Susan Farrell Bankhead, Certified Genealogist (sm)
Divide AND Conquer
Several years ago Bruce and I hiked Mt. St. Helens with three of his kids. (No worries about an explosion, the top had blown years before). The path started out easy enough. We wound our way through the forest. As we gained altitude, the trees thinned out and we picked our way between big rocks. After a couple of hours we could see the top (or what was left of the top). It was only about 300 feet away, but the steep terrain was covered with a gray pumice that was so unstable that for every step we took forward, we slid three-fourths of a step back.
It was hard and frustrating to gain any ground.
We stopped for a rest and looked up. We were so close we could taste the thin air but that wasn’t encouraging enough.
One of the kids grumbled, “Let’s turn back now. Nobody will ever know we didn’t make it.”
WHAAAAT?
I would know I didn’t make it and that makes all the difference.
What to do?
Bruce and I had a conference and decided we needed to split up the kids or they would outnumber us and mutiny.
So, he went ahead with two of the kids and I followed a space behind with the third child.
We forged ahead and made it to the top. We took pictures to record our victory and for proof we did it. Then, we got out some garbage bags, found an ice field heading down, sat on the bag, and slid down the mountain! It was a fun way to celebrate our hard work.
You’re probably wondering why I’m telling you this story. (I promise, this is the last post I’m writing about goals for a while.)
Here’s the moral to the story: Sometimes you’re going to need to divide or delegate to conquer a goal. Some things you might not have the expertise you need. None of us have all skills, all abilities.
For instance, I’ve been putting off publishing my dad’s life story, even though I’ve already written it, because I don’t have the tech skills to get it formatted for publishing, adding images, creating the index, etc. What I need to do to finish this goal is to hire (or beg) someone to help me with the tech stuff so it will get done.
There’s nothing deceptive or chicken about asking for help. If you need help to finish a goal and you don’t have the expertise you need to do it, then ask for it!
In the end, you’ll have something to show for finishing your goal.
What software are you using?
Ruth: Now THAT’s the $64,000 question! I use different software for different purposes. I am still currently running PAF as I integrate one name at a time into my cleaned up version over at RootsMagic. Most of my work today is done in RootsMagic. I use Family Tree Maker for the shaky leaf prompts. I have also used Legacy Family Tree in the past. It’s fine, too. Sounds like an issue I need to blog about. As for writing family histories, I don’t use any. Instead I use a word processing program like Microsoft Word.
Susan,
Thank you for another great post! I love the way you take your every day life and combine it with genealogy to make your points. It is so relate-able (sorry could not help myself to the pun). I always look forward to reading your blog.
Sierra
Thank YOU, Sierra!
Have you considered using lulu to publish your dad’s story? I have taught classes about lulu and everyone I have ever talked with says it is an incredible program to use to print a book. It uses any program, like Word, to create the book. No extra charge for pictures like in the old days.
I have not personally used it because I am not lucky enough to have anything to publish. Check out their website. They have awesome tutorials.
Good luck meeting this goal.
Pam: Thank you for the suggestion to use lulu to print my dad’s story. I’ve ordered Amy Coffin’s and Michael Hait’s books from lulu and been happy with the process and with their books. I’ve been thinking that would be a good way to publish because I believe other people can order a print copy for themselves, sparing me the cost of inventory, shipping, etc. THAT would be the simplest way to go. I didn’t know they have tutorials. I’ll have to check them out. Then, in my dreams, I think if I could just get an agent or a movie producer to read my dad’s story, maybe we could make it into a big screen drama … because that’s what it is! Thanks for giving me the reminder!
Email me if you need any assistance getting your book ready for publication. I have been very happy with Lulu as well.
Michael: What a generous offer! I know you have experience with lulu. I appreciate you! Thanks.