To celebrate the brain the National Stroke Foundation is encouraging everyone to share their 'light bulb' moment - their Stroke of Genius.
These bright ideas might not be ground-breaking or have the potential to change the world, but recognise the creative ability of the brain.
We hope you enjoy the bright ideas shared in this blog!
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Stroke of Genius
Blogging Innovation » What do we do when the well runs dry?
by Glen Stansberry
Creating stuff on a set schedule is incredibly difficult. I’m writing this on the way back from a family reunion in Canada, and I had figured that I would have some sort of explosion of ideas and inspiration. But instead of sitting here staring blankly at a screen. As refreshing and beautiful as the trip was, I got nothin’ in terms of writing inspiration.
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There are going to be days when our wells of creativity are going to reach low points. We’ll send a bucket down there, only to pull up an empty pail.
So what do we do when our wells run dry? We plow ahead.
We can’t just sit and wait for inspiration, we have to go and find it. Here are a few methods that I’ve found that can work wonders when it comes to sparking a bit of inspiration and stoking our creative fires.
Define the End
Oftentimes we just sit down without a defined ending in mind. The problem with this method is that it can be overwhelming. Not knowing boundaries can set an expectation that you only have to create when it feels good. Having the end goal in mind before you start can help with visualizing what’s needed in between.
Make a Stash
There’s no better feeling than having a reserve of a few posts to be able to draw from when inspiration is lacking. Creating a backup plan for when the inspiration won’t flow can be a lifesaver.
I have a stash of unpublished posts for “rainy days” when nothing seems to be working. I don’t know how many times that little cache has saved my bacon over the years. But even more interesting is how knowing I don’t always need to be creative takes a bit of the pressure off, which allows me to be more creative.
Admire Previous Successes
There’s nothing wrong with looking back through your accomplishments. Taking a walk through your greatest hits might be just the motivator needed for getting out of the doldrums. Slumps happen. The simple act of seeing how far you’ve come might be enough to trigger an idea or provide some form of inspiration.
Try Something New
Sometimes changing a tiny thing can make all the difference. What’s worked best for me is only changing one or two things at a time, but keeping the majority of the routine the same. Work locations, switching from coffee to tea, or some other deviation from the ordinary can work wonders.
The important thing is to just keep plugging away. Eventually the lightbulb will go off, the Muse will return, and all that. Until then, the real battle is to keep at it. To stay seated until you’ve hit your word count, or until you’ve designed the section you need.
There will be days when the well is dry. It’s not whether you can find creativity; it’s how you’ve prepared for it.
Photo by Rajesh Vijayarajan Photography
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Glen Stansberry writes at LifeDev, a blog that helps people make their ideas happen. You can follow him on Twitter here.
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Here is some blogging inspiration for ideas!
Web Ink Now: Offering unique experiences generate attention for nonprofits
I recently joined digital media advisory board of HeadCount, a nonprofit that registers voters at concerts and makes civic participation part of the live music experience.
Artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson, The Dead, Phish, John Mayer and Wilco have helped the organization register over 160,000 voters.
One way that HeadCount generates attention is through exclusive experiences where fans can meet artists in person.
My friend Rich Jurek points us to another interesting experience offered by a nonprofit.
The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago is running a Month at the Museum contest.
They want someone who is web-savvy to experience the historic 14-acre building, by living in it full-time and reporting findings to the outside world.
At the time of this post a few days before the contest closes, the Twitter hashtag #MATM is active. And a quick Google search shows that the media and bloggers are talking it up.
Many nonprofits have the ability to create contests like these to get noticed. If you’re associated with a nonprofit, maybe you can figure out an interesting experience too.
Month at the Museum applications are due August 11. The winner gets a prize of $10,000, a package of tech gadgets, and an honorary lifetime membership to MSI.
Here's the room the winner will stay in.
This is a great example of a NFP doing cool stuff with social media to create a valuable experience for the network.
5 Real Ways to Boost Creativity (Everything You Know About Being Creative is Wrong)
No doubt, you’ve taken some creativity training — either back in college or on the job. You know all about Creativity Circles, brainstorming sessions, and crowdsourcing innovation through suggestion boxes. And you know what? It’s pretty much all hogwash.
