Hey, it’s Terry here.
♏ Happy Tuesday the 4th of November 2025.
I’m writing this newsletter from Norah Head Caravan Park, a great location for families to stay. I grew up camping around Hill End and the Wolgan Valley near Bathurst/Lithgow, and now it’s holidays in a caravan, what a great way to enjoy life!
For all those Scorpio’s like me, have a great birthday this month! It’s so humbling but exciting when your family and friends gather around and sing happy birthday to you. It makes you feel grateful for having them in your life.
Thanks to my daughter Keryn who made my keyboard birthday cake! It’s just so fitting for me!
keyboard birthday cake!
In this week’s issue:
Tech tips - Shortcut to insert Emoji’s and the easiest keyboard shortcuts to remember.
What ChatGPT said when I asked about upgrading it to a paid subscription.
How to tweak ChatGPT settings for better and more personalised responses.
I reveal my all time favourite app!
what are the best plants for the office
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EMOJI’S 🏇🏽🐷🍎🐝🐞🍔🤖🦀🏃🏽🍩🍾🚻
In many apps, you can press the Windows key + full-stop key ( . ) to search and insert emoji’s. Don’t be shy to use them in light hearted emails to brighten them up.
SHORTCUTS
~~~I highly recommend learning a keyboard shortcut every week or two. It’s a fast and efficient way of working!~~~
➡️Keyboard Shortcuts
These work in many apps not just Microsoft and are easy to remember because the shortcut key matches the first letter of the word.
Copy - Ctrl C
Paste - Ctrl P
Italic text - Ctrl I
Bold text - Ctrl B
Underlined text - Ctrl U
Save your work - Ctrl S
TECHNOLOGY
~~~I highly recommend learning a keyboard shortcut every week or two. It’s a fast and efficient way of working!~~~
➡️Keyboard Shortcuts
These work in many apps not just Microsoft and are easy to remember because the shortcut key matches the first letter of the word.
Copy - Ctrl C
Paste - Ctrl P
Italic text - Ctrl I
Bold text - Ctrl B
Underlined text - Ctrl U
Save your work - Ctrl S
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💻 What ChatGPT said when I asked if I should start paying for it?
I’ve previously entered data about me in the Personalisation settings in ChatGPT (instructions below) so it knows me well and I imagine it takes into account what questions I’ve asked it in the past. I don’t use it a great deal so I’m on the free version.
Here’s ChatGPT’s response to me and it’s verdict on whether I should upgrade from free to paying:
👍 You might want to subscribe when:
You find yourself hitting the usage limits of the free plan: frequent “try again later” messages, or slow/busy responses.
You regularly use ChatGPT for work: e.g., generating reports, analysing spreadsheets, teaching others, automating workflows — so the time saved justifies the cost.
You need the more advanced features: higher-capacity models (like GPT-4o), faster response times, file uploads/analysis, better performance during peak load.
You want fewer interruptions and more reliability for your workflow (rather than casual use).
👋 You can wait (or stay free) when:
You use it occasionally or for simple tasks (e.g., brainstorming, light admin help, “just when I need it”). The free plan often covers a lot.
You’re not yet convinced you’ll get enough benefit (time-savings, extra productivity) to cover the subscription cost.
You’re fine with some waiting or occasional slower responses, or you’re experimenting.
🧮 ChatGPT’s verdict (for me, based on my profile):
Since you’re a bookkeeper, love Excel, teach productivity — you could get substantial value from a paid tier if you use ChatGPT regularly for:
Automating parts of your workflow (data analysis, formula help, macros, etc.)
Teaching others and creating productivity content (the more often you use it, the more value)
Uploading spreadsheets, getting deeper insights, working with the AI not just for simple chat but for “doing work”.
If you’re only using it now and then, I’d say wait until you’re hitting the limits or have a project that demands more. When you start seeing “free plan is slowing me down” — that’s your trigger.
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🫂 Add your personal profile to ChatGPT for better responses
When you create a profile on a dating app you describe yourself, what you like and don’t like and the type of person you’re looking for.
Same goes with ChatGPT. You give it information about yourself, what you want and like, and anything you think might be important to help it answer your prompts the way you want them answered. That way the answers fit your style or needs, and ChatGPT will communicate with you accordingly.
In the bottom left corner of ChatGPT, click on your profile / Settings / Personalisation / Custom Instructions, and answer these 4 questions.
What should ChatGPT call you? Enter your name or nickname, or even a random name like the one that as a 10 year old, you wished your parents called you.
What do you do?
You could describe your role at work. You might also add your main tasks at work, responsibilities, and what type of business you work in.
Example: "I work as an administrative assistant, managing office tasks like creating documents, reception work, and answering customer queries on the phone and by email. I also assist with various projects to help the team stay on track."
What traits should ChatGPT have?
You could specify that you want responses to be direct, clear, and not overly long. Maybe also mention that you would like a professional tone, and a style of communication that is easily understood by most people.
