General Forum

How did you get my hobby checklist? I have never posted it online. 

I think 1, 5 and 6 should be the top 3 to concentrated on. Some of the others will come once #1 is accomplished (plus that makes #5 that much easier). I should follow my own advice and do some of the things on your list. What does that word in #6 mean "O-r-g-a-n-i-z-i-n-g"?

I think my priorities would go 6, 1, 2.

I would need my physical space first. Then it's important to me to know and catalog what I have. Then I'd want to get my trade lists in order before proposing any trades. I've had too many instances when I've been working on transactions with cards I ended up not even having to trade away.

This might seem like a cop-out answer, but do whatever it is -- on your list or not -- that doesn't seem like a job. This is a hobby. It's supposed to be fun. I love sorting cards. I love selling cards on eBay. I love the little trading I do. And I love organizing things, mostly because it gives me a chance to be with my collection. So I can't answer. #1 could be fun just because it makes you look at and/or think about all the great stuff you have. It could also be tedious as hell. And I might well be able to say the exact same things for #2 through #8. So take a deep breath, remember why you collect, and find the thing that highlights that. Then get to the other stuff when you get it to, if you get to it at all. 

I know people take their hobbies very seriously. I certainly do. But when it gets to be a chore, when you're overwhelmed by the tasks, without seeing the joy benefit that comes from it, it's time to slow down and find a way to enjoy your hobby again. That goes for collecting, or running, or theatre, or sewing, or whatever. 

Anyway, I hope you find what makes you happy in the hobby and can sound a bit less stressed about it next time you post. Good luck. 

v3

v3 said it all....HAVE FUN !!!

Are you sure you are not my long lost brother?  Cos that is exactly how I do things.

Never give up the dream. If your time is limited put together a weekly schedule with dedicated time and tasks. Stay on schedule, don’t spend more time with something and not get to something else. I’m the last one to give this type of advice but my schedule is flexible so I don’t need to allocate my time but this may help you.

nice job V, I forgot to add that part...the most important part....have fun!

some folks like trading more than organizing and some vice versa...

mark

I organize in real life, then in the digital world second.  With an organized real life you can then seperate out the work space into catalogued, tradeable, unfinished trades in waiting, and uncatalogued.  different spaces for different stages of of card preperation.  As soon as a card moves from one category to the other, its moved into its approapriate space.  

I was flipping through stations one day and a lady said when you have a list of things to do, do the hardest first. Probably could get the same advice from a fortune cookie. Good luck.