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Mind Mapping Hacks

Would you believe that this is the process that I used to start most of my projects. It is also the way that I start 90% of my blog posts. I even write my sermons and my presentations this way.

It is called a mind map. Now I learned this technique over 30 years ago, when I read a book by Peter Russell called the Brain Book. In this book. Russell talks about how the mechanics of the brain work but more importantly he speaks of how your brain vision works. And so I've used this to be successful off throughout my life academically and as a speaker.

There are several programs that I used to help me achieve this. Of course, the easiest is always a pencil and a piece of paper. For those, who are looking for a digital version, here are the apps I use.

Mindjet (Windows/Mac/iOS)

Mindjet is more than just mind mapping software—it's a total suite of applications and tools designed to help you and the people you work with brainstorm, stay on top of projects, collaborate on tasks, and stay organized together. It's more like a complete project management and collaboration suite.

Freemind (Windows/Mac/Linux)

Freemind is a free, GNU General Public Licensed mind mapping app built in Java, so it runs on just about anything you throw it at. It's a pretty powerful mind mapping tool too, offering complex diagrams and tons of branches, graphics and icons to differentiate notes and connect them, and the option to embed links and multimedia in your mind maps for quick reference.

MindMeister (Web Application, Free)

MindMeister is by far the most simplistic mind mapping tool in the top five, but its simplicity is definitely an asset. Once you're logged into the service, you can create a fully functional mind map using little more than the directional arrows and the Insert key to add new nodes to your map.

What are some other Mind Mapping apps you use. Post below.

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Scan It! Your iPhone Makes it Fast and Easy

Do you dread having to drag out your scanner to turn even a small about of information into something electronic? Well put that cumbersome scanner aside and get out your iPhone!

While it may seem that you are simply taking a picture, which you are, a scanning app turns that picture into a real electronic file (such as a PDF), organize them as you would other electronic files, put tags on them for search purposes, and even edit the text.

What makes a good scanning app is the speed of scanning, the quality of the output, and the ease-of-use.

TurboScan

Touted as one of the best available, TurboScan is fast and offers the best results. Maybe this is because it does something unique to ensure it provides the highest quality of scan: it has you take three pictures of the same document. These three pictures are merged together to give you the best resolution possible.

DocScan

If you’re not a fan of scanning because of past experience with poor scans, DocScan knows the problems and fixes them. It knows how to find the edges on documents, straighten the text (a huge plus), and enhance the scanning results to ensure the highest quality possible.

ScannerPro

Combine an easy-to-use interface and extensive processing options, ScannerPro is ideal if you do lots of scanning now, or if you want to start scanning more (and have avoided it in the past because of the “hassle”). Use the magnifying glass to find the corners, choose if you want black and white, grayscale or color output, and adjust the contrast and brightness as necessary. There is also no need to take one picture at a time as ScannerPro makes it easy to create documents with multiple pages before they are processed.

Prizmo

Prizmo is ideal for someone who wants to scan everything from business cards gathered while at a conference or networking event (who wants to collect and carry around all those business cards) to whiteboard presentations. Not only does Prizmo scan the information, it also converts it into a text file you can edit.

CamScanner

If you need (or want) to do more than just the basic scan and save, CamScanner is the feature-filled app to use. You can merge your scanned items, protect them with a password, send them via email to others, and upload to the cloud. Evernote, Dropbox, and Google Docs are all supported.

Perfect OCR

While scanning alone is fine – in other words, you can take something printed and turn it into something electronic – most scanning-only apps don’t offer true OCR which is far more than simply scanning the item: it turns them into actual text. This text is then available for editing, copying, pasting, and searching. One of the nicest features is for those with shaky hands. The SureScan functionality takes that into account, helping to ensure the cleanest scan results possible. It also includes a translation feature for a wide selection of languages.

Sometimes you stumble upon important or valuable information; however it’s not available in electronic form. Put your iPhone to work helping gather what you need.

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Lesson Number Four: The Better You Do, the More Fun It Is

Some might say that professional athletes have the best job in the world. They get paid to play a game that many millions of people only dream about doing! They spend the day in the sun, with thousands of fans screaming their names and wearing their jersey number. How cool is that?

