Money and repurposing items

We need it, don't we? Money. We rarely barter these days. I'm fortunate that I have skills with which to barter, and I have. I have friends who are artists who barter for trade. Now people are hoarding "essentials," like toilet paper. There's not a reason to do that. However, now that more people are ordering items online and having them delivered or doing curbside pick-up, we are shopping differently. Are you looking at what is essential in your household and life? How are you budgeting your money? Are you making different choices now than you did a week or 2 ago? Are you living the same as before because you already were pared down to essentials? Are you careful with your money? Or are you splurging? Are you buying things you wouldn't ordinarily? Have you become resourceful? Having gone through an ugly child custody case and having to pay my ex a lot of money, I learned to get by on very little. Of course, I already knew how to do that since my parents weren't wealthy, and my grandparents grew up in the Depression. Everything was repurposed. Recycling wasn't a new thing in our family. Being creative with simple recipes wasn't new either. My kids think I hoard. I don't really. I have difficulty letting go of things that I know are still useful. Unfortunately I don't usually have a lot of spare time to dig through the garage to go through those things. Circumstances have caused me to clear our areas at times. However, I know there are bags of clothes that might be useful to someone in some way. What are you repurposing? Are you discovering new or rediscovering old/simple recipes? Are you making your own bread? Are you clearing out the garage or closets? Are you sharing items with others in need? I have used washcloths in place of toilet paper. So long as I have soap and running water, I can survive almost anything. I can get by without electricity. Water is essential. I even suggested to friends who have babies to consider cloth diapers since I used them and washcloths with my kids instead of diapers and wipes. The babies had less incidences of rashes when using cloth diapers. Those mothers aren't ready yet to try cloth diapers. I can understand that. If you are stuck at home, cloth diapers are easier and cheaper and cleaner than disposable. I'm willing to help with that process when/if they make that decision. What skills are you offering to others? Are you teaching others how to homeschool or do video conferencing? Are you teaching others how to work from home or crochet or cook? Are you cleaning and organizing long forgotten areas in your life and reliving memories? How are you offering skills to the service of others? How are you repurposing items? How are you being mindful with items, money, time, and skills?

Games

I grew up playing various forms of solitaire and card games since we traveled and camped a lot. We didn't do a lot of board games since they were difficult to take in the car for camping. My daughters and I played a lot of card games and did puzzles while they were growing up. Others in the family played board games and dominoes. We also played video games. Which games did you play as a kid? Which ones do you love and miss? Which ones don't you want to play ever again? Why? Dust off old games. Pull out a puzzle. I played a math-based solitaire game with the littles the past 2 days. They love that they are playing a game to learn factors of 10. They also know that once they get it down fast, they will work on factors for 11, 12, and 13 (adding face cards to the game). They were playing games that have math in them. They love learning new games, so giving them games with math is easy. They are reading the instructions with me. We've done some simple science experiments, too. Kids are usually curious, so use that to your benefit. Lots of science videos and Sesame Street for screen time. Lots of educational video games, too. I want to find Between the Lions for reading. I also played Cooties with the littles. It's a basic game to learn patience, take turns, and learn dice. They loved it. They got to play with the creation of their cootie while learning patience because the dice son't give you or others the number you want to get the piece you need. It's anyone's game. I'll be introducing them to storytelling and basic D&D type gaming because they love stories. One little realized that the milk cartoons have jokes on them. I read one to him, and he guessed the answer after having read the other 2. He giggled because he figured out the word play. "what starts with T, ends with T and has T inside?" ... "A teapot" He read it and giggled because he understood it. "Why did the monster get a tummy ache?" ... This one was harder for him. "It was goblin its food." That one was a vocabulary lesson. Daddy has lots of monster posters. He hadn't heard the term "goblin." "Why don't strings ever win a race?" .... He thought about this one. I waited. I asked him about different kinds of strings and led him to shoelaces. Asked him what they do and why they wouldn't win a race. His face lit up when he told me, "They tie!" Then he giggled when I told him he was right. He looked shocked until I showed him that the carton showed, "They always tie." If you are dealing with little ones, remember the games you loved as a kid. Dust them off. If you play games with them already, find new lessons to incorporate into the game play. If you don't have kids at home, pull out games, books, puzzles. One of my daughters and I always play card games when there's a storm going on and we lose power. There are lots of reasons to teach kids about the value of games and books. Use this time to rediscover the ones you loved as a kid.

