Consider the recent warm weather here in North America and its effect on people and things in general.  Then consider the truth of the cartoon below and how one can have two perspectives – positive or negative – on the question most have or will likely debate with our friends, family and colleagues, specifically, “is it hot enough for you?”.

There are some who will grumble with despair determining that remaining inside with air conditioning is the only way to go.  Hardier soles revelling in the heat remain indifferent and sit outside soaking up the sun, with chilled water bottles in hand.

Then there is another group who suggests that the warm weather now offsets the cold weather experienced anytime between January to March.  They recognize that since we can’t change the weather we need to concentrate on a more positive “thinking outside the box” perspective.

“Thinking outside the box” is an independent activity that should be practiced regularly.  Here are two activities to get you started:

1.   How do you cut a cake into eight slices when you have to make no more than three cuts?

Most people will have trouble coming up with a way to cut the cake.  But to solve this, you have to change the way you look at the cake and how to cut it.  One perfect solution is to cut the cake into two equal sizes and put the other half on top of the other.  Cut it again in half then stack the other half pieces on top of one another and cut them again.  It may not be the blue-ribbon way to serve your guests, but it is “thinking outside the box”.

2.    Here are four words:  “subtract”; “multiply”; “add”; “decrease”.  Now which one does not belong to the group?

Generally the majority of people would say that the word “decrease” does not belong.  Why?  Because all the other three words are mathematical jargons and the latter is not.  But that would not be “thinking outside of the box”.  If one did “think outside of the box”, the answer would be the word “add” since it only has three letters while all the other words have eight letters.  A person could give a lot of right answers but the answer that shows more creativity stands out.

The prevailing component in how our minds work is inserting some changes from past experiences and processes.  Think about your response to “what are two days that starts with the letter “T”?”.  Your answer would probably be Tuesday and Thursday.  Why not Tomorrow and Today?  That is out of the box thinking.  Companies testing a new product want to be sure they are getting a design at a reasonable cost.  They look at things in the business and think that objectives will work just as planned.  But such things sound monotonous already, for they only think using the past as patterns.  Patterns are helpful since they help finish tasks such as driving, eating or drinking.  However, these are the same patterns that make it hard for people to think out of the box and create alternative solutions to a dilemma especially when challenged with unwanted or previously unseen data.

One important move to break the pattern is trying to reverse patterns, designs or solutions and arouse new interest.  Take things as they are and turn them inside out, upside down, or simply turn them around and you’ll be surprised with the result.  This was Henry Ford’s personal experience.  The conventional plan was to just “bring people to work.”  Henry Ford tried to change all this into: “bring work to the people.”  Henry Ford’s plan generated more revenues.

Another way to bring out other solutions to simple problems and situations is to not think about the subject.  If you want to bring about something more creative, think not of the part of the problem itself, rather, think of people or subjects in motion and then use the abstract formation or design as a stimulus for a new design.

To truly “think outside the box” one should never shy away from the fact that some ideas could really be “out there”.  This breaks rigidity of thinking and presents a way to sift out the harebrained and irrational.  It gives the thinker more freedom to think outside of the box and reinvent things in ways they have never been arranged before.  As an example one could list several odd or absurd ideas about a certain problem.  Letting go of the question will release the stress the thinker is undergoing by trying to “squeeze” the creativity.  Once let go, the thinker is unrestrained to find a solution and the solution will present itself when one least expects it. 

In everyday activities, you could practice “thinking outside the box” with innocent shenanigans without hurting anyone by saying or doing the unexpected.  [NOTE:  This needs to be done with caution by making sure that you do this first to persons you already know to avoid conflicts and negative confrontations.]  As an example, when a friend asks for the time one would automatically look at a watch or clock as a normal result of the stimulus-response theory.  In thinking outside the box, why not say something unexpected like, “Oh it’s time to watch our cycle counts,” then head toward the door.  Watch their reaction as they go into total confusion and trance as you have completely mixed things up in their heads and interrupted their thinking pattern.  [Don’t forget to apologize afterwards!]

“Thinking outside the box”, or creative thinking, can result in new and innovative designs or work elements never before imagined.  To do so one must be prepared not to follow the pack or take the most readily accepted answer as a solution.  Your thoughts come from deep reaches and these totally different ideas can make a positive difference, moving you through growth and self-development whether in your career or personal life.

No, we can’t change the weather and a more positive “thinking outside the box” perspective naturally requires us to change our routine, doing more outside chores earlier in the day, resting inside mid-afternoon and taking on late day activities when it is cooler to avoid becoming like the over-cooked popcorn as shown at the beginning of this article.

Challenge yourself daily and you’ll be surprised at the ease over time in which you will be able to solve things away from the tried-and-true habits.  Let your thinking outside of the old box be your guide to a new and positive approach to life.