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January 9, 2012

Going Out on a Limb Again: 2012 Goals


Here we are at the beginning of a new year, with its blank slate of promise and possibilities. I hope 2012 is off to a good start for you!

I took some time last week to think about what I might want to accomplish this year. It’s kind of scary laying things out for everyone to see, because there’s always the risk of not succeeding. Even when I start out with good intentions, real life has a way of—well, not interfering, but happening. It’s a given that some things won’t go the way we planned. But I think it’s a risk worth taking, because I found last year that setting goals in public helped keep me focused and motivated. And that’s a positive thing. So with that in mind, here’s what I hope to focus on in 2012:

Research:
  • Research my maternal grandparents’ lines more thoroughly
  • Research my husband’s New England ancestors
  • Submit an application to Century Families of Ohio lineage society 
Organization:
  • Record, analyze, file, and cite loose documents from my previous research trips (these are laying in piles on my dining room table)
  • Keep current by recording new research discoveries immediately (so I don’t fall behind again) 
Writing:
  • Create a habit of spending 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week, on recording memories, family stories, and/or personal writing projects (I can already tell this one will require the most discipline--notice I gave myself 2 days a week "wiggle room")
  • Write two articles to submit for possible publication
Blogging:
  • Continue blogging regularly and making improvements to the blog
Education:
    Well, there you have it. Seems like a tall order, but hopefully within reach. Some of these things will need to be broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces. For that I plan to set monthly goals in Motivation Monday posts at the beginning of each month, to help keep me on track and making progress little by little. You can read my January goals here. And now as tempting as it is to sit and dream of what might be, I'd better stop making goals and start actually working on them. Whatever your goals, best wishes for a successful and satisfying year! 

    Related Posts:
    Going Out on a Limb

    7 comments:

    1. Good luck with your goals, I've made some too. It's good to put them in black and white even if life interupts play sometimes.At least at the end of the year you can see how far you've got.

      Funny how every FH blog I've read including mine has put getting organized down as a goal, it's all those little bits of paper, they multiply :)

      J x

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    2. Very ambitious goals! I bet once you start working though that list will get shorter quick! Good luck, looking forward to hearing how youv do.

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    3. Shelly, you can not believe how you inspire me. I even said so on my blog. I figured if you could take that scary step and put your goals out there for all the world to see, I could too. I am so glad to have met you and can't wait to see you again. Till then, Keep you nose to the grindstone and when we meet we can celebrate our achievements. ~Kim

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    4. Dragonfly, I often wonder if my papers multiply mysteriously at night. Guess that's why so many of us have organization on our to-do lists :) Congrats for getting your goals written down, and best of luck in achieving them!

      Jenna, thanks for the support! I'm excited to get going.

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    5. Kim, thanks so much for your kind words. You inspire me, too, with your enthusiasm and positive energy. I have a feeling that 2012 will be a productive and fun year for both of us, and I look forward to celebrating with you!

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    6. Good luck Shelley on your 2012 goals! I'm with you, I've got to get those goals down on paper/blog so I know what I'm working on and what I want to get done. That way when real life does get in the way I can get back to my priorities. Genealogy! :-)
      P.S. Love the look of your blog!

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    7. Thanks, Cindy! I'm with you--given the choice, genealogy would always take first priority :)

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