The famous “out of the box”, which has become a kind of holy grail of creativity and the ability to innovate. You can hear it everywhere. And in different variants, up to Apple with its famous “think different”.
Easy to say. Now that we know that, what do we do? “No creativity without going outside the box”, OK, but what's next?
“Think outside the box, smash the box and stick a fucking sharp knife in”/“Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a fucking sharp knife to it. ” ― Banksy, Walland Piece
I often say at creativity conferences that this “box” is a perception box. The perception of our profession, of our external environment, of those around us. In a way, it is the software that will guide our reactions to this environment. It is also a “box” that structures the vision of the world specific to each person, to each cultural context, to each era, to each profession. This “box” is hidden, because it is completely internalized: we are not necessarily aware of this software.
” It's the story of two young fish who swim and cross paths with an older fish who nods at them and says, “Hi, boys. Is the water good? “The two young fish swim for a while longer, then one looks at the other and says, “Do you know what water is? “” (DaVidFoster Wallace, Kenyon College, May 21, 2005). We are sometimes a bit like these fish, we sometimes forget the “water” in which we live, the jar that divides our thinking, and therefore limits our vision and our creativity.
The challenge then becomes to get out of this box. But before getting out of it, you still have to be aware that it exists and identify its contours!
When I speak as an innovation speaker, I usually cite this example: Do you ever live in “automatic mode” and suddenly realize that you could slow down your pace in the street, that you could take the time to examine around you? In some way, that you are able to take a step back from your own way of thinking? If that's the case, try to do it as often as possible! This ability develops like a muscle: the more you work on it, the more you will be able to get out of the box!
Becoming aware means doing a job of observing the box. A work to identify thought reflexes.
Finally, here is an exercise that you can do to strengthen your ability to become aware of your automatic thinking, understand becoming aware of the famous contours of the box:
- In the morning when going to work, change the itinerary (this is, by the way, recommended by doctors for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease). Discover “side roads”. In general, hang out with people who are different from your usual circle, change the things you know, reorganize your living room. In short: change to leave the “automations”. By doing this you will promote your brain plasticity and allow your brain to remain agile and alert.
Being able to get out of the box is a matter of training!
Alexis Botaya, creativity and innovation speaker.
- My creativity podcast on Majelan
- My Create to Innovate Challenge on WelcomeOriginals
