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Christmas has come and gone and if you’re like me you probably have a few gift cards in your wallet with only a few dollars or even a few cents left on it. Did you know that you can take those leftover gift cards and give them to people in need? There is a website called, giftcardgiver.com that tells you how to do just that.

Here’s all you do:
Write how much is left on your card using a permanent marker.
Place the card in an envelope and send it to:

Gift Card Giver
PO Box 17920
Atlanta, GA 30316

100% of the money goes to helping people in need. So take some time to send in your leftover gift card today.

Over the past few weeks I have been training for a 5k race. Last night as I was running I had an idea, why not raise money for a charity while I’m at it. The organization that I’ve decided to run for is charity: water. Here’s why:

Every week, millions of women and their children walk more than 14 miles just to get water for their families. Most of this water is contaminated, but it’s the only water they have. They take the chance of catching diseases like bilharzia and schistosomiasis (parasites) - with every sip. There’s nothing they can do to change it.

So, here’s what I am going to do? 

My mission is to run a 5k and raise $500 for water. I want every step to matter. I’m asking for donations of $5 or more to help achieve my goal. 

Because of charity: water’s unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to water projects, and each donation is “proved” when projects are complete. I aim to raise $500 by the end of September. 

I hope you’ll join me in helping them now. Click here to learn more.

Here are five more tips on effective brainstorming. Be sure and check out Part 1 to get the first five.

1. Pick a number. Not only do you want to have the right people, but you want to have the right amount of people. To many people and no one can get a word in, to few people and you’re not able to create synergy. There is no magic number, but I find 4-6 people work best. Although you can start with as few as two.
2. Stay positive. Negativity kills creativity. If someone throws out an idea you consider to be “bad” then learn to respond in a positive way. Learn how to navigate around those ideas and keep rolling. Not every idea will be a keeper, but sometimes “bad” ideas inspire “good” ideas.
3. Don’t take it personal. If someone doesn’t like your idea or it doesn’t get used don’t take it personal. It’s okay to stand up for what you believe in, but ultimately the decision should be what is best for the organization. It’s important to keep in mind that the objective for the meeting is about finding the best solution.
4. Quantity of ideas will lead to quality of ideas. Don’t stay quiet because you think your idea isn’t the best. Ideas are a numbers game. The more ideas you get out there in the open the greater your chances one will stick. Don’t forget, sometimes “bad” ideas inspire “good” ones.
5. Assign tasks at the end of the meeting. Before the meeting ends it is important to  put legs to your ideas. Who’s going to make those calls or do the research? Not everyone will leave with an assignment, but someone should. Even if that someone is you. 

Posted by Jody Earley: Follow Jody on Twitter

I enjoy the creative process of collaborating with others to produce ideas and ways of solving problems. Here are five things that I have found helpful when it comes to brainstorming.

1. Research the topic before you begin. Come inspired. Arrive with a full brain and leave with an empty one. If you are facilitating this meeting then give the team a heads up so they can begin to cultivate ideas before the meeting even starts.
2. Have an agenda and stay on point. Make the most of the time you have and try to stay focused. Come prepared knowing what your going to discuss and in what order. Start with the most important items and go from there. Contrary to popular opinion, organization breeds creativity.
3. Have the right people in the room. Invite those most knowledgeable about the topic at hand. Although, you don’t want to just have intelligent people they also need to be able to articulate their ideas.
4. Have a facilitator. You need someone to direct the ship. The point of brainstorming is to provide solutions not just useless ideas. It’s easy to get off course that’s why you need someone holding the map.
5. Assign someone to take notes. You don’t want to forget those amazing ideas. It’s best to use someone that doesn’t have to worry about contributing as much to the meeting and avoid using your stronger players.

Posted by Jody Earley: Follow Jody on Twitter

This was originally posted on Sep 19th, 2009.

Posted by Jody Earley: Follow Jody on Twitter

Inspiration is defined as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative. In other words inspiration is the fuel for creativity.

 If you feel you lack creativity or creative ideas then all you need is a little inspiration. There is nothing new under the sun. Every idea is inspired from another idea, you have to find your inspiration. So what inspires you? It may be a book, spending time in solitude, music, or people watching. Like begets like, so if you are wanting to write a good book then read a good book or if you are wanting to paint a work of art then go to a local art gallery. Don’t feel like your idea has to be completely original. Your idea just has to be yours. Be inspired and then add your finger print. Learn from those that have come before you and stand on their shoulders. Inspiration fuels creativity, so go get inspired.

This is repost from 9 months ago. To see the original post click here.

Christmas has come and gone and if you are anything like me you probably requested the worlds best gift… the gift card. Ahh, the joy of picking out your own gift. No more ugly sweaters or small kitchen appliances that you’ll never use.

