Have you ever thought about becoming a digital nomad? Hmmm, digital nomads, you say, how annoying are those people? Surely they’ve all got a secret stash of cash somewhere? If you find yourself reading digital nomad blogs, wishing it was you travelling the world, doing what you love instead of revisiting occupational groundhog day, this is for you. If working for yourself and travelling the world sounds like liberation from the rat race but feels like an impossible dream – you’re in the right place. If you’re wondering “What if I could live or work anywhere in the world?” on your commute, we’ve got you covered. We take a look at how to be a digital nomad, what being location independent really means and how you can take the first tentative steps to your fledgling nomadic dreams.
The Benefits of Unplugging
Unplug? If the mere suggestion of being tech free fills you with horror this blog is for you. A rather conservative piece of research from Microsoft suggests we check our emails on average 274 times a day and that doesn’t include those social media notifications that are constantly distracting you. We take a look at the benefits of unplugging from technology and entering a digital diet.
Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: What’s the difference?
Deep learning, artificial intelligence and machine learning, what’s the difference? All three terms are increasingly used in business, sometimes (albeit incorrectly) interchangeably. Business, technology and the effective use of data are big news with an explosion of interest in all things AI over the past few years. So how can you cover the basics and have an intelligent conversation about it? We give you the skinny.
[Read more…]
Screaming On The Inside? The Impact Of Emotional Labour
However much you love what you do, if your job involves working with people, you’ll understand the concept of emotional labour. Perhaps you’re a figurehead and it’s important to build rapport and maintain your cool even in difficult circumstances that would send the rest of us running? Maybe your role involves managing other people’s emotions and it’s not always pretty? Or if you’re the first point of contact for a business, it’s possible you’ll be on the receiving end of frustration, disappointment and rancour.
Are you able to answer ‘Yes’ to the following questions;
The Right to Disconnect
AI? Technology? We love it! But, on 1st January French law introduced the ‘right to disconnect’ for employees. A result of negotiations by French union SYNTEC in 2014 the new law means that French companies must negotiate with staff regarding the use of devices outside of working hours.
Open all hours
The Act aims to address the impact of technology, of being constantly connected (and available) on the agenda for HR and L and D professionals. We know from an ever expanding body of research that being connected 24 hours a day has an enormously negative impact on wellbeing. And yet we still do it.
If you are able to answer ‘Yes’ to the following questions you’re probably working in a culture that would benefit from disconnecting;
Boosting creativity & innovation with mindfulness
Unleashing the creativity genie
The elusive muse. Creativity. How to unlock it, nurture it and keep it generating innovative ideas time after time. It’s the holy grail of the creative process. Mindfulness may be the answer to developing and sustaining your inner creative genius. Let’s take a look at how to apply it. [Read more…]
What’s Your Moonshot?
Are You Shooting For The Moon?
Maybe you’ve thought about your core values, your mission statement or your vision but what about your moonshot? Yes, your moonshot. Mission, values and vision can often sit on a shelf gathering dust with barely anyone other than the people who came up with them knowing what they are. A moonshot is different.
Originating from the Apollo and Soviet lunar programmes aiming to land humans on the moon, the term is now common business parlance. A moonshot is a long term business goal, an audacious ambition or innovative project. Google subsidiary, X, the company’s research lab refer to their most ambitious projects as moonshots. Led by Astro Teller, or “Captain of Moonshots” X works firmly in the future rather than the present. Think AI, Google Brain, the driverless car, Project Loon or Project Calico researching life extension. Like Google X the moonshot is firmly focused on the future, the art of possibility, of what could be rather than what is. A moonshot is something to aim for. It inspires your organisation at every level.
Moonshots are bold. They look beyond strategy towards the future. They are extraordinary projects or proposals that fulfil the following criteria;
- It addresses a problem, a big one
- It proposes a radical solution
- It utilises innovative thinking & technology
Teller takes the moonshot one step further by;
- Addressing the hardest part of the project first. This is a kind of natural selection, culling unsuitable projects in this phase. Teller describes this as identifying the Achilles heel early on rather than wasting time and money only to discover it later.
- Rewarding failure. We know from the work of Carol Dweck that learning by failure is the way to go. When a project is killed off in the culling phase, staff are rewarded. Failure is celebrated rather than brushed under the carpet.
Moonshots are game changers. They design the future rather than simply following the herd. So if you’re a business, start up or tech company looking to innovate, forget business as usual and follow our 6 step plan.
- Identify the problem – think huge ideas rather than bitesized.
- Along with your big idea there needs to be the potential to overcome the problem (this part is mission impossible rather than mission tricky)
- Form a team of committed, motivated, collaborative experts.
- Work out what the most difficult aspect of the project is and set to work.
- Foster a growth mindset. Learn from and celebrate failure.
- Get buy in to the project at every level of your business.
- Get to work and reach for the stars.
Want to find out more about innovation, moonshots, growth mindset or anything else involved in reaching for the stars? Contact us at admin@planetpositivechange.com we’d love to hear from you. Check out our creativity and innovation training on our courses page to find out more.