It’s not just a saying – It’s an action! Thinking creatively and critically will give you new ideas and solutions, and more options!
Thinking outside the box is essential for achieving success in life. If you want to achieve something great, you must be willing to think differently.
There are endless opportunities in life, but you can only take advantage of them if you're willing to think outside the box.
So, ask yourself:
What do you want in life?
What are your goals and dreams?
What are you willing to do to make them a reality?
Let’s start by giving you the solution to the 9 Dot Challenge I set you in the last blog post and then we can discuss:
· The power of thinking outside the box
· The benefits of thinking outside the box
· The power of multiplication - When 9 dots becomes 9 x 9
· How to live a more creative life: Are you thinking differently?
· Where there is a problem – See an opportunity
· 10 Ways to stop living in a box
· 30 Questions to find out if you're stuck in a box …. or even several boxes!
The Power of Thinking Outside the Box
Here’s the summary recap of the 9 Dot Challenge:
On your paper, please draw a 3 x 3 grid of 9 dots. Like this:
Now, join the nine dots with four straight lines without taking your pen off the paper.
And here is the answer
The solution is Outside of the Box.
Easy when you know how isn’t it?
So now you must apply that same thinking towards the things you want to achieve.
As a result, so many possibilities will be opened to you!
Or consider what John Carlton has to say in his book: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Getting Your Shit Together
“If what you’ve done over the past 5 years hasn’t worked for you, then change what you’re doing or the next 5 years will be the same”
The Benefits of Thinking Outside the Box
We all have choices to make in life. What we choose to do with our time, energy and resources will determine our success.
But remember, as I mentioned in our conversation on Your Definition of Success – we actually only really have two choices: TO DO or NOT TO DO
Too often, people get caught up in the "shoulds" of life, instead of in taking action.
If you want to be successful, you need to start thinking outside the box. That means considering all your options and making the choice to act in the direction that is right for YOU – Not what someone else thinks you should do.
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much."
It can be tough to go against the grain, but it's essential if you want to create the life YOU want. So, make decisions that are true to you. It's the only way to achieve real success.
Start by
Expanding your horizons and exploring new possibilities.
Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
Take risks and don't be afraid to fail.
Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve anything you set your mind to.
When you start thinking outside the box, the sky's the limit!
The Power of Multiplication - When 9 Dots Become 9 x 9
There is another dimension to this exercise that you should also consider.
We are each a single dot in life.
That makes us vulnerable and open to attack.
We are dependent on our individual strength, knowledge, health and wealth.
When we become a mesh of multiple dots we gain strength, resistance and protection.
So, the more dots we can join, the greater the impact we can have because we work collectively.
That is also our thinking when we created our Paying It Forward Community.
How to Live a More Creative Life: Are you Thinking Differently?
"Telephone did not come into existence from the persistent improvement of the postcard."
- Amit Kalantri.
Our options, your options, are not ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
The spectrum is not black nor white, it is not even red, yellow, or blue.
Our spectrum of possibilities is immense and you must stop thinking of your life options as just those things that are put in front of you.
You have options, opportunities... some you may not have considered or may not even know exist.
Remember in the 9 Dot Challenge when I asked you why did you stop at the third dot? – No one tells you to stop thinking – It’s your programmed mindset which brings you to a halt.
Don’t stop – keep searching.
“Those who can’t change their minds can’t change anything.” George Bernard Shaw
You must go out and explore those opportunities that are waiting for you, to bring you closer to the success you deserve.
What does this mean?
It means that every time you make a decision, please do not look for the most obvious or quickest solution. Find the route or the answer that takes you beyond your usual thinking and that fits best with your Definition of Success, and most importantly, with what you have written on your Blank Piece of Paper.
You must continually think outside the box and be creative.
It takes a while to master but keep asking yourself:
“Am I thinking differently?”
Let me ask you again:
Are You Thinking Differently?
Society tells us to conform -To be like everyone else - To not stand out.
But as human beings, we are all unique, with individual traits and personalities, our own ambitions and our own skills and talents.
It is our uniqueness which gives each one of us the potential to be a Changemaker.
It’s called Human Capital, something we will cover in a future blog.
We should all stand out and each person should be proud of being who they are. (Which is not the same as stepping out into the spotlight if you don’t want to.)
I wouldn’t choose to have such a high public profile, but if I didn’t have this profile then I would struggle to achieve my objective of ‘Turning 7 Billion Ideas to Action – including YOURS!’
Since beginning my journey, I have gone from being a victim of domestic violence living in Nottingham, UK, to being an Entrepreneur, policy maker and travelling and speaking across the world to all age groups and backgrounds, sharing with them the value of their ideas.
I love standing on a stage and giving my speeches because it helps me recognise how far I have come, and how my journey is making an impact. But most importantly I am sharing my knowledge, learning and experience, and I am Paying It Forward.
As far as society is concerned, let’s just say, I didn’t conform!
You can read more about how many boxes I have escaped in my book, Madi No Excuses if you are interested.
Living a life that is unique to you is a life that is outside the box.
I love these two quotes from Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool, from the book:
“We can create our own potential.”
And:
“There’s no cell type that geniuses have that the rest of us don’t.”
So, ask yourself
Am I stuck in a box?
Or should that be:
How many boxes am I stuck in?
YOU KNOW how to get out of the box, the next question is:
Do You Want To Get Out of The Box?
Assuming you do, (otherwise, you wouldn't be this far down the page!), here's how to do it:
10 Ways to Stop Living in a Box
1. Recognize that you are living in a box - Accept it. We are all in one box or another, but we have the resolve to get out of any box if we want to take action to do so.
