Ideas are one thing, planning another and organizing YOUSELF to do it all is
perhaps the key.
An idea on its own will not guarantee you a cool birthday. We find
people simply think that the idea will solve all their headaches. Or that
it
Essentially, we believe there are three basic steps to Planning a successful
party or event. Yep, only three!
here they are:
1st : The Idea Or Theme
2nd: The Plan
3rd: Showtime!
Each has its own pitfalls and peculiarities. Today we'll focus on the
Idea - where you get them but what you do with them. I will
also create with you a way to prepare for every party you'll ever
organize.
Yes. This stuff is TOTALLY TRANSFERABLE to other events, functions, occasions
from birthday parties, to graduations, funerals, (Yes!!, funerals) and what ever
you can imagine. It all starts with an idea...
What is an idea??
The idea is the spark that ignites you -- the fuel and machinery -- to get this all
done.
I get asked every day, "How do you come up with really good
ideas?"
The trick is to have plenty to begin with!
Before you can even
get ideas you have to put aside time to let your brain know that you are in
idea-generation mode. This is a habit that will serve you well in other areas of
your life: work, parenting...so what we are talking about is a transferable
mindset or something that you can apply elsewhere.
Yep, let you brain know. Give your self permission to
stop and
do this for someone else.
We use the Party Idea Cycle™ a cool tool to get the ideas into
some order. A simple 7 steps to idea generation.:
-
Step One
Solo Ponder- you with you running your thoughts about the idea of you
organizing someone's celebration. For some this is Massive! This time is
to reflect on what's needed of you, and to be ultra sure that you are going to
commit to doing this. This commitment is crucial. Half assed is half assed. We
are playing with peoples feelings and on a day or a time when they are no:1.
Anything pulling that focus is not needed. half assed has a tendency to
pull focus if you get what I mean !
-
Step Two
Catch the idea-
Gather the elements that represent the person in question have them around you.
Things like: magazines, music, food, movies, their culture, likes, hates ...do
the big brain dumpo and throw all your thoughts on paper. DO NOT EDIT these
nuggets. Just get them down. I have a lot of these ideas on tap at BBPI. How? Habit
mostly. I have trained myself to catch ideas as the pop.
-
Step Three
Grow the idea- Use the rule of three. Learnt in my tour guiding days don't try
and put any more than three big elements together. Put them in some order and
link them in some way, so that there is a continuous
-
Step Four
Engage the masses
Get others involved. Choose wisely and really make sure they are clear on their
role.
-
Step Five
Take the idea out on the highway.
Mental rehearsal and have a RUN SHEET. No matter how small the occasion,
have it clearly stated what will happen, when, and who is responsible.
-
Step Six
Unleash the Beast
-
Put the plan into action.
-
Step Seven
Rewind the memories
After all is done and dusted, spend time running the mental dvd, to lock in
the memory. Revisit the photos, meet up and "debrief". Share the
experience here at BBPI. Tell the world!
There's seven for you to mull over, discuss and hopefully put
into practice.
What's the half step, I hear you ask? That's the
extra bit, the bit that can make it all worth while. The cherry on the cake!!
You see the focus on this article has been on you doing for others, what you do,
how you think and who you engage to help. That's fine and all very valid. BUT-- and it's a big
but -- the EXTRA juice is to forget about them at the end and acknowledge
you for conceiving-planning-and carrying out the whole operation. You've
conceived a plan, nurtured it, given it birth and allowed others to get together
and enjoy themselves. Take a bow!!!
Happy Partying.
