Seven Life Changing Words
Can you recall a time when a few words were life changing for you?
“Will you marry me?”
“It’s a boy””
”Shoes, 75% off”
Let me tell you one of mine. July 17th, 2001. Thursday night. 10pm.
All six kids were in their bedrooms asleep. I’m on the computer, working in Excel. I had just started my own business, and as you know marketing is paramount. So, I decided to start an online newsletter – one of the very first in New Zealand by the way, and still going strong http://debbiespeaks.com/newsletter/newsletter-current. I had some contacts from my previous job before kids.
My husband Steve walks in and for a few moments he peers over my shoulder and then asks, “What on earth are you doing Debbie?”
“Oh, honey,” I moaned! “I want to do a personalised email merge to my database.” But everyone’s first and last names are in one column. I’m splitting them apart.”
Steve then uttered seven life changing words. “Don’t do that! Use text to columns.” “Text to columns? What’s that? He proceeded to show me a function in Excel that with 3 clicks of the mouse split the 2890 names I had left apart. Instantly.
You’re thinking two things now. Cool. But life changing? Being shown that computer trick was an epiphany. Because it:
- Emphasized how little we know our software. The hidden diamonds beneath the menus, waiting for us to discover them and enrich our lives.
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- It started my quest for the modern Holy Grail. Time. And saving it. From that moment on I promised myself that when anything repetitious in nature had to be done on the computer, I would first stop. Think. Question ‘Help’. And search. for a quicker, smarter, better way.
Why don’t you become a modern-day crusader too? Learn your software to save yourself a phenomenal amount of time.
Debbie Mayo-Smith is one of Australasia’s most sought after motivational speakers and trainers. Sign up for her monthly quick tip newsletter here. http://debbiespeaks.com/newsletter/newsletter-sign-up/ To have Debbie speak at your next event or train your team call 64 27 575 5359 or visit her www.debbiespeaks.com