Hah!!! Happy Birthday to me! I think being
a narcissist for a day is absolutely fine.
My observation is that people are either
excited, in celebratory mood – the party makers, and then there are those who
do their best to avoid the lime-light – the party evaders. I am to some extent a party evader too.
So what do party evaders look out for? I
have no clue. The few that I know, who
are also party evaders tend to introspect. They try and make sense of what are
the good things that they did over the last one year. And how many mistakes they
made in the year gone by. And there is some amount of planning on what to
expect or plan to achieve in the next year.
This seems like a good idea. Good enough to
try. Despite that I think I will not remember what all I have done nor that I
will have a single clear goal for the next year. Since, my belief is that no
plan ever goes according to plan, therefore, its best that we keep more than
one plan and few backups as well along the way.
Last year I had made plans to read some
books. To be exact I wanted to read more than 14 books during the year. At the
same time I also wanted to do some courses from Coursera and one complete a
course in risk management, something I had been pursuing on the side-lines. Did
manage to complete parts of it here. On the office front I changed jobs and
managed to write some interesting stories in the new job.
So how should I set goals for the next year
one year? This seems difficult.
Well I think reading about 12 or more books
is necessary. And this time will review or write summaries of each book as
well. That should make it interesting.
For quite a few years I have been wanting
to learn calligraphy and voice modulation. Although at this point it looks
highly unlikely but at least will do my best to cover some ground in finding
out on how to learn.
Also during the year, I will do my best to
read about a new subject. Maybe learn something from some friend as well or
about a new industry. This should be fun.
On a serious note, I would like to get more
clarity on where I should take admission for a Masters’ program.
Completing some more additional subjects
from Coursera will obviously be part of the goal. Which subjects? That is a
difficult to state at this point. Although most of the courses are very
flexible on a weekly basis. But I have come to realise I need to do courses
where the option is to watch the videos is such that I am able to finish it in
about 3 hours a week followed by a weekly or fortnightly quiz in multiple
choice question format. It’s easier for me to complete and fulfil the program.
An intensive program which also requires
peer valuation is difficult for me. It takes more time, although I agree it is
a better way to learn. Therefore for a working professional I find it
difficult.
Now let’s see if next year on the same day,
how much am I able to achieve. And what are the things that I had not made
plans for but did complete.