Favorite quote

Do you have a book or story you love? Why? Do you have a favorite quote or passage? Write it down. Review it. Why do you love it? Hate it? Why are you impacted by it? Later in life I was introduced to Dune by Frank Herbert by someone very important to my life. A popular quote from the book: "Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me." I have that quote posted in my bedroom because there were days I couldn't move out of that room or couldn't go to sleep at night because of the worry and fear that was paralyzing me. I would read this quote over and over until I felt calm. Then I would list out all the things I feared. Then I would decide what was rational and what wasn't. What could I control? What was out of my control? The Serenity prayer would help, too: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." Sometimes, I had to have the courage to cut people out of my life who served pain and not help to me and my family. Sometimes I had habits that were not helpful. They may not have been harmful, but they weren't positively serving me either. What are you afraid of? What fears are overtaking you at this time? Are they real? Why do you think that? Do you have other resources available to you? Do you fear running out of something? What? Do you have access? What are other ways to getting items? Are you afraid of being alone--with yourself or with your thoughts? Can you call someone for support? Are you afraid to be alone with someone who is abusive or needy? Who are in your support system? Are you afraid to be alone with children? Look for activities to do that help you all grow as individuals. Are you afraid to be with someone who is medically in need? Who do you have for support? Do you have an online doctor/nurse you can call if there's an emergency? Do you have an emergency plan in place? Is this situation causing you to re-evaluate your fears and systems in place to handle those fears? What other books and quotes are helping you in times of uncertainty?

Simple meditation

In times of uncertainty, I am grateful for this simple prayer: Ho'oponopono https://www.laughteronlineuniversity.com/hooponopono-4-simple-steps/ I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. You can easily turn this into a journal project: I love you: Who do you love? Why? What have they done for you? What do you do for them? I'm sorry: What do you regret doing or saying or not doing or not saying? What do you wish you could redo? How would you treat people or situations differently? Please forgive me: In several traditions and systems, you can seek making amends. Directly or indirectly. How can you make amends for what you listed above? Can you donate time, energy, skills to help others? Were you physically abusive to another? Can you make a direct apology? Can you volunteer services at a shelter to help others negatively impacted by domestic violence? Can you share compassion on other ways? Buy someone's groceries? Record stories? Drive people who can't drive themselves to appointments. Crochet/knit/sew blankets for newborns in NICU. Find people in need, like elderly or disabled or single mothers, who need help around the house and repairs. How can you be of service to others? Thank you: For what are you grateful? For whom in your life are you grateful? DO they know this? Why are you grateful for them? What do you take for granted? Share the love.

Reading

Don't have enough time to read? Now you do. Free books: http://read.gov/books/ Free books for kids: http://www.magickeys.com/books/ Storyline Online: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnBdzaRy-Ky9Vh54XJlFz1Q Choose something you have always wanted to read. Read something new. Listen to a book. Find a new podcast.

Learn new skills

So many posts this week show education resources. View museums virtually. Watch livestreamed concerts and lectures. Choose one, and do it. Here are 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free: https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/here-are-380-ivy-league-courses-you-can-take-online-right-now-for-free-9b3ffcbd7b8c/?fbclid=IwAR0RicSwlSrn-g4tmn2hdaidRGeqq_DQGJimVIe--8qcexOqmGKhnDfaa0s Virtual Museum Tours: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours Virtual tours and visits: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/03/9576127/free-virtual-tours-online 300 virtual museums: http://www.virtualfreesites.com/museums.museums.html Learn a new language: https://www.duolingo.com/ Drawing classes: https://www.udemy.com/topic/drawing/free/ More drawing classes: https://www.thoughtco.com/free-online-drawing-classes-1098200 Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/ Aquarium webcams: http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/exhibits/webcams What have you found? What did you try?

