Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

March 13, 2006

Finding Ideas Outside the Box

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:48 am

There Is No Box

Finding Ideas Outside of the Box logo 2

There is no box. There never was one. We just got taught to think inside one. You see, it was a management issue. With so many kids to teach at once, it’s more productive to teach one way of thinking than to manage a room full of creativity. . . . So when we weren’t looking, many of us learned the fundamentals of problem-solving, how to color inside the lines, and a way of thinking about things that isn’t all that different from a mime inside a box.

Just like the box that the mime pushes and touches even though you can’t see it. The box that we think inside isn’t real. The way to get out is easy enough–just stop believing in the box.

Life Without the Box

Life without the box is so much easier. It’s as if you now can use all modes of transportation available rather than always having to walk. The resources of your brain are freed up. Even better, it’s a lot more fun, once you get used to it, because thinking outside of the proverbial box involves playing with ideas not just thinking.

DaVinci knew it. So did Einstein. Most inventors couldn’t find the inside of the box if they tried. All great thinkers–folks we call geniuses–know that there’s nothing new to be gathered by staying where everyone else is doing their thinking. So let’s get on with getting out of it.

What You’ll Find Outside the Box

Every day, I’ll offer a strategy and some ideas for approaching your business from a new direction. Each strategy will be flexible and realistic. I’ll show you how to apply it to writing, problem solving, or refining your brand.

To be useful, even thinking outside of the box needs structure, so I’ll be using a problem-solution format. Then within each solution I’ll offer three content subsets: Information, Presentation/Form, and YOU/Function. Those three subheads come directly from What Is Content that Keeps Readers?

So, if you’re ready, I am. Enough with this introduction, let’s let the games begin. Everyone can think like a genius. It only takes a little practice, and a firm commitment to throw away the darn box.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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12 Comments to “Finding Ideas Outside the Box”

  1. March 13th, 2006 at 10:14 am
    Robert Bruce said

    I’m looking forward to this Liz. It’s hard to throw away the box when you’re not even aware you’ve been hiding inside it for years…

    Thanks for taking this one head on.

  2. March 13th, 2006 at 10:17 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Robert,
    I’m so glad to hear that. I’m just about to put up another post. This series is going to last for quite a while I think–she said thinking out side of the box. (with a big Cheshire cat grin)

    It’s not a hard one for me to take on. I’ve been told I think wrong all of my life. For once it’s working in my favor and I’m going to take full advantage of that.

    YEA!!!

    Liz

  3. March 13th, 2006 at 8:11 pm
    Martin said

    Niiiice … lets get the ball rolling. I’m all for living outside of the box - pretty much spent my life doing it … don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing :-).

  4. March 13th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Martin,
    So where would you like to start. I was thinking about in the middle . . . Got any ideas beyond that?

    liz

  5. March 13th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
    Martin said

    I’ll leave it all up to you, Liz …

    Get into brainstorming and controlled right brain use (imo, sometimes creativity is a lost art in business) and I’ll be turning this into an eBook ;-)

  6. March 13th, 2006 at 8:26 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Martin,
    I think there’s a long running series here. Thinking with the right brain, pulling things apart and putting them back together again, to get to the ideas and to get things done–there’s a wealth of information to mine and share.

    I’ve got notes and notes and notes and some of it makes beautiful music. :)
    liz

  7. March 13th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
    marianne richmond said

    No box? I bet you’re going to tell me there’s no santa claus, next.

    Great points, Liz…like the way you added back a little structure.
    Marianne

  8. March 13th, 2006 at 11:07 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Marianne,

    Need the structure in order to keep us honest. Can’t be too free floating or we’ll lose our way completely. I like to make sure things get done too. :)

    That way I have time to make cookies for Santa Claus. . . .

    Smiles,
    Liz

  9. March 16th, 2006 at 9:14 am
    Successful Blog - The 10 Skills Most Critical to Your Future said

    [...] PS We’re going to go down the list of all 10 in the Finding Ideas Outside of the Box series. Let me know if there’s one you’d like to do first. [...]

  10. March 27th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
    Liz Strauss . com Genius Think for the 21st Century said

    [...] I’m putting together a presentation from the content of the eBook I’m developing as a series over at Successful-Blog. The working title is “Genius Think: Thinking Outside the Box for the 21st Century.” [...]

  11. December 17th, 2007 at 8:49 am
    Holiday Bloggers’ Block — What to Get to Let Ideas Come to You!! - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You are only a stranger once. said

    [...] Don’t Hunt IDEAS — Be an Idea Magnet Got the Idea. Now What Do I Do with It? Finding Ideas Outside the Box Eye-Deas 1: Have You Started Seeing [...]

  12. June 28th, 2008 at 10:41 am
    Critical Skill 10: The 4 Keeper Traits of Productivity — Are YOU the New Killer App? - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said

    [...] articles The 10 Skills Most Critical to Your Future Finding Ideas Outside the Box Personal Branding: Strengths Assessment Tool Brand YOU–What’s the BIG IDEA? Tags: [...]

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