According to Newsweek, brainstorming sessions were discredited as far back as 1958, when it was found that the technique measurably reduces the creative output of a group compared to what they’d accomplish separately. (I did not know that.)
So what techniques really work? Here are a few:
Exercise. As little as 30 minutes of exercise improves “almost every dimension of cognition” for at least 2 hours. It only works on people who are already physically fit, though. For out-of-shape folks, the fatigue outweighs the benefits.
Switch projects. Multi-tasking might be counter-productive, but stopping one project to work on another at regular intervals has shown to help you solve difficult problems within those separate projects more quickly.
Watch less TV. One study shows that for every hour of television, kids spend 11% less time in creative activities. Three hours of TV adds up to a one-third drop in creativity.
Follow your passion. In a sense, this is common sense. Studies show you’ll do your best at things you are most passionate about. Where this runs afoul of common wisdom, though, is that it suggests you don’t need to be “well rounded” — and in fact, that corporate dictum to do a little of everything for career advancement might actually hurt your ability to work creatively.
Ditch the suggestion box. According to Newsweek, “Formalized suggestion protocols, whether a box on the wall, an e-mailed form, or an internal Web site, actually stifle innovation because employees feel that their ideas go into a black hole of bureaucracy.” The remedy: empower employees to put their ideas into practice without a lot of red tape.
Photo by laffy4k
Source: BNET
Guest Post from Melanie Pay at Guide Dogs Victoria: Flowers of the Left Brain #sogenius
Since 1979, Guide Dogs Victoria has run a specialised service for people who have vision loss as a result of an acquired brain injury (ABI). Unlike those who have received trauma to their eyes, people with an ABI have vision loss resulting from their brain sending the wrong signals. Guide Dogs Victoria staff teach people with an ABI how to optimise use of any remaining vision and how to utilise other senses and cognitive skills to regain their independence. When I was asked to write a blog post for Stroke of Genius, I couldn’t think of a more fitting client than Meindert Withoff. His story really embodies the creative ability of the brain and the fascinating way in which it works. Meindert was a successful mechanical design engineer before suffering a severe stroke in 2008. As a result of the stroke, he lost 75% of his vision and was left paralysed on the left side of his body. The damage to the right side of his brain completely changed his perspective on life, taking him from someone who was always very practical and analytical to someone who could suddenly think very creativity. Following the stroke, Meindert took up painting as part of his rehabilitation therapy, helping him to express himself and embrace his new found love for creative activities. “When I first started painting I would only paint on the right hand side of the paper and I would think I was finished” says Meindert. After much hard work and practice, that is no longer the case. In 2009, a painting entitled ‘Flowers of the Left Brain’ was selected for display at the State Trustees’ Connected09 exhibition, which showcases the artworks of Victorians with a disability. This year, a new painting entitled ‘Feathers of Hope’ has been shortlisted as a finalist for Connect10 and will be exhibited at Melbourne Central from August 13 - 26. “I find painting a very positive experience, because despite the things that have gone wrong in my life, I can still give something meaningful back to society. Painting has helped me gain back a sense of control and accomplishment” Meindert explains. A husband and father of three, Meindert has also involved his family in his painting. “My children are really proud of me again now. “I can teach them something new. We often sit around and learn how to paint together.” The family also applied for a Pets as Therapy dog from Guide Dogs Victoria, recently welcoming Opal into their lives. “Opal has brought us all such joy, she has really turned our lives around. We just love her and everyone is so impressed at how well behaved she is” says Meindert’s wife, Jozica. I love the photo this photo of Opal and the kids. Nothing brings a smile to my face like a bit of puppy love! I wish someone could bottle that feeling – that would be genius! To learn more about Guide Dogs Victoria, our free ABI services or Pets as Therapy program, please visit our web site at www.guidedogsvictoria.com.au
Meet the panel of Genius Judges for #sogenius
Thank you to our Genius Judges who were responsible for their selection of the 'Judge's Choice Award' winner.