The only down side to gift cards is when you are stuck with a couple of bucks that you can’t spend. Well, I have good news. There is an organization called Gift Card Giver that takes the extra money you have left, even if it’s just a few cents, and uses to help those in need. I recently heard about it and decided to dig through my wallet and found two gift cards just sitting there totaling less then $5. I thought it was a clever way to help others and wanted to pass it along.

You can check out their site here. (By the way most gift cards start deducting money after a while anyway.) You can also check out a simple stop motion video on Gift Card Giver here.

Mark Driscoll, the Preaching Pastor at Mars Hill Church had an informative post entitled “How an Idea Becomes Reality”.

In his post he shares a process that he has used for over a decade and considers to be “invaluable”. He explains each phase of the process in detail in his post, but I have paraphrased each phase below.

1. Vision - An idea emerges that seems worthwhile.
2. Plan - The idea and its goals are clarified in a detailed written proposal.
3. Implement - The plan needs to be executed to make the idea a reality.
4. Manage - Ensure the implemented plan continues to move forward.
5. Review - During designated times ensure that accurate and meaningful reviews are conducted.

Be sure and read the entire post here for a complete explanation of each phase.

1. Go people watching.
2. Read an interesting book.
3. Watch some videos by creative people on Vimeo.
4. Find some good blogs and subscribe to them.
5. Read the Bible.
6. Have an intelligent conversation.
7. Enjoy some time outdoors.
8. Find leaders and thinkers and follow them on twitter.
9. Play with your kids.
10. Learn something new.
11. Spend time with interesting people.
12. Daydream.
13. Go somewhere you’ve never been before.
14. Take a walk with someone you love.
15. Surf the web.
16. Read some poetry.
17. Attend a concert.

Inspiration is defined as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative. In other words inspiration is the fuel for creativity.

If you feel you lack creativity or creative ideas then all you need is a little inspiration. There is nothing new under the sun. Every idea is inspired from another idea, you have to find your inspiration. So what inspires you? It may be a book, spending time in solitude, music, or people watching. Like begets like, so if you are wanting to write a good book then read a good book or if you are wanting to paint a work of art then go to a local art gallery. Don’t feel like your idea has to be completely original. Your idea just has to be yours. Be inspired and then add your finger print. Learn from those that have come before you and stand on their shoulders. Inspiration fuels creativity, so go get inspired.

Check back in a few days and I’ll share some things that inspire me.

Here are five more tips on effective brainstorming. If you haven’t done so already be sure and check out yesterday’s post to get the first five.

1. Pick a number. Not only do you want to have the right people, but you want to have the right amount of people. To many people and no one can get a word in, to few people and you’re not able to create synergy. There is no magic number, but I find 4-6 people work best. Although you can start with as few as two.
2. Stay positive. Negativity kills creativity. If someone throws out an idea you consider to be “bad” then learn to respond in a positive way. Learn how to navigate around those ideas and keep rolling. Not every idea will be a keeper, but sometimes “bad” ideas inspire “good” ideas.
3. Don’t take it personal. If someone doesn’t like your idea or it doesn’t get used don’t take it personal. It’s okay to stand up for what you believe in, but ultimately the decision should be what is best for the organization. It’s important to keep in mind that the objective for the meeting is about finding the best solution.
4. Quantity of ideas will lead to quality of ideas. Don’t stay quiet because you think your idea isn’t the best. Ideas are a numbers game. The more ideas you get out there in the open the greater your chances one will stick. Don’t forget, sometimes “bad” ideas inspire “good” ones.
5. Assign tasks at the end of the meeting. Before the meeting ends it is important to  put legs to your ideas. Who’s going to make those calls or do the research? Not everyone will leave with an assignment, but someone should. Even if that someone is you.

If you have enjoyed this post be sure and check back soon. I’ll be talking a lot more about creativity, leadership and other related topics.

I enjoy the creative process of collaborating with others to produce ideas and ways of solving problems. Here are five things that I have found helpful when it comes to brainstorming.

1. Research the topic before you begin. Come inspired. Arrive with a full brain and leave with an empty one. If you are facilitating this meeting then give the team a heads up so they can begin to cultivate ideas before the meeting even starts.
2. Have an agenda and stay on point. Make the most of the time you have and try to stay focused. Come prepared knowing what your going to discuss and in what order. Start with the most important items and go from there. Contrary to popular opinion, organization breeds creativity.
3. Have the right people in the room. Invite those most knowledgeable about the topic at hand. Although, you don’t want to just have intelligent people they also need to be able to articulate their ideas.
4. Have a facilitator. You need someone to direct the ship. The point of brainstorming is to provide solutions not just useless ideas. It’s easy to get off course that’s why you need someone holding the map.
5. Assign someone to take notes. You don’t want to forget those amazing ideas. It’s best to use someone that doesn’t have to worry about contributing as much to the meeting and avoid using your stronger players.

Check out five more, but in the meantime I would love to hear your take. What are some things that have worked for you?