We all have had that rare moment when we have developed an out of the box idea or solution.
It’s a wonderful, empowering and energising experience.
But what if we have been focused on the wrong thing.
Rather than celebrating an out of the box idea perhaps we should be aiming to develop an out of the box mind.
Why?
Because generating an out of the box idea is often a random event.
It could come from a chance conversation or very occasionally emerges from a group brainstorming session.
And this has a self-fulfilling aspect to it.
We expect to produce a out of the box idea rarely so when it happens we are surprised and assume that is the natural order of things.
But why not switch this.
Why not aim to develop an out of the box mind?
Which begs the question, what is an out of the box mind?
My initial thoughts are that it is one that is:
- continuously curious (think beginners mind)
- open to new ideas, perspectives and experiences
- is willing to challenge their own assumptions, beliefs or theories
- likes to build on the ideas of others
- restless with the status quo
- independent of thought
- can empower and inspire others to break free of their own thinking patterns
- collaborate with people who are equally open and
- playful and enjoys creating and enhancing ideas
How to develop an Out of the Box Mind?
One way is to learn how to Switch your Thinking.
Switch Thinking as the name implies is the ability to change your mode of thinking.
From what I call Box Mode to Ball Mode.
These are metaphors to convey different modes of thinking.
And this is important.
These are modes not people.
Anyone can develop these modes.
Box Mode as the name suggests is:
- structures
- Logical
- Linear
- Rational and
- Feels safe and comfortable
Ball Mode by comparison suggests a different mode of thinking which is:
- playful
- fun
- imaginative
- unstructured and
- emotive
An out of the box mind I suggest is one that can shift to Ball Mode when the situation is needed.
It could be at work, home, in. acfe or even on the sporting field.
Being in Ball Mode is energising and empowering.
It means that you can access your creativity on demand.
You do not have to wait for inspiration or an insight in the shower for example.
Nor do you have to wait for a group or team.
You can just switch.
By doing so you can start to develop an out of the box mind.
For example;
You can look a problem from a scientist’s point of view.
Then you can switch to say a clown’s perspective.
Suddenly the situation looks different.
You have stretched your potential solution space from what is usual to what is different.
This also works with AI for example.
You can have a problem and ask Chat GPT for example for some initial ideas.
Then you can prompt ChatGPT to develop say 5 new ideas from the perspective of child for example.
Then you can compare, contrast and connect some of the AI’s initial ideas with the later (child-like) ideas to develop a better, bigger solution.
This can all happen in minutes.
Doing this regularly means that you are well on the way to developing an Out of the Box Mind.