For example, this is one of my first:
Back in 1975, I formed the Magnolia Jazz Band,
and I took care of business with only my home
telephone, my typewriter, and a little pencil
in a little spiral notebook.
In those early days the band usually worked as a trio.
And occasionally we'd assemble as a six-man
old-style New Orleans dance band, and
we'd play at big traditional jazz festivals
across the country.
One afternoon I was typing a letter to a
festival producer in Colorado. Using my
customary "hunt-and-peck" technique.
Oooops! I made a typo and had to start over.
(This might sound weird if you've always used
a word processor. But back in those days,
before today's word processors were invented,
people often hired an excellent typist to
prepare letters. Sadly, I'm not one.)
I made another typo and started again.
And another, and another.
Too frustrating! Know what I mean?
I shouted,
"This is the end! Time for a change."
So I went out and bought a used Apple IIe
computer, with a modified electric typewriter
for a printer.
As a result, I'd type a draft for a letter,
edit it as much as I'd like, and then print
a perfect copy.
First time! Amazing!
That computer was my first opportunity
to write letters in a word processor,
keep records in a data base, and tally
my reports in a spreadsheet.
I found myself doing my usual jobs much better,
plus dozens of projects I'd been only dreaming
about, all in a fraction of the time it used to take.
Buying that computer was one of my all-time
best moves. Seriously!
Talk about creating an opportunity --
my productivity skyrocketed!
Why do I mention creating an opportunity?
Because this is an easy strategy YOU could use
to help plan your wedding or your next party.
Make your own luck. Position yourself for success.
Create an opportunity for success to fall in your lap,
out of the blue.
Or to use another image, imagine you find a
great river of wedding or party planning advice,
with lots of wonderful suggestions floating by.
Seize the opportunity! Jump right in, spread
your arms, and catch as many tips as you can.
So here's that Tip I promised you:
Here's a great way to create your next opportunity.
Search online for "wedding planning" or "party
planning" websites and forums.
Find a dozen or so that talk about what you're looking for.
That speak your language -- easy to read and easy to understand.
Subscribe to the 2 or 3 that seem most helpful
for what you want. Read them regularly, take notes,
and use their best advice to begin assembling your
next celebration, even the music.
And if you're looking specifically for tips about your
wedding or party music, you can always ask me.