It is pretty cool – but only if you’re winning. If you’re in a hitting slump or your team is in the midst of a losing streak, suddenly, the sport you love isn’t that much fun. And of course, the converse is true: The better you’re doing, the more fun it is!

Translate that to the business arena. When you’re in that golden space where every product you release is a hit and your customers love you, everything is fun – even paying the bills and emptying the garbage. But when your bank balance is hovering near the red and every phone call is another unhappy client, everything seems like a chore, including the tasks you usually adore.

It is possible to make a mental shift – in fact, it’s imperative that you do so. You can’t afford the luxury of a negative attitude, so here’s how to make things more fun when it all seems to be going wrong:

  1. Focus on small successes. Did you meet a tough deadline, get a nice thank-you email, or release a new product? Recognize and celebrate these achievements, however small.
  2. Downplay the bad parts. Remind yourself that everything seems worse when your attitude is bad. Give yourself a reality check: Was the tone of that call from your partner as negative as you thought, or is your poor mental state coloring your perceptions?
  3. Choose to believe. As the famous author and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl wrote, “Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances.” You have the right and the obligation to choose your attitude – so why not choose a positive one?
  4. Do what you love. If you truly love your job in a broad sense, then the little annoyances (like emptying the garbage!) are just part of the overall mission. In other words, the more you love the big stuff, the less the little stuff matters.

No professional athlete lasts long if they don’t have mental toughness that allows them to continue on, even when times get bad. As a businessperson, you need to cultivate that same mental toughness in yourself.

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Keep Your Locker Combination in a Safe Place

Remember back in the day when the worst thing that could happen to you was forgetting your locker combination and you'd be late for gym class? Well, the stakes might be a little higher, but the challenge is the same: How to keep your private information private.

ID theft is a very real threat. In fact, ID theft complaints are the number-one complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, accounting for 26 percent of all complaints and accounting for billions of dollars in loss (2007 and 2008 numbers).

While your identity can be stolen through the postal service or by swiping your wallet, by far your greatest exposure is online. And when you're an online businessperson, that risk is even higher; not only your personal information is available, but your professional information, too. Thankfully, there are a number of low- and high-tech options for keeping track of your passwords and user names. Here are my picks:

Low-tech: You can purchase “password journals” from stationery stores, or just create your own from an inexpensive spiral notebook. On the plus side: This method is easy and inexpensive, is portable, and is perfect for technically challenged individuals. The problem is that if you don't have your notebook with you, you don't have the information – and if you lose it, you're in trouble!

Mid-tech: Start a computer file with all your password and user names in it, like an Excel spreadsheet. You can save this on your desktop, or upload it to a file-sharing service like Dropbox or Google Docs. The upside: It's free, portable, and (if you use the file-sharing service) available online from remote computers. The drawbacks: Hackable. If someone somehow accesses your spreadsheet, they have your world at their fingertips.

High-tech. Online password storage and management services are big business. Check out Roboform.com, KeePass.com, and LastPass.com. For just a few dollars a month ($29.95/year for Roboform, for example) these services will generate, store, and even fill in your passwords for you. Plus side: The safest method for managing passwords online. Downside: you have to pay.

Whatever you choose, any of these methods are more secure than using the default “password” or “12345” as your password for everything from your bank account to your Twitter account. Don't wait until someone breaks into your locker and steals your lunch money before you start protecting yourself.

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Update Yourself

Many times I turn on my computer to find a warning or alert that it is time for an update. There are many types of updates. Some are security patches. Others are enhancements. While there are some that are bug fixes. Each update is important because if you don't update, it can leave you in a deficit position.

As i updated my computer this morning, I began to think about my life. Do I need a bug fix, a security patch, pr an enhancement. It was a resounding yes. I wondered why then was I afraid of the changes that would need to happen in order for their to be an upgrade. Why run from the change. Why run from the downtime that it takes to make me a better me.

You know what my friend. There is no reason. In this season of my life, I am learning to embrace the upgrade.

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Lessons from a Homeless Woman – Part 2

Backdrop: Yesterday my wife and I stopped by the local Starbucks to get a cup of coffee. As we went to our seats, we noticed young lady sitting at the table next to us. She had her Bible out and she also had numerous bags surrounding her.

As we sat down to have a cup of coffee, we began a conversation with woman. Her name was Desiree. And, she was homeless. Now, I mention the word homeless, only because it just sets up the story and the situation.