Sir Gustav Nossal
Sir Gustav Nossal is an Australian research biologist whose research accomplishments are world-renowned. He was born in Bad Ischl, Austria in 1931 and came to Australia with his family in 1939.
Sir Gus was knighted in 1977 and made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989. Amongst his numerous honours are fellowship of the Royal Society of London; Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences; Member of the Academie des Sciences, France; the Robert Koch Gold Medal, the Albert Einstein World Award of Science, and Australian of the Year.
As researcher and as Director of The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI, 1965-96) he helped build the foundations of modern immunology while working to improve global health through his long-term involvement with the World Health Organization (WHO), most recently as Chairman of the Global Programme for Vaccines and Immunization.
Sir Gus has exerted strong influence on government policy especially in his years as President of the Australian Academy of Science. He has also been involved in national organisations of social significance, including his role as deputy chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
Julian Burnside AO QC
Julian Burnside AO QC is an Australian barrister, human rights advocate and author.
The Australian Peace Prize recipient has provided legal counsel on many high-profile cases, and acted in several major cases on behalf of indigenous Australians.
Julian Burnside QC was made an Officer of the Order of Australian in 2009 "for service as a human rights advocate, particularly for refugees and asylum seekers, to the arts as a patron and fundraiser, and to the law."
“I like ideas, and I like hearing ideas which are not constrained by what we already know, and what we are accustomed to doing.” – Julian Burnside QC commenting on Stroke of Genius.
Dr Erin Lalor- CEO National Stroke Foundation In her role as CEO, Dr Lalor advocates for stroke at a state and federal level as well as internationally as a Director of the World Stroke Organisation. She is the current chair of the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance and represents stroke on the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance.
Dr Lalor has a unique perspective and insight into stroke at all stages of recovery having worked as a speech pathologist in Western Australia. She went on to undertake research into stroke services and language impairment after stroke.
Dr Lalor completed her PhD in cognitive neuropsychology in 1997. Her background in research has enabled the organisation to take a leading role in developing stroke policy.
Before being appointed as CEO in 2002, Dr Lalor was head of the National Stroke Foundation office in Western Australia where she was a key player in the development of a stroke strategy for WA and the implementation of a plan for stroke services.
In the seven years Dr Lalor has been CEO, the organisation has increased significantly in size, revenue and profile. These achievements were recognised when Dr Lalor was nominated as a finalist in the Victorian Telstra Business Woman of the year Award in the community and government category in 2007.
Dr Lalor drives the Foundation’s dedication to increasing community awareness, improving access to treatment and services, supporting stroke survivors and identifying and addressing gaps in stroke research.
Stroke of Genius: a social media driven campaign (by Sarah Lamanna, @TheMediaPod) #sogenius
Sarah Lamanna: TheMediaPod, Deakin University
Shoes with retractable heals, a microwave that heats as well as cools and trolley blinkers.
Genius, right?
These bright ideas stem from The National Stroke Foundation’s (NSF) latest campaign, ‘ Stroke of Genius.’
Stroke of Genius celebrates the creativity of the brain, challenging participants to think outside the square and come up with their own everyday ‘stokes of genius.’
Participants then submit their idea for voting. Not only does this mean that they go into the running for a trip to Thailand, but it also means that funds are raised for the organisation as people donate when they vote.
The NSF’s campaign integrates online and offline campaign activity in order to achieve its goal of raising funds and awareness about Australia’s second single greatest killer and leading cause of disability –stroke.
Launched in July, the NSF followed in the footsteps of The Breast Cancer Foundation and harnessed social networking websites, FaceBook and Twitter to push their campaign out into the growing world of social networkers.
With the current trend in the number of people ‘going online,’ social media has become a tool for educating and informing members of an organisation’s target audience about their cause.
The organisation’s Facebook, Twitter, Blog and Competition website act as small communities were people affected by stroke can come together and share their stories. It is also a place where the community can find out information about stroke from the organisation and, in turn, educate those around them.
Since the campaigns started the Stroke of Genius Twitter Page has increased from 16 to 308 ‘Followers,’ their Facebook page currently holds 143 ‘Likes’ and their blog (established July 5) now has a total of 69 posts and 522 site views.
