Thinking outside of the box can get you placesNo doubt you've
heard the term to "think outside the box". Perhaps you've wondered
what that meant in actual fact, or you know what it means but
you're so firmly "inside the box" that you don't even notice that
you're *in* the box. This article will attempt to show you some
ways to do to escape the box and do some creative new thinking.
!! Steps !!
_ Be prepared for a big change. To re-educate
yourself and the way you think is almost a "lifestyle" change.
Basically, you're re-inventing the wheel and you are the wheel.
Indications that it might be time to change your way of thinking
include:
* You're in a rut, you know you're in a rut, and no matter what you
try, you fall back into the rut.
* You can't come up with a solution to a nagging problem. Finally,
someone else does and the answer was an incredibly obvious one; it
happens a lot.
Learn the terms. If you're familiar with the
terms, you'll be in a great position to do some
research into out-of-the-box thinking. Some of
the terminology for modes of "thinking outside
of the box" are:
* Reframing
* Lateral thinking
* Process improvements.
Understand that, for a given problem, some
people tend to come up with the more
"creative" solutions. The inability to do so
does not reflect a person's intelligence.[1]
What it does indicate is that people with such
solutions are the ones who are more willing,
or need, to push themselves out of their
comfort zone to get the answers they seek. The
principal characteristics for those who think
outside of the box are usually:
* A willingness to take new perspectives toward day-to-day work.
* Capable of thinking differently with an open mind, think about the
substance of issues, and be receptive to doing things differently.
* Focused on the value of finding new ideas and acting on them.
* Ready to strive to create value in newer ways.
Capable of listening to, supporting, nurturing and respecting others
when they come up with new ideas.[1]
* The driving force behind a lot of people who consistently think
outside of the box is frustration_. They don't feel that "enough"
is being done, and that the "normal" way of thinking just isn't
getting it done.
Learn what inhibits your ability to change.[2]
The following characteristics lessen your
ability to make a positive change in your
thinking methods:
* Negative attitude.
* Fear of failure, perfectionism.
* Executive stress, or other stress.
* Following rules, hidebound to black and white thinking (not
flexible, unable to perceive the value in gray areas).
* Making assumptions – about others, about the world, about the
expectations you feel weighing on you, about your own abilities.
* Over-reliance on logic, along with assuming you have an accurate
grasp of what is logical.
It's not just a box...Challenge assumptions. Just because it has
always been that way, doesn't mean that it has to continue to be
that way. In fact, by expecting things to never change, you're
setting yourself up for a lot of pain and unhappiness when
things – and people – do change around you, without taking
you along. Ways to challenge assumptions include:
* Ask questions. Don't ignore your questions; give them free rein.
* Stop jumping to hasty conclusions. Haste makes waste and can leave
you in hot water. Reflect over things until the better answer
arrives.
* Look at something a different way, literally. Perhaps you've been
hammering out a new design for something at work. You've been
looking at this design for weeks, always in the same position. Try
shifting it. Turn the design upside down, or take it out into the
sunshine under the trees, or project it into the ceiling and have
all of your co-workers lie in the floor to observe it. You'll be
amazed at what a position change can do for assumptions and
perspective.
Stop pushing that rock uphillBreak free of dull routine. Doing
the same thing, day in and day out, will dull even the smartest
person's mind. Find ways of minimizing routine in your life,
while still embracing ritual – the two approaches are very
different in result. Ritual is about daily or regular activities
that center you, keep you well (such as exercise or yoga), and
give you a sense of place and identity. Routine is about the
things that cause you to fall into a rut, respond without
thinking, and that often feel imposed upon you from elsewhere.
* Change it up, occasionally. Do things differently. Instead of
photocopying all the documents first thing in the morning, email
them around to everyone and tell them the copier's broken. Next
morning, email everything again, telling everyone how well
yesterday went and that you've decided to do it like this from now
on.
* Change your appearance and clothes. Many a rut is given a swift
kick when you treat yourself to a new look. It's a start, and a
really fun one at that.
* Walk a different way to work, catch a bus instead of driving,
bring your lunch in instead of eating out (or vice versa), go home
early for a change.
Brainstorm. Brainstorming can do amazing things
to help you think outside-the-box. Here are
some suggestions to get you started:
* Think of vague keywords like "coffee" and follow whatever this
leads to next in your mind, and take it as far as you can go; this
can lead to interesting ideas. For example: "Coffee" -> "Milk" ->
"Spilled" -> "Unspillable milk and coffee container".
* Do brain teasers, puzzles, psychometric tests, etc., and challenge
your brain to new ways of doing and seeing things.
* If you hated math, English or science, try it again; this time
make yourself do it well. Force your mind to think down different
pathways.
* Learn a new language, a new way of keeping inventory, a new way to
be a great boss or lover.
* Write poems. Poems can spark your creative thinking.
* Visualize work or home solutions through drawing pictures rather
than writing things down.
Think laterally. It can be really beneficial to
learn about how people do it in other walks of
life. Whether you're a CEO, an engineer, a
stay-at-home mom, or a teacher, there are ways
of thinking laterally that can benefit what
you're doing.
* Read about processes and solutions in industries different from
the one you're working in. Chances are there are some amazing
answers for you to uncover and apply to your situation.
* The same goes for cross-disciplinary studies. Instead of staying
within your own expertise, branch out and investigate what other
disciplines are doing in areas or topics that interest you. There
may be some surprising connections worth uncovering and adapting.
* Sit down and talk with others who know nothing about what you're
doing but are willing listeners. Explain your situation and
challenges and ask for their thoughts on solutions.
* Email this Article
* Edit
* Discuss
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