Thinking outside the box simply implies engaging your mind in a more creative manner. When you think outside the box, you let your creative juices flow, and are able to visualise a problem or situation differently from how you normally would. People who think outside the box aren’t afraid of taking the paths less travelled in their quest for success. Here are some tips that you can use to be an outstanding thinker both in business and beyond.
Question the status quo regularly
Make nonconformity the expected conversation. Ask “Why?” “How might we…?” and “What if…?” Put apparent conflicting issues side by side and begin to solve for them as a team. Conventional wisdom might say resolving conflicting issues isn’t possible, but if you challenge “the way we do it today,” you’ll come up with new thinking.
Don’t be afraid to be silly
If you really want to think outside of the box, you will have to get a little silly. Not only will being silly help you come up with unique ideas, it will also loosen your thoughts up and allow you to get even more motivated to think. Don’t think of a business card as just a business card, think of it as a one way telephone conversation recorded on paper. Don’t just think of a car as a car, think of it as an airplane that just never takes off. Get as absurd as you want.
Explore opposing views
Another way to think outside the box is to explore a problem from the opposing side of the argument. You may think that your views and opinions about a situation are rational and objective. But other people may also have valid counterarguments. Therefore, it pays to listen to opposing opinions and beliefs.
Work backwards
Our brains are naturally wired to analyse problems from the cause-effect point of view. In working backwards, you try to break away from this traditional way of conceptualising a situation by first focusing on the “effect” aspect of the problem. One notable benefit of working backwards is that you always have clear goals you’re working towards achieving.
Contrary to popular perception, thinking outside the box doesn’t necessarily mean racking your brains to solve a problem. By practicing the simple yet practical tips we’ve discussed in this post, you’ll gradually nurture the culture of creative thinking.
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