Pros and Cons of “The Box”

Read a great question a few moments ago:  “what if the answers you’re looking for are IN the box?” (Dan Clark).   There’s so much hype these days about thinking outside the box, that the question merits some consideration.  For me, it’s less about getting out of the box, as realizing that your box is bigger than you believe to be true.

“The Box” is filled with shadowy places, dark corners if you will.  Because of the shadowy nature of these corners, it’s easy to overlook what might be lurking there.  Indeed, it’s easy to assume that what’s lurking there isn’t worth you finding it.  And yet, so often, what’s “lurking” is just playing a game of hide-and-seek with your mind.  It wants to be found.  And the way to find it is two-fold:  one, shine a light on it.  Or two, expand the walls of your box so that the corners are brought into the light.

When you’re willing to expand the size of your box — move the walls as it were — then you’re able to play outside the self-imposed parameters that exist.  You start to realize that your “box” is really quite malleable, and that you can shift in however you want until you find what you’re looking for.

Bottom-line:  don’t worry about thinking inside  or outside of the box so much as giving your box expandable walls.  I believe that’ll serve you better.