My 2023 goals based on my identity and core values!

Where do I begin. I guess after not completing all of my 2022 goals, 2023 probably needs a rethink. Also my long term goals need reshaping. Thus I’ve decided to create 6 month goals only, which I’ll review halfway when 3 months have elapsed. I will keep them short and easy to do, and keep them SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time based). I’m going to relate them to my core values and identity. It sounds a bit cheesy but why not give it a go!

My identity and values

Recently I took some time to think about myself and what my values and or identity is. By doing this I can concentrate on the goals that relate to these values rather than waste my time on goals that are not closely linked to who I am.

The 3 themes I’ve chosen related to my identity are:

• Actuary & Investor
• Coach & Mentor
• Kabaddi Coach & President

Here’s how I came about deciding the three themes. My career goal is to become an actuary, but the underlying goal is to have financial security. The investor part comes into the equation because it relates to financial security. The second theme is Coach & Mentor, this is a new aspect to my life but it is about giving back and pulling everyone else upwards to be on a greater level. The third theme is Kabaddi coach and president. As you may know by now I am the president of England Kabaddi Union and my aim is to progress the sport in governance but also spread the sport to give more opportunities to play.

My core values and the definition I have assigned to each are as follows:

• Clarity: making decisions with a clear mind and maintaining a simple life
• Financial Freedom: take risks and increase income in order obtain monetary security
• Health & Fitness: staying healthy through diet and exercise
• Learning: continually learning and investing in my knowledge
• Relationships: maintain strong connections with family, friends and nature

The core values feed into the three themes. For example, for Actuary and Investor, the core value is financial freedom, but the values clarity, learning and relationships all relate to this theme. Similarly for the other 3 themes. In any case, when I decide upon a goal I need to check if it fits into my 3 themes and 5 core values. If it does then I have made the goal Relevant, which is one of the 5 aspects needed to make a goal SMART.

I’ve waffled on far too long, so here are my goals for 2023 part 1:

1. Pass 2 Actuarial Exams

Okay its the most boring goal but probably one of the most important. I will take a small exam in February and then a big exam in April (apparently this one is the hardest). I will aim to pass both first time! Naturally this fits in with the Actuary & Investor theme.

2. Write two more investment reports

For my new venture Sanjay Patel Actuary I am writing investment reports based on my method of investing. The aim is to write a report every quarter and so this can be one of my goals. Again this would fit in the Actuary & Investor theme.

3. Create weekly blogs and short videos for TikTok and Instagram

For the same venture I have a TikTok and Instagram account. I also write blogs on the website. I try and create 3 videos for each blog. So this goals would be to create a new blog every week and then upload three short videos every week. Its a tall order but the goals should be stretching. And yes you guessed it, this fits in my Actuary & Investor theme.

4. Mentor 2 students from Imperial College London

I recently signed up to mentor two students from my university which I am quite excited about. So the goal here is to go through with this commitment and hopefully the two students will get something fruitful out of this. For me, it is more about understanding the process and how mentoring works. It is new to me, so getting to the end of the course (in May) will be a goal in itself. This is part of the Coach & Mentor theme.

5. Mentor / Coach at work

I would love to mentor or coach at work. Usually it is managers that take on this role, but I think I have sufficient experience to help some of the graduates that have started recently. Whether this be in work or out of work time I’m not sure. I will need to clarify this. I think there exists a mentoring programme in my company so I will try and enrol as a mentor. This will fit in the Coach & Mentor theme.

6. Read or listen to 6 self help books

I’m going for one book a month, either listening or reading. I will allow myself to complete any books I have started last year. I’m not really sure which theme this fits into, but it does fit into the learning core value. I think this will be useful knowledge for coaching and mentoring in future so I will group it together with that theme.

7. Reach 66kg in weight

Just having a weight target seemingly isn’t giving me enough motivation. So I’m going to try and tie it to Kabaddi which is a contact sport. And so I’m telling myself it will be easier for me to demonstrate moves from a coaching perspective if I’m strong enough to play. But the goal is the same, to gain 1kg each month to a target of 66kg. This therefore fits in the Kabaddi Coach & President theme.

8. Kabaddi training open to all in London

I can’t let on too much about what England Kabaddi Union have planned for this year, but one of my aims is to have regular training in London which can be open to all. I hope to have this in place for the second quarter! The aim is to spread into multiple locations in the future. Of course this fits with the Kabaddi Coach & President theme.

9. Create a Kabaddi rules video

One thing we are lacking in England is a comprehensive rules video or even a simple rules video which a stranger to the sport can watch and realise how the sport works. I’ve always thought about doing this but it is a big task. I will try and create the video in the second quarter! Yes you guessed it, its the Kabaddi Coach & President theme.

10. Take a break

Finally I just wanted a goal to remind myself that I don’t need to work all the time. I want to be able to spend time with nature and loved ones which fits with the relationships core value. In essence it is also the clarity core value. Whether this be taking a prolonged break to go on holiday or a short break every week I’m not sure. It could be both. Either way this goal will be self assessed and judged by my own mental & physical health.

Okay so now I’ve related all goals to one of my 3 key themes (if not, related to my core values) so all the goals are relevant. I think all the goals are specific enough and time based. I believe they are measurable, certainly the quantifiable goals are. And finally they all seem achievable to me! So lets get started!