Note from Ilana – March 2017

Are you thinking outside the box? No box required!
Thinking is a process in which we realize the act of an unusual approach to the logical thinking structure, to escape typical reasoning and thinking.  So, have you been asked to think outside of the box for work, or have you desired a creative idea for your approach to a specific situation?  Thinking outside the box is a skill that can be developed through practice.  Break down the walls and challenge yourself.  Moving outside your comfort zone doesn’t have to be scary, and it can lead to an amazing start in developing creative thinking skills.

Changing up your space is important for moving away from typical routines to foster creativity.  Taking a walk, watching the sunset, or even taking a nice, long, hot bath can help get those juices flowing.  It’s been told that Steve Jobs used to hold walking meetings to brainstorm ideas.  And brainstorm!  Throwing out tons of difference ideas, some maybe off the wall, can be the start to moving away from the same old pattern and discovering a new approach to any situation with endless boundaries.  Don’t limit yourself when you’re brainstorming.   Daydream…daydreaming can help you make connections and recall information that you might not otherwise have considered. Often, the best ideas seem to come out of nowhere while you’re daydreaming.  Modify the dilemma – rethink the situation to find a solution.  Turn it upside down and inside out so you can look at new possible solutions that you might not have considered.  It also works in reverse. Focusing on the solution first, and then taking steps to move toward a resolution is often a path to success.  Set parameters for yourself. We all need basic parameters. This might seem like it would hinder creativity, but if you set the right parameters, you’ll find that it can open things up.  Setting your sights too high can lead to failure and disappointment.  Make sure that your goals are within your reach and your objective is realistic.  And lastly, think about the worst-case scenario.  Fear holds back creativity. Fear is what keeps us stuck in the same direction and what we know best. When considering the worst–case scenario, we can plan for it and avoid certain aspects of that action… or maybe discover that the situation isn’t so bad that we shouldn’t try.

So, break down those walls…thinking outside the box is what sets us apart from the ordinary and enhances our ability to reach beyond the limits of what is possible, and maybe even reach the impossible!

Thank you, Ilana Moses,
Founder and CEO of FSA