Thinking out of the box. Does it always help?

Question

Everyone these days cite "thinking out of the box" as one of the success formulae. Do we get to know only about those successes in the open? How about the several possible failures on account of 'thinking out of the box'? What is the success percentage? How about the traditional avenues? The time-tested methods, don't they produce successes? Why is everyone harping about 'thinking out of the box'?

Answer 1

Within the folds of the universe lie numberless secrets and I think the only way to get to these secrets is to learn to see the world differently by applying out-of-the-box thinking. Incredible discoveries have been made thanks to such thinking. Some examples include laws of gravity, the earth being round, that it moves around the sun, evolution of species, the drift of continents and the concept of zero.

If we want to experience our milieu in a fresh way, out of the box thinking would be necessary. But in-the-box thinking is the way of experiencing our milieu as a community that is by embracing the beliefs, values, assumptions and prejudices of the people we share our lives with. I think human beings need to apply both types of thinking and strike a balance between them.

Thinking out-of-the-box usually requires accepting a degree of discomfort. Recall the young prince who left 'the box' of a happy household and birthright to a kingdom in order to find answers to some meaningful questions. As a result, he founded a great religion that has enriched millions. More recently, another man used his out-of-the-box brand of thinking to begin dismantling the largest empire the world has known without so much as poking a finger into anyone’s side.

Certainly, out-of-the-box thinking may be applied in the business world to great advantage, too. The paper clip, Velcro, hotmail.com and You Tube are just some of the countless examples. In fact, when Christopher Columbus set sail to find a westward route to India it was essentially an out-of-the-box business enterprise.

Out-of-the-box thinking does not guarantee success. In fact, the rate of failure is very high but for such thinkers the rush of pursuing an original idea is often reward enough.

And such thinking can also be useful to ward off the harm of a potentially traumatic experience as in this advice by a much respected ancient sage: When rape is inevitable, lie back and enjoy it.

Answer 2

First I think you should understand the meaning of 'Out of box thinking'.

See, there are so many questions posted in yahoo. Do all the people answer all the questions? No. I answer only to those question that are different and informative.
That is where Out of Box thinking works.

I saw your question titled like:
"Thinking out of the box. Does it always help?" , when I saw it for the first time I felt "this question is different", then I started answering it. So, you have been successful.

The World as become competitive. It takes great effort to be successful in this competitive world. We need to deliver something that is more capable than others. So, we are pushed to a situation where you need to think differently from others.

Answer 3

In my experience, thinking out of the box is best to use when all else fails.
When proven and structured systems of thinking fail to produce adequate solutions, continuing to stumble upon them is of no use. The problem is that many people are reluctant - or unable - to think without using those pre-defined schemas... "the box".

When "the box" fails, being able to think creatively - "out of the box" will surely help. But you must be aware: Boxed solutions are fast, repeatable. Out-of-box solutions are creative but slow and unreliable (can you ever really come up with the solution?) So you must design a way to transform the latter into one of those boxed solutions - streamline it, if you may.

Use out-of-box thinking timely and wisely, unless you have a bunch of people that are constantly thinking out of the box just for the heck of it.

Answer 4

So that people will suggest things that they normally wouldn't. It used to be called "brainstorming". You get ideas presented in an atmosphere of anything goes, nothing is wrong or silly, all is considered. It enables creativity that would normally be hindered by social shyness or fear of looking dumb for making a suggestion. Time tested is good so far: Microsoft started in a garage, Domino's at a college campus as with Dell, these were"out of the box". Why limit your outlook?

Answer 5

No, not exactly. Success Story of every successful man is different. Accordingly formulae followed by one can not be followed.

Answer 6

It makes them feel young and edgy, those stodgy suits who are in at the corporate level, who thrill to the joys of jargon.

Usually, in my experience, very little "outside the box" thinking survives, because, in the end, people are afraid no one will take them up on their offer of innovation. They are scared little rabbits. Thus, 99% of the "outside the box" thinking winds up in the big metal box out back.

If you know your market, and they are completely stable and 100% replenishable, no need to innovate.

Answer 7

thinking out of the box..... it all depends on your mind set, ur age, ur expierience, . it is a relative question. success stories seem to change from person to person. it is always like' the other job is better" . so " staying foccussed" is the key.

Answer 8

Because innovation brings wealth and development. That in turn means higher incomes and investment. Only fear of applying innovation can hold anyone back; it never hurts to try to do something new when everyone just follows the beaten path.

Answer 9

Generally yes.