2. Acknowledge that the box is confining and limiting - Define what "outside the box" means to you. This is the first and most important step. You need to know what living outside the box means to you before you can start making changes.
3. Stop comparing yourself to others - One of the main reasons we live in a box is because we compare ourselves to others. We think we must be like them or have what they have in order to be happy. But that's not true! You are unique and you should celebrate that.
4. Realize that you have the power to break out of the box - Follow your dreams. Too often, we let our dreams die because we think they're too ambitious or we're not good enough. But if you never try, you'll never know what you could achieve. So go after your dreams and don't let anything, or anyone, stop you.
5. Understand that the box is not who you are - Be yourself. This one is easier said than done, but it's so important. We often put on masks and try to be someone we're not just to fit in or please others. Be accepting – of yourself, of others, and of life itself. Things are as they are and resistance only creates suffering. But at the end of the day, the only person you need to worry about pleasing is YOURSELF!
6. Commit to breaking out of the box - Be open to new possibilities – don't limit yourself to what you know or what you've been told is possible. Know, you can escape!
7. Make a plan to break out of the box - Be willing to take risks – step outside of your comfort zone and into the unknown. Let go of attachments – attachment to material possessions, outcomes, or other people only leads to suffering.
8. Take action to break out of the box - Break out of your routine – try new things, go to new places, and meet new people. Embrace change – instead of resisting it, flow with it and see where it takes you.
9. Persevere in your efforts to break out of the box - Follow your heart – listen to your intuition and do what feels right for you, not what others think you should do. Don't be afraid to be different – be true to yourself and don't conform to societal norms or expectations.
10. Celebrate your success in breaking out of the box! - Live in the present moment – focus on the here and now and let go of past mistakes or future worries. Practice gratitude – Focus on what's good in your life and be thankful for all that you have, no matter how small it may seem
Where there is a problem – See an opportunity
Where most people see a problem, you should try to see an opportunity.
Where one person may see a rundown property, another would see the opportunity to invest in cheap real estate. Look at the recycling industry; it is based on people's rubbish. Flea markets, eBay- all based on 'one man's trash, another man's treasure'.
And today, that industry has expanded to create so many Paying It Forward opportunities where we are not only helping each other but protecting the one planet we have.
In the next blog post, I will share with you some great case studies from our community.
Quoting John D. Rockefeller, “I always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity.”
You can sit there and highlight that you have a problem, or you can ask:
‘HOW can I solve this problem?’
You just need to have the vision and determination to want to move forward.
Now, apply Thinking Outside the Box to your Fantasy exercise, and let’s move forward!
One last point:
No Excuses!
If you really want to get out of your box, correction, boxes!! – then it’s time for NO EXCUSES!
There’s a reason my signature has my motto on it: To remind me that excuses are unacceptable, and action is essential.
So, stop making excuses – If you want something, go out and get it. There's no room for excuses in a successful life.
With that said:
Be willing to take risks – In order to achieve something great, you must be willing to take risks.
That means stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown.
Get organized – A cluttered mind leads to a cluttered life. Get organized and simplify your life so you can Focus on what's important.
All our blog posts are about getting you organised, one step at a time.
Set goals – Without goals, you'll never achieve anything significant. Sit down and make a list of things you want to accomplish, both short-term and long-term. Goal setting is something we will consider in a future blog.
Take action – Once you have your goals set, it's time to act and make them happen. Don't wait around for things to happen – make them happen yourself!
Keep positive – A positive attitude is the key to achieving success. Believe in yourself and stay positive throughout the journey towards your goals
And here’s your homework, so you can consider how many boxes you might actually be stuck in:
30 Questions To Find Out If You're Stuck In A Box... or even several boxes!
I have done it as a download so you can complete it, keep it and continually review it.
Here are 30 questions to ask yourself:
1. What is your current situation?
2. Are you happy with your current situation?
3. What kind of work do you currently do?
4. Do you feel like you are doing what you love?
5. Are you appreciated for what you do?
6. What are your goals and dreams?
7. What is holding you back from achieving your goals and dreams?
8. What is the worst that could happen if you don't achieve your goals?
9. Are you open to new ideas and approaches?
10. Do you take risks?
11. Do you embrace change?
12. Do you challenge yourself?
13. Do you step out of your comfort zone, and if you do, how often do you do it?
14. Do you think outside the box?
15. Do you take responsibility for your life?
16. Do you believe that anything is possible?
17. What do you want to change about your life?
18. What have you been doing to try to improve your life?
19. Has it been working?
20. Are you willing to change your approach?
21. What is your definition of success?
22. How much free time do you currently have?
23. How do you spend your free time?
24. How much time do you spend on social media?
25. How much time do you spend watching television?
26. How much time do you spend talking to friends and family?
27. Do you love yourself first before you love others?
28. Do you take care of yourself first before you take care of others?
29. Are you grateful for what you have in life?
30. Do you make excuses?
You will become a member of our Paying It Forward Community.
Our website and blog will keep you updated and informed with relevant guidance to support your continued development.
We will also provide you with templates, e-books and downloadables that we have created to add momentum to your quest – Meaning: You will achieve your ambitions faster, overcome any challenges, and be ready to grasp new opportunities as they appear before you.
Gandhi said, “You must be the change YOU want to see”
Madi says, “You must be the change YOU want to see – NO EXCUSES!”
Founder Madi Group www.madisharma.org
Founder Women’s Eco-nomic & Social Think Tank www.westtworld.com
Author Madi No Excuses! www.madinoexcuses.com
Entrepreneur, International Speaker, Freelance Journalist
Listed as 1 of apolitical’s 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy in 2018
@MadiSharma1
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