasons have not been able to do so. However, I am determined to do it in 2018.

Q1 Update: This is one thing that I have been doing quite consistently this year. I hope to keep it that way. At the end of the year, I expect to have 52 blog posts. The most challenging part about this goal is pushing myself to come up with content every single week.

Watercolour Art: I am enjoying learning watercolour art from various online resources. I would make at least 10 proper watercolour paintings in 2018. It just must be scheduled in my monthly planner.

Q1 Update: I must admit, I have not focussed on this goal at all. However, this exercise of reviewing my goals at the end of the quarter, has helped me realise that the area where I have lacked focus. From the month of May, there will be a sure-shot progress here as well (Wow!! May is surely going to be a hot month!)

Launching my Youtube Channel: This has been on my mind for some time. I have still some way to go. I am not sure if it will be possible in 2018. I have to shoot some high quality videos and do some high quality editing. This is a good-to-do goal for 2018 and not must-do as I do not want to rush into it and put up some shoddy videos out in public.

Q1 Update: I am not working towards it too much. I do not feel prepared yet for this. I have created some private video content but there is still a long way to go. I might not actively pursue this goal this year. If it happens, well and good but I will not beat myself up if it does not work out.

Writing: in my journal everyday and at least one page a day. The goal I had in 2017 was to finish writing on all pages of the journal, which in the hindsight, did not make much sense. The goal for 2018 will not only ensure that I keep to my habit of writing, but also as a bonus, would help me finish writing on all the pages. I hope I will not get demotivated like 2017 and give up.

Q1 Update: I have been doing this quite regularly but to be honest, I really do not have much or anything to write on certain days. However, I am doing way better than 2017. I would say I have written on 90% of the days.

Reading: I have lowered the number of books to read in 2018 to 10. As you can see, there is a lot on my plate and I do not want to make the activity that I love so much to be one that induces stress. I would also like to read some good literature, and not just fun-light reading books. I think reading before bed works for me great and I think a good 15-30 minutes before bed would be great.

Q1 Update: This is work in progress. However, it is moving at a snail's pace. I did have a big reader's block, which seems to be vanishing slowly. I am on the verge of completing my first book of the year. It should be done soon. Maybe today or latest by tomorrow.

Travelling: It is my goal to travel to 5 different places in 2018. I better get started on my vacation planning soon.

Q1 Update: A lot of plans have been made and so far, nothing has materialised. However, I am quite positive about it coming to fruition in the coming months.

Apart from this, I am working actively on some of my professional and personal goals and I hope to see some progress in the coming days.