Beliefs

What do you believe? Truly, deeply believe? Is it your belief or is it based on something someone else told you? Parents? Clergy? Media? What are your limitations as a result of those beliefs? The first writing topic I give my students: If you could do anything (without limitations or restrictions of time, space, skills), what would you do? Travel to another place and time? Meet someone? Who? When? Where? Create a list of at least 10 things you would want to do without restrictions. Then choose one. What is currently holding you back? Write down all the ways to do it--whatever "it" is. Want to travel? What's keeping you from doing it? Money? There are ways to travel and stay on people's couches. Time? Do a day trip to someplace new? History buff? What's a historical place nearby you can visit? Love animals? Where can you go to visit new animals? Zoo? Nature preserve? Animal sanctuary? What resources are available to you? Is there a person you can visit or talk with who can help you with this skill? Why do you think you can't do this? Who told you you can't do it? A friend of mine was singing while cleaning her house for a party. I walked into the same room, and she stopped. I asked her why. She said she was told she couldn't sing. I asked for details. Turns out when she was in middle school and in choir, she was feeling under the weather. So, in choir, she mouthed words instead of singing since she knew her voice was off. The teacher saw she was mouthing and made her stand and sing in front of the class. When her voice cracked, the teacher mocked her in front of the class and told her to not sing another word. As a result, she didn't sing in public again. She let some bitch tell her she couldn't sing when she knew her voice wasn't in good condition. She let that teacher influence her joy in singing. I held that mirror up to her. She realized she let one person negatively impact her life. She let go of that negative belief and really listened to her voice as she sang. She wasn't making "a joyful noise." She has a beautiful voice. Since then, she has sung at many public events and to her daughter. You choose your limitations. What are you choosing? Why? What purpose does that limit serve you? Are you protecting yourself or others? What would you realize about yourself if you tried to do more, be more?

Creativity

We are all creative in our own way. What would you like to learn? A language? New skills? Recipes? What do you want to learn? How to fix things around the house--like basic plumbing or car mechanics? Pick a skill you wish you knew. Do you already have a book on it? Is there a YouTube channel or blog on the topic? Set aside 15-30 minutes to find more information on the topic. Do you have all the necessary items/ingredients? Try it. What can go wrong? What can go right? Will you surprise yourself? Will you be less dependent on someone? Will you have more appreciation for those who have that skill? What will you learn today?

Writing during uncertainty

Do you have a journal? Are you writing on laptop? Start with gratitude list. Then list of things to do/ change. Pick one, and list steps to achieve goal. When you get stuck, ask yourself, "what should I do now?" Return to list. If you are stuck at home, look around you. What do you have? What do you need? What can you cull? What can you donate to others in need? Rediscover a sense of wonder. Go outside and breathe deeply. What do you see? Be mindful and in the moment. When you drink your coffee, tea, water, juice, whatever. Savor every flavor. The initial taste and sensation. The after taste. The temperature. Mindfulness is a simple and complicated skill. This skill requires slowing down and being deliberate with what you are doing and saying and not doing. Are you eating well? What are you craving? I was taught at a young age that if I craved something, so it because there's a purpose. If you're craving a food, eat a little to satiate the need. Then slow down and figure out why you have that craving. If you are craving to go out, why? What do you want to do really? What are you avoiding? A friend told me that when I listened to music and tv all the time, even when in the shower, that I was avoiding silence and my own thoughts. Is that what you're doing? Are you avoiding being alone with your thoughts? Are you avoiding your faults? Your dreams? Your lack? Did you make resolutions and not start any of them or give them up? Are you feeling guilty? Use this time to focus on one goal. Just one. Write a list of things you want to do. Pick one to start. Or roll the dice to see which one you should try today. Do one thing today for 30 minutes. I was told once by a student that he felt he could attend and focus one minute for every year old he is. That makes sense. A 7-year-old can attend for about 7 minutes. When I teach classes, I keep the lessons to 15-20 minutes and then redirect the assignment or change from lecture to group work to individual work to lecture. The changing focus every 15 minutes allows the monkey brain to redirect to a new activity--or a new piece of the puzzle. That's why my students were so successful in learning what I gave them. They could take a complex task, break it down to bits, and focus on one piece at at time. What do you want to accomplish during this time? Or are you wasting it? Are you avoiding? I'll give new topics to explore. Let's see what you accomplish?

Power of sound and words

There is power in words and sounds. Affirmations and spells require you need to be mindful of the words you choice and use. Use positive instead of negative words. Mantras and songs are similar in their power. (Shanti for peace is less physically explosive in sound.) January moon I handed out mantras to try and see how they impact your life. Feel free to find others. I have done prayers for years with meditation and while driving, walking, rocking babies, dealing with cancer, holding sick friends and kids. Some goddesses have mantras associated with them---especially Asian/Indian ones. Find one that suits you or what you want. Put it on a notecard and recite frequently. Put it on your mirror. Find a way to incorporate the some or mantra. I have many CDs because I love the chanting and songs. If you want to check any out, please let me know.

