So How Do You Get Started? The real issue about getting started is all about capturing party ideas.
Have you ever had a real good idea for a birthday party, or for that matter anything, but when the time came you couldn't remember what it was? It happens with lots of things all the time.
Today we're going to fix that.
I suggest you create an idea bank.
Nothing complicated.
You can create a scrapbook with cut-out pictures and scribbled notes.
Don't laugh..
..
..
..
..
..
it works.
Personally I prefer a file folder on my desk top called Birthday Party Ideas.
Inside I have other folders based on family needs for my grandkids, kids and my bride.
And yes, I even have one for our little doggies.
Typically, I use these folders for data collection.
That way, when I see a party idea, gift idea, or cake idea, I do a little data collection.
If I have my camera with me that makes it all the easier, but that is not usually the case.
So I do the next best thing.
I use my cell phone and take a picture of the party idea, gift or whatever it happens to be.
Then I e-mail it to my laptop.
I may even include a text note to myself as to where I saw it and any important details like who it's for and how much it costs.
Later I download it to the appropriate file folder.
You will find a lot of ideas in magazines.
If I'm not at home or the office where a scanner is available I once again use my trusty cell phone.
I've even been known to use the scanner in my doctor's or accountant's office if I forgot my phone.
Heck, just about every printer has a scanner on it these days.
Okay, so now you want to know how I get it from their scanner to my computer.
Easy! On my key ring I keep a 4 gig thumb drive.
I like simple and handy solutions.
Another great place to find ideas is during your internet surfing.
Let's say you're on a web page that has a great idea.
How are you going to get the idea to your desktop? There are a couple of ways.
You could right click your mouse and "save picture as".
Good solution but that might not get all the text with the photo.
My personal preference is to use a "Capture" tool.
The one I like the best is JING.
It's from TechSmith and it's free.
There are versions for both PC and Mac.
Now I use it for everything.
Here's the website URL where you can get your free download.
http://www.
techsmith.
com/Jing/ There is a professional version for sale, but I've found the free version to be more than adequate for my needs.
Once you download JING using it is a breeze.
There will be a Sun icon near the top of your screen.
As you run your mouse over the Sun icon three little suns will shoot out.
The far left one is for screen capture.
Click on that and in a few seconds crosshairs will appear.
Use your mouse to set the upper left limit of what you want to capture, click your mouse and drag down and to the right until you have the area you want in the crosshair box.
When you release the mouse the surrounded area will be captured.
All you have to do then is save the screen shot in the appropriate desktop folder by following the icons at the bottom of the screen shot.
There's a more in depth self teaching aide on the TechSmith website.
Anyway..
..
..
..
that's how you start to develop good ideas..
..
...
you simply bank them.
This will pay you all sorts of new dividends later, when you need them.
Until next time, Tom Ryan "Bringing you ideas and tips for better birthdays"
Have you ever had a real good idea for a birthday party, or for that matter anything, but when the time came you couldn't remember what it was? It happens with lots of things all the time.
Today we're going to fix that.
I suggest you create an idea bank.
Nothing complicated.
You can create a scrapbook with cut-out pictures and scribbled notes.
Don't laugh..
..
..
..
..
..
it works.
Personally I prefer a file folder on my desk top called Birthday Party Ideas.
Inside I have other folders based on family needs for my grandkids, kids and my bride.
And yes, I even have one for our little doggies.
Typically, I use these folders for data collection.
That way, when I see a party idea, gift idea, or cake idea, I do a little data collection.
If I have my camera with me that makes it all the easier, but that is not usually the case.
So I do the next best thing.
I use my cell phone and take a picture of the party idea, gift or whatever it happens to be.
Then I e-mail it to my laptop.
I may even include a text note to myself as to where I saw it and any important details like who it's for and how much it costs.
Later I download it to the appropriate file folder.
You will find a lot of ideas in magazines.
If I'm not at home or the office where a scanner is available I once again use my trusty cell phone.
I've even been known to use the scanner in my doctor's or accountant's office if I forgot my phone.
Heck, just about every printer has a scanner on it these days.
Okay, so now you want to know how I get it from their scanner to my computer.
Easy! On my key ring I keep a 4 gig thumb drive.
I like simple and handy solutions.
Another great place to find ideas is during your internet surfing.
Let's say you're on a web page that has a great idea.
How are you going to get the idea to your desktop? There are a couple of ways.
You could right click your mouse and "save picture as".
Good solution but that might not get all the text with the photo.
My personal preference is to use a "Capture" tool.
The one I like the best is JING.
It's from TechSmith and it's free.
There are versions for both PC and Mac.
Now I use it for everything.
Here's the website URL where you can get your free download.
http://www.
techsmith.
com/Jing/ There is a professional version for sale, but I've found the free version to be more than adequate for my needs.
Once you download JING using it is a breeze.
There will be a Sun icon near the top of your screen.
As you run your mouse over the Sun icon three little suns will shoot out.
The far left one is for screen capture.
Click on that and in a few seconds crosshairs will appear.
Use your mouse to set the upper left limit of what you want to capture, click your mouse and drag down and to the right until you have the area you want in the crosshair box.
When you release the mouse the surrounded area will be captured.
All you have to do then is save the screen shot in the appropriate desktop folder by following the icons at the bottom of the screen shot.
There's a more in depth self teaching aide on the TechSmith website.
Anyway..
..
..
..
that's how you start to develop good ideas..
..
...
you simply bank them.
This will pay you all sorts of new dividends later, when you need them.
Until next time, Tom Ryan "Bringing you ideas and tips for better birthdays"
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