Getting Organized and Motivated in 2015

Lisa Azlo writes for the Legacy News blog.  Her 29 Dec 2014 post is entitled, "Grab Your Genealogy by the Horns: Five Ways to Take Control of Your Research in 2015".  In it she lists five ways to improve your family history research in the new year.  In summary:

1. Define your goals
2. Let go of old habits
3. Get organized
4. Don't go it alone; and
5. Hit the reset button.

I particularly like #4.  Groups like D.I.R.T. are the perfect place to get help and share resources.  She offers some good advice, as well as links to other resources.  You can read her entire post here.  

I Do Genealogy is another great blog.  On 30 Dec 2014 they posted about ways to get motivated in the new year.  The list includes:

1. Find a NEW approach to “doing genealogy”.
2. Plan a research trip to some place you’ve never been.
3. Settle on ONE genealogy database software and learn it well.
4. Take a genealogy class (but if the speaker says he doesn’t bother documenting, stop listening!)
5. VOLUNTEER!!!!! Nothing will make you feel better than helping someone discover something new about their ancestry.
6. Join a Genealogy Facebook group.
7. Decide HOW you are going to present your genealogy to your family.
8. Decide if you are EVER going to write a book about your family history. A book is different from the data in a family binder (pedigree charts, family group sheets, etc.) If you decide you are not, stop beating yourself up about not doing so.
9. Learn at least ONE new tool in 2015 that will help you with genealogy.
10. Reset some old goals. Is the reason you didn’t meet them: too big? not really doable?
11. Join a local genealogy society AND then give your time.

All of these are very good ideas for new and better ways to get things done and stay on track. You can read the entire post here.

Let's make 2015 the most productive family history year ever!

-- submitted by Denise Doyon