Stop Doing Dumb Things is a deck of cards containing 48 thoughts and ideas designed to help you unlock creativity and make work better. To make it work you simply shuffle the deck, draw a card, then act on it or ignore it.
A set of cards costs just £25 plus £5 P&P, a total of £30.
Stop Doing Dumb Things is designed by Doug Shaw and inspired by many people, including Joe Gerstandt, Carole Shaw, Meg Peppin, Joe Strummer, Heather Bussing, David Zinger, Keira Shaw, William Tincup and John Sumser.
To order your cards, Use this PayPal link or email me at doug.shaw@wgalimited.com with your order and I’ll send you an electronic invoice. In both cases, don’t forget to include a postal address. Cards will be shipped on receipt of cleared funds, and I’ll also email you a free pdf user/prompt guide.
How Are People Using Stop Doing Dumb Things?
Stop Doing Dumb Things was first designed as an antidote for people who get stuck in their work. Whether it’s writing a research paper, a sales proposal, an HR guide or a presentation – people often need a nudge when their thinking starts to go round in circles. And because of the way many of us work – getting stuck happens often. This also happens when we’re working in teams. For example, team meetings often fail to yield the desired results because people form and follow patterns that, as they repeat and reinforce, tend to exclude more creative, diverse thinking. In those environments – the cards are designed to break the circle by offering an alternative viewpoint, or a suggested action to take.
Since they began in 2012, Stop Doing Dumb Things have sold all over the world, to individuals and teams in the UK, Europe, USA, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. These are some of the many things people say they use the cards for:
Coaching
Getting unstuck
Trying something different
Adaptability
Exchanging ideas
Why not? (The intention is to make acting on the cards a voluntary process. So when people draw a card and don’t wish to act on it – what’s stopping them? This discussion yields interesting results about the way people work together).
People also use them a lot to support exploratory work around creativity and collaboration. The cards are a great aid to problem solving, getting to know one another better, changing perspectives – all kinds of things that people need, and often forget.
Stop Doing Dumb Things are a simple, helpful tool to help make change happen, and to underpin the idea that small things can make a big difference.
What a fabulous idea. I use picture cards for team and individual coaching. I would love to be leading the roll out of this innovative idea.
Happy to play!
Thanks Ian – I’ve dropped you an email with more info on how to play. I appreciate your support – launching stuff is fun!
Doug
Sounds like a great idea, Doug – count me in!
Consider yourself counted in indeed! Thanks so much Muzzy – I’ve sent you an email with more info on how to play. Look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers – Doug
Count me in too. Great idea Doug. Wish I’d thought of it myself….
Hello Neil – an email is winging its way to you right now with info about how to play. Thanks for your support – I really appreciate it!
If it helps Doug, Ideo charge £30 but they are the Rolls Royce solution…
http://www.ideo.com/by-ideo/method-cards
..and their free App gives you 8 free cards with the option to upgrade to full 51 for £5.
I’m in. Today I’m feeling rotten with an ongoing headcold, so I’m looking forward to being told what to do. May just keep em for myself.
Hi folks
Just a quick note to say that everyone who has paid, you should have your cards by now…or in the very near future. I hope they make it to you in good nick. Once you have had a chance to play with them – do let me know what you think. Good, bad and indifferent it all helps.
Cheers – Doug
Just by way of a quick update – so far the cards have shipped to three countries, the UK, USA and Canada, and the early feedback is really positive. Thanks.