Are you in the beginning stages of getting started with Memory Keeping? Getting started and knowing where to go next can be one of the hardest parts. Figuring out what you want to create as your final product or end goal will guide you through the next steps of actually capturing those memories. If you don’t know what you’re memory keeping for then you aren’t going to know what to capture. The important step now is to figure out what you want to create and what you need to do to get there.
First, figure out your why…
In a previous blog post I talked about the importance of determining why you are memory keeping as the first step in your journey. Figuring out your “why” for memory keeping can be one of the most important tasks that you do. It can feel daunting or intimidating, but it’s crucial in the process in order to better understand your driving factor for why you’re going to keep going on these tasks. Memory keeping can be time consuming, but having a clear reason why gives you the motivation to keep going.
Next, map out your end goals!
The Memories Podcast talks about getting started with memory keeping in Ep. 002. We explain that getting started can feel pretty overwhelming—you might be wondering what gear you need, what programs to use, how often to do it and how to keep everything organized and safe. So, we broke it down in the podcast into a little timeline of what you need to do next.
Today we’re only going to start with mapping out your end goals. Think about--how do you want to relive your favorite memories in the coming years? Photo albums, prints, videos, journals, scrapbooks, etc. In the podcast, I talk about how my end goals include: a Smashbook style year book, our yearly recap videos, everyday photo albums, and the T&D Do Life routine vlogging that we do on YouTube.
Some end goals to consider:
A family yearbook
A yearly scrapbook
Scrapbooks for different trips or events
Chatbooks
Recap videos
Home style videos turned into professional videos
Journals
Photo Albums
Once you’ve established your end goals for Memory Keeping, then accomplishing each tasks just got a whole lot easier. While these end goals may be large scale, you can start making little goals and creating steps along the way that help you accomplish that final end goal you have in mind.
Create small goals/tasks that help you reach our end goals.
In The Memories Podcast Ep. 007, we chat about creating routines. We all know how easy it is for some of our favorite tasks to be pushed to the back-burner for a multitude of reasons. We become busy, we’re too tired, there isn’t enough time in the day, and so on. Before you know it, it’s been months or maybe even years since you’ve last done anything to continue towards your final end goals in Memory Keeping.
Creating a routine can help you reach your Memory Keeping end goals. The following questions are those that you can ask yourself when figuring out what these smaller goals and tasks in your routine need to be.
What are you going to capture?
What do you want to do? In our podcast we talk about the three main forms of memory keeping: photo, video, and journaling.
How are you going to capture it?
What are you going to use to capture these moments? Some examples of the 'what' are: Phone, Hobby Camera, Professional DSLR, Journal or computer document.
When will you capture it?
How often will you do this & when will you put a final product together. Understand that it’s okay if your routine changes as your season of life changes.
STEPS TO CREATING A ROUTINE:
1. Remember Your End Goal
What are you trying to create in the long run? This will help you figure out how to delegate your time. Reference Episode 002 - Getting Started
2. Figure out how much time you need to do a portion of your memory keeping
Think about “how long does it take me to upload my photos to my computer, edit them, categorize them and put them in my family album design?” If you aren’t sure how long it takes you, time yourself using your stopwatch one evening!
3. Find/Make Time in your schedule
Ask yourself questions like “What do you do in the evenings? Or what do I do when the kids have quiet time?" Are you endlessly scrolling on social media? If you don't have time in your busy schedule already, make time. It doesn't have to be 1-2 hours, but maybe 15-30 mins a week?
In conclusion, mapping out your Memory Keeping end goals is crucial in your process. It helps set you up for success in the long run and eases the entire memory keeping journey. Getting started and knowing where to go next can be one of the hardest parts. Figuring out what you want to create as your final product or end goal will guide you through the next steps of actually capturing those memories. We all know how easy it is for some of our favorite tasks to be pushed to the back-burner for a multitude of reasons. Once you’ve established your end goals for Memory Keeping, then accomplishing each tasks just got a whole lot easier.
