2017 was a pivotal year for Artha. Artha India Ventures surpassed 50 investments, Artha Energy Resources tripled revenues, we launched Artha Venture Fund I & Artha Creative Studios. Although there was significant progress during the year, there wasn’t enough reason to celebrate just yet. Even with all the progress that we had made as a group, it felt as though we had stumbled our way there instead of having driven there with intent. 2017 could have been 10% better or worse and I would have felt the same way. Why? Because I didn’t set goals for 2017 so whatever I did achieve was progress – but was it a reflection of luck or hard work? Was it progress worth celebrating or berating?  
I had the luxury of better counsel. A study on goal setting by Dr Gail Matthews of the Dominican University in California concluded that the group of people who write down their goals are over 50% more likely to achieve them versus the group of people that think of them just in their head. The results are even better for those that write their goals and send them to a friend.  
While I cannot change what I didn’t do in 2017, 2018 is a new year with a fresh start. I started a process to:

1. Identify the areas/roles in my life that I wanted to focus on for 2018
2. Re-read material on setting SMART goals  
3. Share the goals with my team and family for buy-in & feedback  
4. Print them out and keep them on my desk, above my bed and on the mirror in my bathroom  

Writing out my goals has indeed managed to increase my energy levels and motivation at the office and at home. With a clear focus on what I want to achieve in 2018, I believe that I am already 50% of the way there.  

1/2018