Clear goals

The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, learn about them, or even seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them. - Denis Waitley

Your goals may deal with self, community or others. They may deal with self improvement and/or spirit. They may deal with job and finances. They may deal with improving relationships, communication, attitude. Whatever your goals, write them down. Look at them. What are you willing to do or not do to achieve those goals?

Put it in writing and someplace where you are regularly reminded. Don't be so rigid that you can't modify the goals or steps to achieve those goals. What do you really want? Focus on that.

Affirmations

"When reciting affirmations, feel the words in your heart as you say them and know that what you feel you'll create." - Peggy McColl, Author of Relax Your Way to Wealth


Simple magic--must have energy, focus, and intention. You have to believe it before it becomes a reality. However, if it doesn't happen, then you need to reexamine what you requested (djinn's curse, check your wording) and look for obstacles that must be cleared before you can "see" your outcome/goal manifested.

Individuals do this in many ways. However, the reason many folks don't get that for which they wish is they didn't have a clear picture (focus) or enough energy built up for it. A passing fancy is less likely to manifest than a passion.

Also, what's your intention? Did you word it in the positive? I stopped using "no worries" because, although it's a positive message, the phrase is comprised of two "negative" words." "It's all good," although in passive verb form, the message and words are positive. Instead of saying "don't forget," say "always remember." the intention, energy, and focus are different.

If you are making New Year's resolutions, check your wording and fully feel and see what you want manifesting. You can write out the steps to accomplish that goal (break it into bite size pieces) and focus on the steps while envisioning the manifested end.

Try it. Talk to others. You don't have to do this alone. You have a support system here to help you solidify those goals or help you brainstorm ways to accomplish those goals.

Sparking thoughts

I post quotes and musings here to see if anything sparks for others and to get feedback to see if I'm seeing things clearly/completely.

Words, unfortunately, frequently fall short of expressing what we think, feel, believe. We can be misunderstood by the words we choose because the reader may have a different infliction/ slant/ meaning to the word we choose, so we must be willing to clarify and define for better communication.

The quotes I put here are because they strike a chord of truth for me. If they help others, then fabulous. I keep a Word doc full of them. When I'm feeling at a loss, like I'm swimming in the abyss, I scroll through them or flip through various books to find something to latch on to. The words are usually something I have a strong feeling about (love or hate), and so I explore why I am having such a strong reaction to them. This is how I do tarot readings for folks as well. They choose cards toward which they have strong reactions, and we explore those.

I feel we should do the same with the words and actions of the people around us. If we have a reaction to something a friend says to us or about us, we may have to explore that to see if we find truth there and what that may be.

Creativity

Are you tired of reading dry, dull, dusty writing? It may be a flyer, email, memo, advertisement, or other piece of writing that crosses your path. Certain things catch our eye--colors, movement, sounds. Words paint pictures that sell an image, an impression. In the business world, this is frequently called "branding." It's simply creating an image.

If you want to catch someone's attention, think about your intention. What do you want to be the lasting impression? What words will create that effect?

If it helps, work up a journal of comparable words and images so you'll have a resource for later.

For instance, look around you. How many shades of blue do you see? Can you describe them al distinctly so another person will know which one you're referencing. Is it clear sky blue? Close to the shore sea blue? Brand new denim blue? Worn in faded blue jeans blue?

The words you use paint a picture in the reader's mind. Even if you're writing a memo or technical manual, be mindful of the words you choose and the image they convey because the words will influence your reader.

Next time you have to write something, take a moment. Take a deep breath. Picture what you want as the outcome. Write this down so you have a clearly defined goal in mind. Then brainstorm on words that will help convey that image.

Unexpected and familiar images will pop in the reader's mind--what image do you want to convey? What words will paint the impression. Do you want broad, sweeping strokes or precise lines? Play with the words until you create the impression you want. Try writing up the piece using different images. After you've written up a coupld different forms, read them out loud. How does the piece make you feel? Is this the impression you want to convey to the reader? Why?

Be creative. Don't be afraid to put words on paper. It's not wrong or right so long as you write. Let your imagination play. Creative, fun, thought-provoking images stick in our minds. We carry them around and review them from time to time. If you want the reader to think about you or your product, make sure the image sticks, so be creative with the images and words.

Take time to play with the words and build up your journal reference of images and words. Then the next time you have soemthing to write and you want the writing to catch the reader's attention, you'll have had some practice and some words as back up.

Keep your variations. You never know when a writing or impression will work. What you write may not work for the current target audience, but that audience may change. Keep your various drafts for later reference.

