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Hopes, Dreams And Realities Of Research           Published Monthly
Lesson 051...                                                                                                            2020 01 01

Defining The Problem...
All things, just like the universe, are ever-expanding.
Sometimes they're fun like our hopes and dreams, sometimes they're bills and waistlines.

All of them seem to come together with the start of each new year!
The point is to enjoy each one for whatever its worth, and to not loose sight of reality.

Winter habits and holiday meals creep their way in on a year-by-year basis.
Hopefully at some point we begin learning how to balance fun and feast!

More to the point of this lesson is about overstepping the hopes, dreams and bills of our research!
Or at least, learning to curb the excitement and eagerness enough to not be wasteful!
Unfortunately, we tend to see hopes and dreams from ending standpoints.

Adding a new venue to an existing business is work, with even more to do if starting from scratch!
All of the resources required for the new venture must come from the existing ventures.
At best, this means something of a "stallout" for the previous venues.


How Did That Happen?...
Excluding any possible "Leap before looking" type mindsets, it can usually be a natural in-expierience.
Unthorough planning or understanding of prep time and needs can reduce your effectiveness.
This isn't to say that an effort isn't being made, but rather that expierience is the key!

It's a very natural thing not to know everything about anything.
But we don't always carry that understanding into new ventures that we're excited about.
We may move through the more familiar steps before they've been tuned to mesh with a new need.

To some extent, the longterm work we've done to other portions may have been forgotten.
In knowing how to add something, we can sometimes forget how long it takes to add everything.
Mis-judging the required time or effort can slow both the new and the ongoing projects exponentially.

Simply put, the first step in preparation is to understand that your "pie" will now be serving one more.
The first decision is whether to invite them for the whole meal, or to come later for desert.
Your resources will positively be split, but it's possible to defer them until later.


What Can We Do To Fix This?...
Fortunately, we as entrepreneurs are gifted with the habit of drawing on our previous expieiences!
With unknown portions we can also reason that "If someone else is doing it, we can too!".

By far the single best advantage we have at our disposal is simply accepting our limitations.
Working to the best of our ability with a realistic outlook of our resources is crucial.
The difficult part is in deciding which endeavors are given the resources.

However large or small the time and finance budget is, it's important not to be wasteful!
The only section of a hobby or business that's allowed that luxury is "R&D".
Once a pattern or process is found, all else is considered waste.

Time and money can each only be spent once.
Be frugal with their use, but be productive with both!
Use your past pro/con expieriences to make future choices.

There are bound to be areas in your growth area that are unfamiliar.
Move cautiously through "uncharted waters", rely on any related expieriences.
If you don't know what use something is-Find out! Pass or fail, you're the shipmaster!


Where Can We Find The Missing Knowledge?...
Information sources can vary according to which area you're referring to.
Regardless of the type of expansion, the information about it is still "just data".
Information resources may come as "how to", equipment specs, reviews and other.

Be skeptical about sources, just as you would be in rating any genealogical data source.
Understand that opinions are just that, but performance data and costs are rigid.
Never comprimise the integrety of your work--Omit questionable data.

Continue using the resources that are the least expensive and at the most risk for loss.
Be on the lookout/search for new places or that used to be your "2nd choice".
Before adding new areas, all subjects should have complete basic info.

At some point the "favored" resources will begin dwindling to a few.
Stay familiar with other places--They may become your "favored" by default.
Trust your instincts, but don't be afraid to change course if/when you find a better way!


What Did We Learn From This?...
It's likely that we'll each want our hobby to grow and expand into new areas at some point.
Managing that growth effectively can be the difference between fun and infuriating!

Do some extensive research. Find out where to find out about the area you're interested in.
Whether it's for equipment, information, software or other, learn about it first.
Be as factual as possible, remember that opinions are bias.

Don't be wasteful. This is a direct relation to any research that has(n't) been done.
Some R&D may be necessary before commiting to longterm methods. Set a reasonable budget.
Stay within your budgets of time, money and space. If you fail to mange them, they will manage you.

Move cautiously in new areas and be certain they relate to your main theme-Whether directly or not.
Widening the scope of a craft is generally considered good, so long as it benefits users.
Don't discard the old ways until the new methods are working properly.

Use your expieriences as a basis, but realize that you don't know it all. Stay humble.
Be prepared to change any equipment and/or methods whenever a better way presents itself.
We all feel comfortable using familiar ways, so compare productivities before making any judgements.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Expand into related areas only.
Your previous expieriences will help guide you.

Second...
In-expierience in new areas is natural.
Do your research, move slowly and don't waste resources.

Third...
Be sure there's a need for the info or service(s).
Examine why there's a need. It may be a standard, rare or difficult.



As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

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