I’m going to be giving a talk again at the St. Louis Genealogy Conference, which will be held October 13. I’ve been given a choice of repeating last year’s session, which was on Going Paperless in Your Genealogy Research, or coming up with a different topic.
I’m on the fence. On the one hand, it would be really easy to repeat last year’s session, on a topic I enjoy. I’ve already prepared it and I have a Powerpoint presentation ready. (Though I’d probably update the talk a little.) But on the other hand, I’ll grow if I develop a new presentation, and it will keep things more interesting for me. Plus repeat attendees who went to my talk last year will have the option of hearing a new talk from me.
But what would I speak about? The one topic I’ve thought of is Staying Focused in your Genealogy Research.
I thought I’d turn to you my blog readers, because you always have great ideas. Most of you probably aren’t going to be in a position to hear this talk in St. Louis, but perhaps one day I’ll speak at a conference near you.
In the comments, please tell me what topic, within the genealogy organizing arena, you would want to hear a 60-minute presentation about. I would appreciate your input!
Staying Focused fits in with what I was going to say which was something that includes keeping a research log. Which you talk about all the time and surely would be easy for you to present, along with other ideas on staying focused. It could even include a bit of Going Paperless (staying focused on whatever your process is for saving data).
Thanks, Hazel! Yes, including a discussion of a research log in a talk on staying focused is a great idea. And I have a hard time resisting adding going paperless into any genealogy discussion!
The 30 minutes in 30 days would be a good topic. Which is close to staying focused.
Lisa, it makes me happy that you like the 30 x 30 concept so much you would think it a good topic for a talk! I’ll definitely include it in a talk on staying focused. Thank you!
I think the topic of Staying Focused is a great topic. It is so easy to go running off in a different direction when you come across something new. In addition, as Lisa mentioned, the 30 minutes in 30 days is a great topic to include. I did the last one you started and it was great. Also, there should be a happy medium between going completely paperless and keeping everything. I am still trying to figure it out what that medium is.
Thanks, Jerry! There definitely could be a happy medium between all paper and no paper. It’s all about what works for you. I use paper to mind map ideas when I’m stuck in my genealogy. Good luck with your quest to figure out that happy medium for you!
I agree with the topic of Staying Focused would be a great topic for your speech. And you can try some of it out on us. I’m still having trouble using a research log and sticking to one research problem at a time.
It takes a lot of discipline to stick to one research problem at a time. I suspect most people, including me, have trouble with that. Thanks for your comment, Trisha!
Staying focused is a great idea. I am unorganized but I am also one who starts with one person and gets easily sidetracked to someone else. I need to stay focused.
Thanks for the support for that topic, Anita! I think you guys have convinced me that it will be work the effort to create this talk. I’m excited!
I know you have a Mac. For me, the Mac is a totally unknown entity. I’ve used MSDOS and Windows since the early 80s, and I’m really not interested in learning the Mac in any great depth. But given my experience, I am often asked to help with using the computers. I would love to have a short course on the Mac and Genealogy in particular.
That’s interesting, John. I don’t think I know enough about PCs to create a meaningful talk on that subject! But it’s good to know it’s something you would be interested in. Maybe I’ll try to blog about it some time.
Yes – that is the problem – knowing enough about the other system, let alone trying to get into Linux etc.:)
I loved the 30/30 challenge and found it to be very helpful. Another topic could be telling/showing how to do a basic genealogy blog.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on how using your organization of your research melds with staying focused and using cloud software helps you stay on track and not ‘chasing rabbits.’
Thank you for your suggestions! I’m curious about the type of cloud software you’re referencing that would help you stay on track. Please fill me in!
I did not even know this conference exists! I’m only about 20 min away! Do you know when registration opens?
I’ve been listening to your ‘Good Enough’ podcasts, so I’d like you hear about ‘good enough genealogy’. My perfection tendency tends to get in the way of my genealogy, particularly when trying to keep a research log, and writing citations. What is good enough?
Hi, Kim! Registration opens on August 1. I will post a reminder at the end of that week. I love the idea of “good enough genealogy” for a talk!! I’m already committed to doing a talk on staying focused for the October conference, but I’ll keep that in my back pocket. It’s also a great idea for a blog post. Thanks! I look forward to meeting you at the St. Louis Genealogy Conference in October!