MY COLLECTION - Resolutions.....Kind Of

With just a few days left before the turn of the calendar to 2013 paired with a little time off from work, I've had a few occasions recently where I've been thinking about my collecting, my blogging as well as the hobby in general.

Now I'm not normally one to set any sort of "resolutions" when it comes to this hobby.  I think big picture enjoyment and try to stay happy within this collecting world.  For the last couple of years things have been really good.  In fact, I could very easily say that this past year has been one of the more fun ones in a while.

But I also realize that without goals and planning, things tend not to get done in my household.  So I thought I'd share with you all a couple things I'd like to get done.  Some over the next few weeks, some over the next year and some just at some point in my lifetime.

Call it more "The List" than resolutions.

1. KEEP HAVING FUN
This is hands down the most important thing on the list.  Period.  When I go out with my niece or nephew I always ask them what "rule number one" is and the answer is always "Have fun".

The moment this hobby is not fun - I'm out.


2. Get my traders scanned, itemized and posted so that they might actually benefit my pc a little more than it has in the past
I'm terrible for this one.  I've got cards to trade that aren't on any sort of list.  I've never really aggressively tried to sell any of my cards.  And I know I've got a few hundred dollars just sitting around.  A little focus in this area would be very beneficial.

I'm actually planning on working on this one this weekend.  The sooner the better.


3. Take a photo of my entire collection
I've had this idea for a while now where I'd like to take all my Linden cards out, spread them on the floor (because a table wouldn't be big enough) and take one photo of everything.  I think it would look neat.


4. Scan the front and back of every Linden card I have
This is for what will become number 5 on the list.


5. Develop THE Trevor Linden hockey card website
I'd love to show off my collection on the world wide web.  Creating and maintaining a slick looking site that shows off all of my Linden acquisitions over the years would be a ton of fun.

As well, it could be the hub for all of the 1/1 cards out there.  I've been trying to obtain scans of all the 1/1 cards I don't have.


6. Limit the amount of non-Linden card spending I do
This one is my crutch.  I'm bad at dishing out a little more than I probably should.  I need to assess this aspect of my collecting over the next little bit.


7. Continue writing/blogging at about the same pace as I have over the past 3 years
I'm at a little over 250 posts for 2012 (just a little more than the past 2 years) and I'm very happy with the amount I have written.  I would like to continue that trend but try to put a little more into my posts.

Eventually - many years down the road - I'd love to write some sort of book that is hobby related.  Even if it's for nobody else but myself.


8. Do more reading
During the month of October I undertook my '30 in 30' sports documentary project.  It was a lot of fun.  Over the holiday season my goal is to finish a book that I've been reading off and on for a number of months.  I'd also like to start on another one soon.

In fact, I'm seriously considering setting up a '12 in 12'.  12 sports books in 12 months.  This would give me the short term goal of finishing a book every 30 days.  Something that is completely do-able.


9. Create more customs for myself
I have had a number of custom projects on my plate for months (some even years).  I plan on getting the plate cleaned off completely before I go back to work.  Then, and only then, will I begin working on some custom projects for myself.  TTM mailouts, in person signatures and just designing in general.  This is an area that I need to be better at over the next year.


10.  Try to be a positive influence
I've done my best in this hobby to be honest, open and myself whenever I deal with people or blurt out my opinions.  For the most part, I'd like to think that I am a positive person.

Lately (over the past year) I've listened to and read a lot of negativity.  People disappointed in this product or that player or this box break or that ebay price.  Heck, I've jumped on that wagon a few times myself.

But I'm really going to make a more conscious decision to bring more positivity to the hobby I love.  After all, there are way more - WAY MORE good things about sportscard collecting than there are bad.  And I'm choosing to focus on those things more often than not.


Phew.  That's more than I thought I would write.

So, do you have any "resolutions" or things you'd like to accomplish over the next year?

Lastly, Happy New Year to you all.  I wish each of you the very best in 2013.  Thanks everyone.