Think Out of the Box



The phrase “Think out of the box” is used extensively especially when bosses want to sound wise. The phrase has the common meaning of thinking of new ideas and to innovate. Are we creative and innovative? Does it make sense to think out of the box?

Are we creative and innovative? Do you know why children are happy and adults are not?  If you give a child crayons and ask him or her to draw, the child will immediately make something out.  But if you ask an adult to draw, you will hear several excuses - “I don’t know how.” “I am not creative.” “I don’t have time.” “I am not in the mood”. Adults complain, children use what they have and are happy to do it.

No wonder even Jesus said that we should have faith like that of a child.  A child believes and expects.  An adult doubts and is always hesitant.

Unfortunately as kids grow up their creativeness and innovativeness dissipate. Their creativity is not given enough opportunity to grow and to show because of the rules that we impose on a child such as,  

“Do not speak when not spoken to....”

“Follow the line....”

“Do not color outside the box…”

“Write down the answers inside the box…”

“Make sure you stay within the box…..”

 

Now when they start working, they are commanded to think outside the box.  See the irony? But the truth of the matter is that we are creative because we are created by a brilliant maker. From an idea we can create something tangible.  Our world will not be as developed as it is now if we do not have bright minds. God’s other creations (animals and insects) do not have the mind to create stuff from an idea.  In fact, they don’t have ideas.  But the moment you think that you can’t and that you are not creative, then you will be right!

 

Now, let us proceed to the second question, “Does it make sense to think out of the box?’ This popular business phrase requires people to create new ideas that will develop and grow their business. But before you can create ideas, you first need to define your business box. You need understand the objectives of your business.  You need to define the goals you strive for. Though this criterion in defining goals is quite old, it is pertinent that you follow the fundamentals of setting goals. Goals  need to be SMART -  specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and of course time-bound.  Then you need to execute your plans and follow through with it.

 

Always ask the following questions as your guiding light in your business:

1. How’s my finance? Cash flow is extremely important; it is the lifeline of your business.
2. Customer pipeline? Am I creating new customers while retaining existing customers?
3. How is my company culture? Are the people in my organization having fun and creating new ideas? Are they ethical and honest and genuinely happy working for my organization?
4. Business Operations. Are we efficient and effective? Can we cut down bureaucracy and get things done a little bit faster but with a greater amount of accuracy and effectiveness? 

Thinking outside the box makes good business sense as long as you first consider what is inside your box (inside your present organization). If you neglect these, your business will be in trouble.