Example: "ChatGPT should be direct, to the point, and professional. A light touch of humor when appropriate is a plus, but responses should avoid rambling and use plain english."
Anything else ChatGPT should know about you?
This could be anything you think is relevant for ChatGPT to keep in mind. This could be about your work style, personality and what you need to improve within your role.
Example: "I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy multitasking. I like solutions that save time and make processes smoother. I’m always looking for ways to be more efficient in my work, and I appreciate tips on staying organized and managing multiple priorities."
You should notice an immediate improvement in prompt responses.
🏆 A review of my all time favourite app 🏆
SnagIt!
SnagIt is a screenshot app on steriods! 💪
✅Great value for money
✅ Easy to use!
I’ve been using SnagIt for about 15 years now, colleagues once said I must have shared in the Techsmith company as I used to rave about it all the time! 🗣️💜
SnagIt is a hundred times better than the built in Windows or Mac screenshot apps. It’s worth every single dollar of the current annual price AUD$66 and is really easy to use.
Here’s a list of just some of the things you can do in SnagIt:
Screenshots: Take screenshots of your full screen, a specific region, a single window, or a fixed image size, or even a scrolling web page or spreadsheet.
Highlight text: Not with a squiggly hand drawn line but a nice and neat rectangle.
Create Step-by-step guides: Automatically capture screenshots as you click through a process.
Time Delay: Set a time delay to give yourself time to say open a menu before the image is captured.
Animated GIF Creation: Effortlessly transform your video recordings into animated GIFs. I regularly use 5 second GIFS made in SnagIt in this newsletter that continuously loop so you don’t have to press play again.
Screen Recording: Record your computer screen to create quick demos, tutorials, or walk-throughs, then easily trim any part of the video.
Record Webcam: While you’re recording the screen, show a smaller image of you talking through the recording.
Add to your images: Arrows, Shapes, and Lines, Callouts/Text Boxes, Step Tool (Numbered markers for processes) and Stamps (Pre-made icons like approval marks or emojis).
Hide Information: Use the Blur, Pixelate, or Crop tools to remove or obscure sensitive or distracting areas.
Templates: Use pre-made templates to create polished visual guides, timelines, and reference documents from your captures.
Image Effects: Apply effects like borders, torn edges, perspective, or color adjustments.
In the image below I have used 10 features of Snagit:
Screenshot from a webpage
Added a pink border
Gave 2 sides of the image a rough edge
Pixelated the first word
Highlighted Farms - no crooked or squiggly highlight here!
Blurred the last word in the text
Add a paperclip - there’s lots of icons you can add
Added an arrow - they come in a variety of formats
Highlighted the word MADE and magnified it
Added a green speech bubble with text
Screenshot from Beauty and the Bees website
Below are a before and after images where I’ve used the cut out feature. I use it a lot when creating app instructions. It’s great for images that have lots of useless blank space. It’s up to you how noticeable the gap is, including invisible.
The cut out feature has different cut out patterns besides this one.
If you like what you see
When you click on the link above, scroll down to the Snagit options. I use the $66 version and it sufficient for every day use.
TUESDAY VIBES
Non-productive but 100% boss-approved (maybe)
🪴🪴Best plants for the office 🪴🪴
Here’s a link with 13 plants that are best suited indoors.
pick a bright spot with indirect light
Turn your pots around so all sides receive light
Fresh air is always good if that’s possible
Water regularly and make sure the pots have drainage holes
Keep the leaves clean by wiping them with a damp cloth - dust blocks light.
Fertilize with an indoor plan fertilizer.
Cut off dead or dying leaves and stems to encourage fresh growth. The plant will also look much better.
Don’t be scared to take a shitty looking plant home, and cut it off near the base so the plant can regrow from scratch again.
🤔 Would you… or could you…?
Could you please pay your invoice as soon as possible? Could you send me an update on the report please? Could you tell me what time the meeting is?
Instead, use “Would you ……”. Which means you’re asking if they will do something for you - take action. It’s a soft demand or request that you want carried out, and it has more weight than saying “Could you”.
Before you go…
🤣 🤷🏽♂️🤦🏽♀️ This weeks forehead slap!
When I arrived at the airport in Vietnam the driver was putting our bags in the boot so I went to the front left door to get in. It was only then that I realised they drive on the “wrong side of the road”, same as the U.S, so the front passenger sits on the right side of the vehicle.
🐝🛒 Beauty and the Bees
Beauty and the Bees is an Australian online store that uses Tasmanian honey in it’s products. I’ve used their shampoo and conditioner bars (like soap bars) for years. They’re amazing products and my hairdresser says I have the healthiest hair of all her clients!
💻 Want to share a thought or tip?
Or do you have a great idea that all admins can relate to for an upcoming Printer Jam comic strip? Email me at [email protected].
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Until next week, be good, smile and be grateful for your family and friends.
Terry-Anne
Founder & Editor, Qwerty Plus Newsletter
FYI some of the links in my newsletters are affiliate links, so thanks to you I may earn a small commission.