Start now keeping this journal reference. The more you practice, the easier this process will be for you . . . and this process will take less time with each successive attempt.

Regardless of what you're writing, why, or for whom, the better the picture you draw, the more likely the reader will listen to your point of view. Now you've got their attention.

Organizing tasks

I’ve been reading some interesting information on people wasting time at work. Since I also teach writing classes, I'm frequently reminding students to follow the process: brainstorm, rough outline, rough draft, and then revision. Too many people jump to the end trying to have a completed paper/project without any preparation, which wastes a lot of time in the revision phase that would have been eradicated if they took a few minutes to work up a rough outline organizing ideas.

Brian Tracy writes about how to prioritize tasks in several of his business books. Taking a few minutes to list out tasks and prioritize them, especially putting the biggest or most difficult task first, allows an individual to be the most productive with one's time and energy. Minor tasks can be picked up any time during the day or put off until later, but difficult task need to be approached and finished first. I find a list of tasks makes frequent interruptions while I’m working (phone calls, kids, clients, whatever) less of an annoyance since I can go to the list and pick up the next task.

What should you do? Write a list of tasks to do for the day, week, and month. Prioritize them; find the biggest, ugliest, most time-consuming one and put it first. Is it necessary? Do it first. Break it into manageable pieces. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Do the same with your list of tasks. Give a deadline for each task. Are any time sensitive? Note that. Put it on your calendar. Better yet, back up a few days and put the task there, too, so you have “wiggle” room to complete the task.

Why list out and prioritize tasks? More work completed earlier and faster. This leads to less frustration and less stress. That means more time for you and better mental and physical health.
Take a few minutes every day to create your list. Later during the day, check where you are in your list. Re-prioritize if necessary. You’ll find you’re getting more work done faster.
Then you can really breathe easy.

Ghostwriting for CEOs

Ghostwriting someone's blog seems to be stirring up some interesting discussions. I have a question for you. How is having a ghostwriter for a blog any different than a secretary cleaning up a boss's letters, emails, or other communications? As long as there have been businesses, secretaries have been fixing errors in letters and other communications. Some bosses would simple tell the secretary to pen a letter to a particular individual and leave the specific wording to his/her discretion; meanwhile, the boss would simply read the letter before signing and make any revisions at that time. Isn't ghostwriting a CEO's blog similar? If the CEO talks to the ghostwriter about potential topics, the ghostwriter has some direction and focus for the postings, making sure to run the copies by the CEO for any necessary revision and the final copy for approval. Smart, effective CEOs hire smart, effective administrative assistants, so why not hire a creative, well-spoken ghostwriter?

How to grow success

Unfortunately we live in the fast-fix world . . . fast food, overnight delivery, etc. We want “it” now. Our society has become one of instant gratification, which means we have become increasingly impatient. Email gets us updates now instead of waiting for a response in a letter.

How does that translate to personal and business growth? We read a book and hope that through osmosis we will learn and assimilate the information. We need to keep a journal/diary with a list of goals and steps to achieve those goals. If we see the information written down as a checklist, we’re more likely to follow through and achieve those goals. Otherwise, time gets away from us.

At least with the First Friday Book Synopsis (http://www.karlkrayer.com/), folks get a monthly reminder to do better now. For personal growth, it would be better if folks walked out of the FFBS meeting with a list of action items–things to do at work or in their personal life based on the information presented that morning. Then folks could effectively use the material rather than think “one day, maybe, I should.”

We can't grow a garden overnight. We must first plant seeds, nurture and weed, and then reap the fruits of our labor. This takes time and focused intentions.

Seduction and the Argument paper

An argument paper is all about showing readers a viewpoint they may not have considered before. The purpose is not necessarily to change the readers’ mind about the topic so much as to have them look at this point of view, realize that it is a valid perspective, that they may want to review the information.

The best way to convince someone of another side is to be clear and specific. The narrower the thesis, the easier it is to prove. Additionally, the more specific in each argument point, or claim, the easier it’ll be to have the reader “buy” that point and then the next one and the next.

How do we convince someone of our point?

Let’s look at something most folks want to do with a persuasive voice—seduction. Put aside trying to get a job (cover letter and resume) or validating a political point. Most folks would like to persuade someone to go home with them.

So how do we do that?

To seduce a person, especially a woman, seduction must begin with the mind. This requires words.

