Over the past few days I have read several blog posts from genimates in which they outline lists of lofty goals for this new geneayear. While I admire these genies for their commitment and organisational skills I won't be joining them.
Last week I responded to a tweet from Daniel Horowitz who asked about goals for 2022 and, with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, I replied "Have fun".
On reflection I realise that while fun is an element of my goal I needed to qualify the fun so my goal is now "Have fun and find stuff".
I just finished writing the President's newsletter report for my local family history group, a committed mob of amateur genies like me.
I wrote "Many genies on social media have been setting ambitious and rigid geneagoals for the coming year and I applaud them for their commitment. I have decided to take a loose approach with one goal to “Have fun and find stuff”. Family history is a hobby for me, I don’t want to put pressure on myself by setting lofty goals. I need to have the flexibility to change direction and go off on tangents when I find something new and interesting."
As a fan of rabbit holes, BSOs and Tangential Genealogy I don't want to have lofty goals hanging over my head, I'm opting to hang loose and follow whims. I want to track down that new DNA match when it automagically appears on my desktop. I want to help that friend who reaches out for help in starting her genealogy journey. I want to feel free to put a project aside when it starts to bore me and go on to something else until some BSO ignites my interest once more.
I may end up with gaping holes in my research and too many projects on the go but that doesn't bother me, I need to leave some holes for future researchers to fill! I'll revel in the feast the serendipitous finds in my carefree approach reveals.
Am I alone in my approach or are there other Genies who just want to have fun?
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| Genies having fun at Rootstech London. |
12 comments:
Hi Jill, I too am going with out goals, this year but I have chosen a word, RECHARGE. I don't want to feel pressured to finish something, or start something because of a goal. Genealogy is fun, frustrating and rewarding and we don't need goals for that. I too did a post about it.
I'm with you two ladies on this subject - and i really like how you worded your experiences, thats 100% how it all unfolds for me. A kind of strike while the iron/thought/dna match is hot :)
Hi Jill. Have fun and find stuff sounds perfect to me. Along with my goals I also intend to have fun and find stuff. I’m totally ok with leaves work towards a goal aside to concentrate on fun for a while.
Hi Jill. Have fun and find stuff sounds perfect to me. Along with my goals I also intend to have fun and find stuff. I’m totally ok with leaves work towards a goal aside to concentrate on fun for a while.
I agree, Jill. Genealogy can't ever be completed. So we might as well spend our efforts working on whatever pleases us most at the time.
Thanks all for your comments, so pleased I'm not alone.
Lilian after two years of uncertainty and maybe another on the horizon RECHARGE is a worthwhile and appropriate goal.
Hi Jill - good for you! An excellent goal to have. After all genealogy is the most fun hobby isn't it? I just hate the thought of leaving a mess behind and have decided it's time to clean up my act. I feel happier when I walk into the study now that it looks a bit tidier and I have two less boxes of filing. But I want to assure you that despite setting goals (which I will no doubt fail to reach as always) that I am still having lots of fun. :)
Me too Jill! I never really formalise my 'goals', so they are always fun. Still, I also agree with Alex that I do want to ensure the longevity of my research by making sure it is in a state suitable to endure. I guess it is an informal goal that I chip away at year by year.
Thanks for stating it, as I was beginning to think I was the odd one out. :-)
I set/continued a few goals, but left the actual research goal open-ended. I like Jacqi Stevens' 12 for '22 idea (one ancestor to research in depth each month)on A Family Tapestry is realistic. I have left most of my list of 12 open so I can follow BSOs as they appear. I think it's a good compromise between overwhelming and none.
I'm with you Jill. I spend my time tracking down DNA matches and if I come to a brick wall I move on to something else. Going out to lunch with friends figures prominently in my plans.
I do like, Jill, your mantra “Have Fun”. That was very much what I was trying to convey when I set up my blog “Family History Fun” in 2010. I did, though, at one stage, come to regret the title, when my family history revealed scenes definitely not “fun”, such as death in childbirth, in infancy, in warfare, in tragic accidents etc. But I was keen to share with others the pleasure and enthusiasm I get from such an absorbing hobby.
I think our theme song should be "genies just want to have fun".
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