September is Save Your Photos Month!
Writing a book is a prolonged exercise in perfectionism. One must strive for quality while resisting the urge to make it perfect. Why? Because perfection, which is highly subjective in this case, falls somewhere between unlikely and impossible to achieve. And perfectionism can lead to procrastination, writer’s block, stress, and the inability to finish one’s manuscript. Ugh!
If you don’t consider yourself to be a writer, perfectionism can prevent you from even trying to tell your story. My advice for you is to consider it a first draft that you never have to show anyone if you don’t want to. Even “real writers” start with a first draft! It won’t be perfect, but it’ll be a good start.
Blank genealogical pedigree chart
Uh-oh. Ancestry.com just updated their Terms and Conditions in a way that has people up in arms.
>>> SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR UPDATES. <<<
I’m not saying I like it, but I do tend to stay calm in situations like this and wait and see what happens next.
Meanwhile, though, I want you to know about it too, because the clock is ticking and you may feel differently about it than I do.
If you want to take action, it needs to be within 30 days of when the new policy was announced, which was August 3, 2021.
I was attempting to help my aunt solve a cat-related problem. It involved purchasing a couple of items and changing a couple of human behaviors. To me it seemed like a potentially easy fix. Not guaranteed, of course – nothing is guaranteed when it comes to cats! — but why not try it?
One of my favorite concepts in life is The 80/20 Rule.
What is it?
The 80/20 Rule, a.k.a. the Pareto principle, stems from observations made by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto in 1906, including the fact that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. Or, generalizing to other situations, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of the causes.
But why do I like it so much, and why it is your friend?
Because it can help you make decisions…and not worry so much…and get stuff done!
I am now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Yay!
And, like this little bird, I’m pretty happy staying at home by myself.
But it’s nice to have options as I face the (nearly) post-pandemic world.
2021 UPDATE: Getting “derailed” is one thing. Here it implies a potential for getting back on track with a little focus, some encouragement, and a few tips from me. However, falling off the trestle bridge into the canyon below, before crashing and burning, is quite another thing! This article is about getting back on track organization- and productivity-wise after common life-changes (home, work, health, events, trips, relationships). It was not meant for a worldwide pandemic with severe health, social, and financial implications, accompanied by political and civic upheaval and global warming! In severe cases “back to basics” may mean focusing on eating, sleeping, and exercising enough to recover or maintain one’s health. And, in other cases, a consultation with a medical professional, financial advisor, realtor, or government agency is called for. Even so….eventually you will find yourself either stuck in the past, languishing in the present, or ready to get back on track to meet your future.
Greetings! I hope you are doing well despite the fact that somewhere along the way I lost my will to keep you updated on all things COVID.
- ARCHIVED: Survive and Thrive Resource Roundup
Once in a while I’ve checked in with you and let you know how it’s going for me….
- Are you wasting your “free time”?
- Are you feeling adrift too?
- Hindsight is 2020. What’s next?
- 3 Questions (to ask yourself about COVID-times)
I’ve written a few other posts – some new, and some refreshed – but otherwise I’ve been doing genealogy research (for myself and for clients), and working (except, that is, for when I’m not working) on my new book.
Meanwhile…many of my organizing and productivity colleagues are either still at it, or they’ve found renewed energy for solving problems and lifting spirits. Some of them blog on a weekly basis! Some have written books, created products, or developed courses during the pandemic!
So, I’m sharing a roundup of their recent posts that have inspired me, because I’m hoping they will inspire you, too!
Durango, Colorado
(NOTE: It was in October 2012 when I “just returned” from this trip and wrote this post. A worldwide pandemic was the furthest thing from my mind! Most of us have stayed home for over a year, and we’re just now thinking about traveling again as we gradually get our COVID-19 vaccinations. Also new since 2012 is the Org4life Travel Resource Roundup I created for you. Stay safe, and enjoy your travels!)
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I just returned home from a short road trip to Durango, Colorado (from Albuquerque, New Mexico). The brisk fall weather and scenery were wonderfully refreshing. And it was good to be out of my routine for a couple of days. Then, as usual, I was just as glad to return home as I was to leave it in the first place. There’s a reason why we have these sayings:
Home Sweet Home. There’s no place like home. A man’s home is his castle. Home is where the heart is.
Aren’t we all more comfortable at home? And if you aren’t, what needs to change so that you are…?
When I first heard Stan Kinsey talking about Collectionaire, on Maureen Taylor The Photo Detective’s podcast, I thought: “OMG. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!!!”
What is it?
Collectionaire is an amazing way to pull digital memorabilia stored in various cloud locations into one place, making it easier for family members to see and interact with.
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