Desiree was a lovely lady who began to share with us her story. As she shared her story, there were some very good life and business lessons that I learned. Honestly, This was one of the best breakfast times I have had in a long time. So I just wanted to share these lessons I learned from Desiree that day.

4.  Be determined to change the cycle of abuse

Desiree's back story was quite frightening. She spoke to us about being in an abusive relationship, and what she had to endure in that relationship. She spoke on the courage it took for her to walk out of that relationship. I mean the result was hard, She is Homeless. She also spoke of abuse in her family as a child. What she was determined to do was not allow that cycle of abuse to affect her children. So she courageously walked out the door, even when it was hard.

Take-home-  In business your abuse may not be a physical abuse. But you may be being abused by clients that don't pay on time or clients who pay little but demand the most. You have to have the courage to break the cycle of abuse and walk away. It may not be easy. It may be painful. But you must have courage. Desiree did.

5.  Choose to be happy

Now Desiree could've spent all of her time while talking to us, lamenting about her situation. She could have spent her time wallowing in self-pity. But she said to me,  I choose to be happy. I choose happiness over sadness. Desiree recounted a story of how other people she knew in the homeless shelter that would actually get mad at her because she had joy on the inside. She said she told him you can either be mad and sad at where you are or you can choose to be happy.

Take-home - Everything in your life is not going to be a better roses. There are going to be many days in your business with things just don't go right. There are going to be days when you can't seem to make the right decisions. And if you let that continue to only be your outlook. You're going to end up miserable and hating your business. But what you can do is in your sad times choose to be happy. It will not change the decisions. They may not even change the situation. But it will change how you process the situation.

6.  Choose liberty.

I think this one goes hand-in-hand with choosing happiness.  Desiree spoke about leaving her bad situation and moving into a good situation when post with the question as to why she would make such sacrifices why would she give up so much she said I choose to be free. Those words resonate in my spirit. I choose liberty.

Take-Home -  This one is especially for those people who are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, who are thinking about taking the leap into owning a business. The decision may be hard, the obstacles may be high, but I promise the reward is so sweet. Choose liberty.-

I so look forward to that day when I can meet Desiree again, after she's finished her process and see the transition of the transformation this journey has had on her. Desiree will have a special place in my prayers, I wish she knew how much she changed my life in those 17 minutes we sat talking  in a coffee shop.-

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Help I Have Been Compromised

A while ago I received an email from Adobe.com, that stated that my email and password had been compromised. In fact probably many of you have read this story as it was on CNN MSNBC and other news outlets.

J richard ByrdAs instructed, I went to Adobe.com and changed my password for the email I received. But thanks to my good friend Julius Clark, an IT professional, I learned of a new website called HaveIBeenPwned.com. On this website, all you need to do is put in your email address and it will tell you whether not you have been compromised on several of the larger sites that have been reported in the news.

While I knew I had been compromised with one of my email addresses on Adobe.com, I did not realize I had several account over the years. This meant I had a few addresses compromised. YIKES!!!!

Thanks to this website I was able to make those changes. And I think you should take a chance and see if you have been compromised anywhere in cyberspace. Here's what you want do.

1. Check and see if your email has been compromised by going to this site.

2. If you have been compromised, now is a good time to go and change your password.

3. Use a highly encrypted password at a minimum 12- 25 digits long. This password should contain symbols capitalization and numerals.

4. I suggest using a password safe such as last pass or one secure, to save all your passwords and make them highly encrypted.

5. Get identity theft protection. In my case Adobe is offering this for free because of the breach. But I believe in some cases you will be able to get this at an inexpensive price.

Well, I usually use different passwords and a different email address that separates my financial institutions bill payment centers from my other online activities. In this case, I see that some of my social networking email addresses have been used and have been compromised. So I have to change those just a feel safe.

As you can see, working on the Internet can be a "dangerous" place, but in most cases it is a great place to be, you just have to be careful.

So what do you do to protect yourself while on cyberspace. I'd love to hear about it. Please leave a comment below.

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7 Things You Can Do to Get More from Your Graphic Designer

As many many of you know part of my background is owning a graphics design company.