Try going up to a prospective “target” and tell him/her, “I want to bed you. Come home with me now.” Although the direct approach may be refreshing to some people, most folks would find this candor a bit offensive.

Try a different approach: paint a picture. The more descriptive, sensory details, then the more enticing and alluring the perspective. The person will be more inclined to stay a little longer and see what else is to come.

Trying telling the person the following: “I would like to run my fingers through your hair and let my finger tips lightly trace along the side of your face, down your neck, and along the top of your shoulder. I’d like to have my lips hover over your skin on your neck, lightly press against your skin, then hover just above, letting my lips feels the heat from your skin. Then I’d let my lips gently graze your neck, down to where your neck meets your shoulder, letting my lips, warm and soft, kiss your skin.”

To which technique would you succumb? Which would keep you closer to see what’s next?

Now try this technique with an argument topic.

You’re trying to convince people that convicted pedophiles should be mandated to live in very specific locations instead of the distance regulation (not allowed to live within 1000 feet of a school, park, or day care).

The writer could simply stick to an ethical (ethos) argument: Pedophiles prey on children and should not live where they have easy access and view of children.

However, using some emotional appeal (pathos) may add some depth and dimension to the argument: Pedophiles should be required to live in specified areas only. Keeping them from living in a particular radius from where children frequent does not stop them from visiting those areas. A pedophile can still sit at a park or near a school and watch the children play, bending over to pick up toys, running and tumbling, climbing on the equipment, swinging their chubby legs while crossing the monkey bars or kicking their legs while swinging. The pedophile can sit and watch the childen’s round cheeks and broad smiles, listen to their easy laughter and high-pitched squeals. He can dream of taking one home, holding that innocence, trying to lay claim to the sweetness the child exudes.

Which argument would convince you to review pedophiles and zoning regulations?

The more specific and descriptive the writer paints the picture, the more likely the reader will look closer at the topic, spending some time to ponder the point. This technique makes a more convincing argument than straight facts.

Plethora of business books

People learn in different ways. Howard Gardner has written several books on multiple intelligences, and people may play to their strengths, learn the way they were forced to in school or feel left out.

Various business books (written in fictional/fable format or fact-driven format) appeal to different kinds of learners. Stories usually employ visual stimuli, and the majority of people are visual learners; therefore, stories appeal to them. However, folks need to have options; they need to have opportunities to find the style that best suits them and the way they process information.

Since I teach learners of various age groups and backgrounds, I have found multiple approaches to material give learners the opportunity to get the information the way they need. The analytical folks will skip to the end of a story to find the posted moral, like one would find with Aesop’s fables. Visual folks will look for pie charts and graphs. Musical folks will “listen” to the book and see if the information “sounds” true. Tactile learners will need to “feel” the information, work it with their own hands, and experience it.

If the information in the various business books weren’t valid, they wouldn’t be selling–unless they have amazing marketing people. Folks need to find the style of book that works for them, but they should also be aware that the people with whom they work may learn in a different way and may need the information presented in a format that best appeals to them.

After the storm . . .

After the brainstorm come clear skies . . . at least one can hope, right?

After you have generated ideas about your purpose and ideas to explain that purpose, your paper should look like a bloody mess. This unorganized randomness may bother you; however, this part is like cleaning out your garage. Once everything is down on paper, you can decide what to keep, what to discard, and what ideas group together.

Do not ever throw these ideas out since you may need them later for a different project or later on in this project. Since you don't want regrets or wasted time, keep all brainstorming sessions with your notes on projects--at least until the project is completed. Then you can keep the final product and toss the notes that lead to its completion.

At this stage, you can either get a clean sheet of paper to group ideas or use a different colored pen to circle what you want to keep and draw lines between connected ideas. This is similar to mind mapping where you have a main circle in the center (hub) of the page and spokes out from the hub are related ideas. . . . like this: o--O--o.

For example, if you are planning an event, you may have the name/type of the event in the center. Then you would have sent out one line to a circle for budget, another for invitations/guests, another for decorations/theme, another for presentation/speakers, another for food, and another for staff. You may need more later or related to each of the topic points listed. However, this format will allow you the opportunity to see what you need to do and review. You can work up a checklist for each of these sections and a person delegated to head each part.

Once you have the items and ideas organized, you can see what you're missing, if you're missing anything. This step will give you a chance to step back and review what you need to do without your head being muddled with ideas and no clear direction. Once you have the ideas organized, you can then work up a rough outline that will keep you focused as you put together your document.