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October 30 x 30 challenge: Please report in!

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The October 2018 30 x 30 challenge has come to an end and it’s time for those of us who were participating to fess up. How did it go for you?

For me, this challenge was not the best. Usually my 30 x 30 challenges are hugely motivating for me. More often than not, because of the challenge I’m able to stay on track and research for at least 30 minutes a day for 30 days in a row. This October, however, I was just not able to prioritize genealogy research. My schedule was such that I couldn’t fit in the research first thing in the morning and, as I’ve discovered, if I don’t first thing it usually doesn’t get done. The last week of the month, I didn’t do any research.

But I’m cutting myself a lot of slack. The genealogy research is waiting for me and I’m hopeful that I will be able to prioritize once again very soon. I have some challenges, including an upcoming five-day trip and a visit from my brother and niece (who live in Australia) followed by a trip with them to Washington state see our father. Sometimes during these family times regular work falls off the radar and genealogy becomes a priority. So I’m hopeful that I’ll get some great genealogy research in the rest of the year. But I don’t think I’ll start another challenge until January.

How about you? Did you fare better than me? Did the challenge help you get some research in? Would you be up for a January 2019 30 x 30 challenge?

Who’s ready for an October 30 x 30 challenge?

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I’m feeling the need again for a 30 x 30 challenge so that I make daily research a priority again. In my 30 x 30 challenges I challenge myself (and anyone who wants to join me) to doing 30 minutes of genealogy every day for 30 days.

I find that when I have a challenge going I’m much more likely to prioritize doing research and get it done first thing in the morning. When I don’t have the outer and inner accountability that a 30 x 30 challenge brings, I sometimes put genealogy research on the back burner.

I love doing my research each day in small bites because it keeps me engaged in my research and usually means that I don’t fall down a rabbit hole in marathon research sessions.

So who would like to join me on October 1? You can work on an organizing task or just do research or whatever else feels beneficial.

Let me know in the comments if you’d like to join me!

How’s the July 30 x 30 challenge going?

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We had a record number of people say they were up for this month’s 30 x 30 challenge, in which we commit to doing 30 minutes of genealogy research (or organizing or digitizing or whatever project you choose) for 30 days in a row.

We’ve passed the half-way point of the challenge, so I wanted to ask: how’s it going?

I’ve managed to do at least 30 minutes of genealogy research each day. It’s been so enjoyable and I feel very connected to my ancestors. On almost all the days, I’ve researched in the morning, before I left the house. On the weekends, I’ve managed to put in more time. But on weekday mornings, I set a timer and stop after 30 minutes.

I’m using my Evernote research log consistently, so it’s very easy for me to pick up where I left off.

Your turn: Please report in the comments. How’s your challenge going?

Join me for a July 30 x 30 challenge?

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My life has been a bit hectic and genealogy research has dropped to the bottom of the priority list. My antidote to that? A new 30 x 30 challenge!

Who wants to join me? In the 30 x 30 challenge, I commit to doing 30 minutes of genealogy research (or genealogy organizing) every day for 30 days. This challenge will start on Sunday, July 1 and end on Monday, July 30.

Whenever I make this commitment, my research goes to the top of my priority list (which usually means I do it first thing in the morning) and my genealogy productivity and enjoyment skyrockets.

Please comment below if you’d like to join me in the challenge. Mid-month I’ll post a progress report. Here’s to a July full of fun genealogy research!