My Plans for 2021
Total Words: 647 words. Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
I am one of the many who make New Year resolutions. I am also one of those many, who jettisons “some of those” new years resolutions.
Fitness and health have always been a consistent part/focus area my resolutions and invariably I met those resolutions.
My resolutions are largely broad themes and not some targets or goals to go after. I do not set quantifiable targets. My experience is that the quantifiable targets are an exercise in futility and also, they are restrictive in nature. I have had people who contest this view that not having targets is nebulous. But my view is that at least you are working in the direction and also making progress, as long as you have the theme in mind.
The quantum of progress may be a topic of debate or self-flagellation (if one decides to do that). But, I focus only on the themes I set out to address. This helps me stay the course and I do feel a sense of achievement, how so ever small they may be. Many a time, one tends to achieve far more if they just persevere working on the theme rather than working on a goal/target.
Permit me to instantiate with a personal example.
I have participated in 8 editions of the TCS Mumbai Marathon with my timing improving in almost every edition (Except in 2017). In March 2019, I ran the Ooty Ultra Marathon (60km), and injured my heel necessitating about 4 months of Physiotherapy. I resumed my intense training in July 2019 in preparation for my Jan 2020 TCS Marathon. The training came together very well (I will talk about my running training in a separate essay)and after achieving podium finishes in Half Marathons and a 20 Miler in Chennai, I achieved the Sub 3:30 Full Marathon timing in the Jan 2020 edition of TCS Mumbai Marathon, despite a bout of viral fever. Point to note is that I never worked with the time in mind. It just happened.
A fellow runner seeded the thought of attempting the Boston Qualifier (50+ years male must complete Full Marathon in under 3hrs and 25 min) and so I registered for the New Delhi Marathon in Feb 2020 which I finished with a timing of 3hrs 22 min. While I qualified for the Boston Marathon 2021, the race has been cancelled on account of the Covid Pandemic. No regrets though.
Despite the lockdowns, focus on health and fitness stayed both inside the confines of my residence and later outside after un-lockdown.
Physical fitness continues to be a recurring theme. 2021 will be the year that I intend to devote on things that gives me immense joy. While 2020 was focused on physical dimension, 2021 will attempt to address the mind or mental dimension. So the broad focus areas/Themes for 2021 are the following:
1. I will get back to writing. There was a time when I used to publish papers and spoke in forums and conferences. I will be restarting that again. I request readers to suggest topics that they would like me to share my views on
2. Get back to learning. One needs to be a lifelong learner. And I intend to get back to my love for Marketing, Finance, Mathematics and Statistics.
3. Cook for family. I enjoy cooking for my son and he enjoys my cooking too. Having cooked North Indian, Italian and Chinese cuisines, I will explore more on desserts front.
4. More Reading. There was a time when I read almost a book a week. That has reduced substantially. I need to get back to reading more and often. Did some justice to my reading habit during lockdown.
Many friends, young students, my gym members, classmates etc reach out to me for guidance or support or even investment tips. I intend to continue dishing out those advice and nuggets of investment information. Little bit of Good Karma
I hope to do justice to these broad themes (No targets or goals).
I sign off with My Very best wishes to all for a Very Happy and Healthy New Year and Beyond.
Do watch out for more of my posts/articles and generously share your feedback and comments.