To this issue of half baked! Another picture intensive issue follows.

Enjoy,

Jan
jans@bizsmart.net
 

Mind Map: Newsletter Template

Uses: To help you develop an electronic newsletter (also called ezine) from concept to distribution.

Background:  This map has been updated from the version in the very first issue of half baked. I wanted to clean up the map and give it a fresh look. I'll be putting up some of these maps in a new area of my website soon.

How to: Click the link below to open up the map. Remember, this is based on an electronic newsletter. Use it as a planning tool, an action list, or as a foundation.

More comments: If you have anything to add to this map, please send your comments or suggestions here. Thanks!

This map (and the table of contents) was created using MindManager® X5 PRO software.
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Feature Article:  Changing Stations

I've been staring at a blank computer screen for almost four (4) hours. That is, in between checking my email 7,000 times, and browsing through and listening to a few Intern*t radio stations. 

For the last 3 hours and 55 minutes, I've listened to New Age and Alternative music. I enjoy both kinds of music immensely.

The New Age station I selected sounded promising early in the day. I heard no commercials, and enjoyed the first few songs I heard.

Then, about song number four, I found myself distracted by how much I didn't enjoy what I was hearing. I ignored it and let the music play on.

After listening to another three or four great pieces, smack, another one of those tracks played that I didn't enjoy. Certainly not life altering. Many people would simply say, this is part of life, c'est la vie.

I took control of the radio with the help of my mouse and keyboard. I tried to "fast forward" the song to the next selection. The web site did not feel obligated to cooperate as I wasn't a "registered" member.

Then I tried the mute button. I didn't know without checking the control window every 14.3 seconds when a track was complete. The mute button was simply another distraction.

Finally, after tolerating HOURS of music that I somewhat enjoyed, I changed to an Alternative Music station. I thought maybe some lyrics would help out. In short, I found the human voice distracting. :-|

After nearly four hours, I turned the music entirely off. When I did, I heard and felt that quite silence within and started typing.

I realized that I wanted the music to "inspire" me to write something brilliant, witty or insightful, and ideally all three! It did not work, or did it?

Drum roll please... The music experience reminded me that being inspired to write is about listening to my inner voice, and not the world's!

I simply had to change stations. I had to "turn off" the outside stations, and "turn on" the one inside!

Inspiration is within. It is close and within clear reach.

Today my music is the sound of the keyboard. It is the sound of my inspiration made visible into the world through words. Words that are real to me. Words that say something to me. And words that bless me with every keystroke.




p.s. I enjoy your emails.

-- Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

The content of  Half-Baked may be forwarded in full without special permission provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full attribution and copyright notice are given. Our mailing address is: BizSmart LLC
659 Auburn Ave, NE, Suite G-21, Atlanta, GA  30312 For other purposes, contact jans@bizsmart.net.