If you are really looking to make a big splash in your marketing this year a close relationship with your graphic designer is essential to that process.  There are a few things I think I can help you with to make your graphics process go much quicker.

1. Create an Event Calendar

One of the greatest things you can do for your graphic artists, is creating an event calendar. Now the always events that come up on the fly. But I am sure that there are annual events that you do, that you can give your graphic artist notice. Understand is that creativity works best when it has had some time to simmer. That being said, the longer you can give your graphic artist to think through and create a solution for you. The better off you will be. An event calendar doesn't have to be anything difficult. It can just be a Word document with a title of the month and then the three or four visits that you want to do right underneath that.

2. Take Professional High Resolution Pictures

With any project, the better the foundation the better the results. With graphics, our foundation starts with the pictures. I can't tell you how many great designs we've created have been killed by lackluster pictures. Not here a list of pictures every person needs to have.

  • A good quality head-shot. Make sure you  are fully framed, with no arms cut off
  • A good quality all body shot.  Same thing here to make sure that nothing on your body is cut off. Your graphic artist will
  •  a good quality action shot
  • Try to have some done without a lot of background ie trees, flowery backdrops
  • If you are wearing dark -- shoot on a lighter background -and vice versa --

The shots need to be high resolution JPEG's.  These pictures need to be taken on at least eight to 12 megapixel camera with good lighting.

3. Put Them on Retainer

Your designer can be your best asset when preparing your brand and how that is portrayed to the greater arena. Have your designer allows you to have greater access to the creativity of the designer. The flip side is that if your designer has s steady income and steady flow of work from you, they can plan better and allocate more time to your project.

4. Stop Sending Stuff Last Minute

Self explanatory -- All I ever hear from some clients is I need this right away. This is not to say that there are some real time sensitive items, but for the most part you have known about your event, product launch, etc for a long time. Give your designer time to think and create his/her best for you.

5. Keep Your Changes Down to 3 changes.

Every time you send your design back to the board - your designer loses money. The more money your designer lose, the worst your product will get. This is the truth. Stop trying to design by committee. Make all of your changes at one time and again give your designer time to create.

6. Decide if you want an employee or a consultant.

Your graphic designer is a learned and trained professional. At least they should be. If they are not, you need to fire them right away. An employee is some one you tell what to do, and how to do it. A consultant is some one who has expertise in an area. You have to decide if you want someone to draw what you have in your mind or create. Those are two different things.

7. Remember your graphics person is a Professional - Stop micro designing.

This one is tied to number 6. STOP MICRO-DESIGNING. Designers want your input, but there is a line between input and you using your designers skills to work for your "inner designer". Designers understand that it is your product. But, you are hiring them for their expertise. Leverage their expertise. If you could do it yourself you would not need them.

Bonus: PAY ON TIME!!!!!!!

This is not an exhaustive list - but if you start here it will make life much easier -- Let me hear from my graphic designers out there -- What else can people do to better use your services? Comment below -

 

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I Am Closing My Facebook Profile

Ecclesiastes 3:1 states: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens":

The time has now come for me to leave Facebook. I have been preparing for this for over a year. I am the administrator of hundreds of pages & groups, 1000's of pictures, and plenty of videos so you know the process has been grueling.

What was more difficult, was knowing I would not be able to have a daily contact with all of the new friends I have met on Facebook, including some who are now considered family.

What Precipitated this?
There are several reasons. Engagement, analytics, time, FB drama. All of those things have played in a role. My client base is no longer on FB. My business has moved to such a level that I cannot spend as much time on this profile as I would like.

While I will not have a personal profile, I will have a public business page. All of my friends will be transferred to that page in the coming days. There are a number of projects I have in my mind or on paper that I want to launch.
On a personal note, this has been an incredible journey. Who knew that I would meet such great people. That this experiment called Social Networking would keep me connected to family far and wide. We have laughed, We have cried. You have helped me through failures and helped me celebrate successes. I am eternally grateful for each of you.

You can still connect with me on
Twitter: @byrdology
Instagram @byrdology
My website: https://www.jrichardbyrd.com

[callout]"I have dreams that are so big they scare me. So Everyday I choose one small thing that will take me closer to my dream and I do it to the best of my ability." Darren Rowse[/callout]

Thank you for your friendship -- See you on the other side. Remember IMPACT the World!