Feature Article:
Free Your Mind: The Positive Aspect of Negative Space
Image Source: DALL•E 3 (created with custom AI Generative prompts)
by Bill Nottingham (4 min read)
Do you ever get the feeling that your to-do list is too long? It can get overwhelming, and prioritizing can be challenging, especially in a world of digital distractions. Author Daniel Pink has a philosophy, the Two Minute Rule, and he says, “If you have something that you can do in less than two minutes, don’t write it down and certainly don’t keep it in your head. Instead, do it right away. Because it extinguishes the small things in your head and frees up your brain to focus on the big things.”
But then how do we solve big and complex challenges? I’ve found that when you’ve hit a theoretical brick wall, just step away. Try going for a drive. Put on some great music or roll down the window in silence and take the scenic route. I’ve come up with the best solutions and even inventions while taking a drive. It’s my personal life hack. Whatever you do, find an activity that gives your mind a break.
Parking Lot
If you have ever been in a business brainstorming session, you’ve probably heard of the term Parking Lot. This refers to a separate whiteboard that is intended to be a placeholder for off-topic ideas that are important to keep in mind. I like to operate with the parking lot methodology daily in business and my personal life. With my phone, I have a series of digital notes and reminder lists for this very reason. Throughout the day, I will either hear someone say something interesting or ideas will reveal themselves to me. The best way to capture them is to write each one down immediately. You can even set a digital reminder to revisit later when you have more time.
Do Something Boring
Being bored can open your mind and set up that ah-ha moment, as explained by Manoush Zomorodi during her TED Talk, “How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas.” I personally find that when I’m doing a “boring” or essential task like the dishes, all of a sudden something will trigger in my mind to solve one of those nagging challenges. These days, we tend to have our phones close throughout the day, and it’s easy to be drawn into email or social media — the distractions are countless.
But, when you are doing a manual task, you can’t do anything else. This can give your mind a chance to relax. There was a study in the scientific journal PNAS that found increased alpha waves of brain activity from restful states can be directly connected to idea generation. The heterogeneity of our thought variation with unrelated tasks and freely moving thoughts is very strong for creative processes.
Timing Is Everything
Solving big issues or inventing new solutions cannot be simply produced or developed as you would order a product on Amazon, selecting overnight or two-day shipping. When you are trying to solve a challenging issue, allow yourself time to prepare, collaborate with others, and most of all, step away.
In the symphony of productivity, consider what Mozart said: “The pauses or spaces between the notes are just as crucial as the notes themselves.” As you navigate your to-do list and confront challenges, weave moments of productive procrastination into your routine, allowing your mind the space it needs to flourish
The article was originally published by Smart Business. Read original article here.
15 Business Tips for Keeping Up With Industry Changes in Tech
Technology is constantly evolving, with new innovations and advancements being introduced regularly. It’s essential for professionals in the tech industry to stay up to date with these changes to remain competitive and relevant.
However, keeping up with industry changes can be a daunting task, especially as the pace of technological development continues to accelerate. Below, a panel of 15 Fast Company Executive Board members shared some of the most effective ways to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in tech, so you can stay ahead of the game and continue to excel in your field.
Unlock New Workflows By Seeing Differently
Flexibility is important to be effective at our jobs in combination with our overall lifestyle. The work that we produce must be successful, but getting there needs to complement how we can effectively do the work. Fortunately, current technology with laptops and mobile devices has enabled us to have that freedom of location.
Launching A Podcast? Here Are 13 Factors For Leaders to Consider
BUILD ON ‘MICRO GOALS’ AND ONE-WIN STRATEGIES - Ultimately, success is a marathon and not a sprint. Develop “micro goals” that add up over time, and remember that any win is always a win. For example, when going to a networking event, I try to think about my one-win strategy: Meet one client or book at least one meeting. Anything above your one win is a bonus. This always helps me relax and focus on the quality of connections.
How Well Do You Handle Professional & Personal Rejections?
BUILD ON ‘MICRO GOALS’ AND ONE-WIN STRATEGIES - Ultimately, success is a marathon and not a sprint. Develop “micro goals” that add up over time, and remember that any win is always a win. For example, when going to a networking event, I try to think about my one-win strategy: Meet one client or book at least one meeting. Anything above your one win is a bonus. This always helps me relax and focus on the quality of connections.
Lessons From Design School That Can Be Applied To Business
During my early years as a design major at The Cleveland Institute of Art - College of Art and Design, my training helped me learn how to tackle the most difficult task—overcoming the fear of the “Blank Sheet of Paper.” To some, this blank sheet can be scary and represent potential failure. To others, it can represent opportunity and success. It all comes down to your perspective.
“Quad Goals” Met Through Microbial Energy – A Natural Battery
Our future is facing a crippling energy crisis and a global transition to clean energy is necessary for a sustainable road forward. The Inflation Reduction Act signed last summer, committing $370 billion dollars to the electricity sector, provides a great investment toward a target of 80% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035. However, a transition to even a partially guaranteed success in meeting energy needs will pose many challenges over the next decade. Non-obvious solutions will be needed to achieve this stretch goal.
13 Design Trends That Benefit Companies in Today’s Marketplace
Fast Company Executive Board (Featuring Bill Nottingham) Whether it’s utilizing a bold color statement in a rebranding campaign or coming up with an innovative human-centered design that serves current and prospective clients much better, there’s a lot for companies to be excited about and engaged in the upcoming years.
AI Getting Personal: Building Proteins from Scratch
Artificial Intelligence is about to get personal. By personal, this is not a reference to data analytics from objective measurements, such as predicting and deducting one’s feelings, offering insight, or proactively identifying your next action. This is a reference to the regulation of biochemical enzymatic activity and chemical reactions inside the human body’s cells. AI is getting personal by regulating cell functions inside the human body.