Status updates and tweets point followers towards the Stroke of Genius website; social media has allowed the NSF to run a successful and interactive campaign with over 500 Stroke of Genius entries submitted.
With a predicted number of 60,000 new and recurrent strokes to occur in 2010 alone, that is one stroke every 10 minutes, there is no doubt about it - the NSF’s latest campaign to educate Australians about stroke is their own stroke of genius.
Thank you Sarah for reviewing our campaign. We appreciate your support for our launch of Stroke of Genius and hope you will keep on celebrating the creativity and wonderment of the brain.
- The Genius Team
Meet the #sogenius WINNERS! Hugh Lockie (VIC), Kate Fraser (NSW) & Celeb winner @MarkBeretta
POPULAR CHOICE WINNER: "Doggy Doo Detector" - Hugh Lockie, VIC.
SOG Idea 337: Doggy Doo Detector We have all been walking, jogging or in the park only to have the experienced tarnished by a squelch under foot and the ensuing stench which can only mean one thing…. doggy-doo. My Stroke of Genius is a portable pocket size ‘Doggy-doo Detector’ capable of detecting nearby hot spots through the latest in odour recognition technology and alerting the user before it is too late!
What sparked your idea? When I started brainstorming for my 'Stroke of Genius' I had noble intentions to do something around helping the environment and somehow ended up creating the 'doggy doo detector '...? I think it is a scar from an 'incident' past coming to the surface.
Where were you when you had the idea? On my couch.
In 10 words or less what does celebrating the brain mean to you? The brain knows no boundaries. Think, create, celebrate.
And one last thing: It was great to be a part of Stroke of Genius and support its worthwhile cause. I look forward to next year.
JUDGE'S CHOICE WINNER: "Swipe-and-Go L-Plate Log Book"- Kate Fraser, NSW.
SOG Idea 378: Swipe-and-Go L-Plate Log Book An electronic device attached to your car, that automatically records the time and odometer reading when an L-plater swipes their licence!! Records these details when the car is turned off, then automatically records the details when the car is started again! Just like if you were writing it down in the log book!! Continues to keep records until you turn it off!! No more forgetting to take down details, hunting for pens or writing down all those short stops around town! The only thing you would need to set is the weather!!!
What sparked your idea? Anyone who has filled in the L-Plate log book or supervised a learner driver understands the frustration of recording every two-minute stop. Going through a year of this myself, I knew there had to be a better solution.
Where were you when you had the idea? I was in the car, noting down the fifth-consecutive stop in half an hour into my log book when my stroke of genius hit me.
In 10 words or less what does celebrating the brain mean to you? Mentally challenging your brain every day.
And one last thing: I think the Stroke of Genius competition was a stroke of genius in itself, as it encouraged what I believe is a vitally important part of life – challenging your brain – and raised awareness of a serious global issue.
CELEBRITY STROKE OF GENIUS : Mark Beretta - "Revolving Door Power Mill"
SOG Idea 91: Revolving Door Power Mill Install a motor over the revolving doors in large city buildings which will power the lights in the door and possibly extend to the foyer lighting. As the door is used it will drive the power for the lighting.
WINNERS! Congratulations to the Geniuses and thank you everyone for your entries, votes and supporting #sogenius
Popular Choice winner: "Doggy Doo Detector" - Hugh Lockie VIC.Judge's Choice winner: "Swipe-and-Go L-Plate Log Book"- Kate Fraser, NSW.
Celebrity Stroke of Genius' : Mark Beretta- "Revolving Door Power Mill".
Thank you to everyone who entered, we received hundreds of great ideas and sparks of genius. And thank you to those who voted - we have achieved a great result and appreciate your support for the National Stroke Foundation.
The competition has now closed but we will continue celebrating the brain and creativity and hope you will keep on sharing your ideas. There will be more activity from the Genius Team so if you have any ideas please post them to our Facebook, Tweet us or comment on this blog.
We'll be posting a profile of the Genius winners tomorrow so watch this space! More #sogenius moments to follow...
http://www.strokeofgenius.com.au/
