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I Do My Best Research When I Should Be Asleep!

 

I have had a horrible cold the last few days (in case you were wondering it's not covid, I did the tests!) . A few days ago I was unable to sleep and I wrote the framework and mapped out the contents for an entire playbook in about an hour. 

Why am I so productive when I should be asleep?

Apparently, cognitive scientists have found out that there's a phenomenon called "pattern recognition." In happens in the mind only when it is in a very relaxed state. Our brains become relaxed enough to make new connections and allow new neural pathways to form. This is really helpful when we want to find creative solutions for problems we otherwise might not have thought of.

Another thing to realize is that as we enter sleep, our brain steadily unpacks the ideas and concepts we use to interpret the world which in turn leads to moments of experience without constraints by our usual filters.

Psychologists from UC San Diego found we are at our peak in creativity during REM sleep, when we dream.

This also explains why we come up with the most creative solutions or ideas in the shower, on a walk, lying in bed at night, or even sleeping. The brain is simply relaxed enough to let those connections take place. A University of California at Berkeley study found that sleep can foster "remote associates," or unusual connections, in the brain — which could lead to a major "a-ha" moment upon waking.

Now you know. If you have an idea in the middle of the night do take note of it (not on your phone, more about that another day!) but do write it down. 

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4 June 2021

Free Nelson Mandela by The Specials AKA

THIS YOU WANT TO READ!!!

I was referencing something for a part of the final autoethnographic piece for my thesis and I looked up the song Free Nelson Mandela by The Specials AKA.

WOW!!! You can find the full article here.

"Veteran DJ and broadcaster Paul Gambaccini said the song was effective in educating people about Mandela, whose reputation was low in the West at the time. "Now we have this sainted vision of Mandela, but at the time Thatcher treated him as a terrorist. So to release a record about someone whom your PM considers a terrorist is quite brave."
 
The song helped to change perceptions about Mandela, according to Gambaccini, a presenter on leading UK station BBC Radio 2. "It did educate people about apartheid an incredible amount, because they certainly weren't going to learn about Mandela from conventional sources. The word on him from on high was very bad, so it was up to musicians to take a leading role in rehabilitating his reputation.
 
"Free Nelson Mandela" was also an extremely effective protest song, he added, a view echoed in 2010 by left-leaning current affairs magazine New Statesman, which included it in a list of the top 20 political anthems of all time.
 
"'Free Nelson Mandela' was effective for two reasons," he said. "It's a good pop record in that it's catchy and sounds good. And you immediately know what it's about, because the first three words are 'Free Nelson Mandela.' And secondly it had a clear message that the audience agreed with."
 
And the fact that The Specials were at the time a "Top 10 band" meant the audience took note. "If the Specials say it, there must be something to it," as Gambaccini noted"

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3 June 2021

Toxic Positivity

As a positive psychologist I am a firm believer that we should create an environment where we focus on flourishing and thriving... but what happens when there is too much positivity? 

There is also fake positivity, you know when you are supposed to be grateful but you end up being grateful because you are being told to do it not because you want to.... and in reality you are not grateful at all... you are actually just a bit irritated. 

Or, all these statements on the right. OMG! Stop saying 'be happy' There will be days when I want to be sad and I will be sad... as long as it isn't every day, its ok, right? 

Take this as an invitation to decide how you want to strike a balance between you and your positivity. 

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2 June 2021

Let's Start A Band!

If I had a pound or dollar for everyone I have said 'we should write a paper together' to I'd be a billionaire 😂

Interesting people are everywhere, and I always want to continue conversations with them. But I wonder what would happen if I decide to have a deeper discussion when I meet someone I really connect with? 

Papers I still want to write: leaders as facilitators, the cost of belonging, and a million others! 

 I don't really want to start a music band, but if I was to start a writing, conversation, or thought band I'd want to include: my husband and kids, my practical theology colleagues at Glasgow University, faculty peers and coaches at Meyler Campbell, and international friends that I have met via social media. 

Who would you want to include in your band?

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1 June 2021

Prioritizing Mental Health

I champion Naomi Osaka for the decision she made today to leave the French Tennis Open. She said she'd pay the fine, they didn't like it, tried to bully her into staying, and she said no. 

This seems to be a typical challenge for many women (and women of colour in particular). In the future I suspect that the tennis authorities may regret what they have done. 

I just think its super awesome that Naomi has prioritised herself. Good for her. 

Thats a real role model. 

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31 May 2021