On March 1, I started a 30 x 30 challenge in which I vowed to do at least 30 minutes of genealogy research every day for 30 days. I was delighted that a number of you said you were going to do it too!
So I thought I’d check in and see how it’s going. I’m delighted to say that I have managed, so far, to keep my commitment. I had dicey day where I fell asleep on the couch then woke up at 11 pm and realized I hadn’t done my research. If it weren’t for the public accountability of the 30 x 30 project, there’s no way I would have done it. But thanks to the challenge, I dragged myself to my home office, set a timer and did 30 minutes of transcription.
For me, the hardest part of the challenge is to remember to do the research. I try to put it on my daily task list. But some days that list holds more sway than others.
How about you? I’d love to hear about your progress and about any challenges you’ve encountered.
Janine – As you are aware, I am the Registrar for the Dallas chapter of the S.A.R. giving me genealogy work of others to review, comment research and assist. It is hard for me to put in 30 minutes only but being semi-retired it is OK to spend 2 hours finalizing an application approval. Last 7 days I invested 5 hour to this genealogy effort.
Jerry
I think that’s great, Jerry! You get to spend time doing genealogy while helping others with their research. What a great way to spend time in semi-retirement.
I missed only one day but generally the fact that this is just 30 minutes has worked well. I’ve combined it with the other activity you encouraged us to do – keeping a research log. Together these have made me more disciplined in terms of identifying what I want to research and how
Congrats!! Thanks for reminding me about the research log component of the challenge. I have actually kept up with that part too! It really does help with figuring out next steps, doesn’t it?
Agh! I should have joined in! I wil do an 18 day challenge then. My task will be to rebuild my family tree using Ancestral Quest software and only things I’ve captured documents on, LOGGING additional research along the way. I will do this in evenings as a way to relax with no goal in mind by the end of the 18 days. Just have shown up to do something in AQ, and formally.
Everyone’s welcome, any time! Glad to have you for 18 days in the challenge. I like your gentle goal. Let us know how it goes!
I’m impressed you undertook the challenge again during your busy time, and the puppy MUST have calmed down as well!
Thanks! My organizing business is hopping (though not quite as busy as January), but there’s time for research. My puppy, Bix, who is now 17 months old, has grown up to be a very easy dog hang out with. So he’s no longer a distraction, except that he does require walks (which are good for me, so everyone wins).
Janine – Thirty minutes of genealogy research a day is an easy task for me: I’m passionate about it and, in my reFirement, I have the time as a ‘Gentleman of Leisure’. My current focus is tracing the steps of my paternal ancestors who immigrated to Canada from Eastern Europe in April, 1904. I’ve traced them back to their embarking on the ship In Hamburg, but am struggling to get back further to their lives before they left Europe.
ReFirement–I love it! Best of luck in your quest. Thanks for commenting!
I just found your blog (fantastic by the way) so I am not part of the challenge but have been doing daily research for a few months now. I get my research in just about every day by doing it as I eat lunch. I work from home so this works well for me. The only problem is sometimes I just keep eating to justify continuing to research instead of going back to work or doing some cleaning!
Margie, that’s fantastic! And it’s a really good example of a great way to create a habit: Link the new desired behavior with something you’re already doing. Thanks for sharing.