One week...seven days, that is how long I lasted in my quest to getting organized. It wasn't even seven consecutive days! I put forth the effort, I printed off the organization checklists, read various columns on how to get organized and spent money on office supplies. What did this exercise tell me about myself?
1. I like making lists!
2. I like buying office supplies!
3. I like the idea of being organized!
But no matter how many "here is what you need to do to get organized" blog posts I read or podcasts I listened to, none seem to fit me. I did find great organizational tips and checklists which act as valuable reminders on the preservation and safekeeping of documents and emphasize the need for documentation in a database. However, I think the checklists will only be guidelines for me. I need my own method otherwise I'm not totally committed to it.
Lets face it, having a list can be a great motivator, but it also can be a threat. We feel we have to finish the list in a certain amount of time. This is my hobby and I want to enjoy this hobby without the pressure of deadlines.
Those who recognized this passion in their life and were able to follow that to a career have my admiration. I have a fantastic job that I love with a great company and as much as I enjoy this hobby I won't be quitting my day job! Having said that, I would like to continue my education in family history research. I want to learn more about the methodology, abstracts, transcriptions and citations just to start with. There will be more about my approach to further my education in a future post.
So, it is what it is folks. I am an amateur genealogist (have been for 10 years now) and make no claim to being more than that. I know some about genealogy, but have a great desire to know more. With those aspirations of perfectly completed checklists out of the way I can get back to enjoying the research and the finds!
My sentiments exactly!! I think I've finally nailed down a ''system'' that's working for me but I'm not trying to do it all at once...here and there between the research and fun.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely said Jenna. We have a life long hobby and we are lucky to have our own individual lines of ancestors. Enjoy your ancestors in any way you can.
ReplyDeleteSharon, I'm with you, my system works for me also. I've not lost anything yet, just may take me a little bit to find it! *lol*
ReplyDeleteI agree Barbara, I have a lot of time to complete my filing! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on #1, 2, and 3 - I like doing those things. Maybe once or twice a year I straighten up my largest piles of papers and organize things a bit. It's just so daunting to put every single thing where it goes.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't share your hobby, I have my own way of doing things and it works well for me. If it ain't broke, don't fix it
ReplyDeleteYou might be further along in your quest than you realize -- making lists, buying supplies, and visualizing the end result are little nudges that move and motivate! At least, that's what I tell myself ;>)
ReplyDeleteKathy, I like how you think lady!!
ReplyDeleteDenise, I can say that I do not have piles of papers laying around, they are in folders, but maybe not the permanent folders they should be in!! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, I totally get it! :)
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