Outside the Box

 

“Thinking outside of the box” is an overused phrase, but what does it really mean?  Did you know that sticker burrs (yes, like you find in a field of weeds) were the inspiration for the fastener we now know as Velcro?  That is outside of the box thinking!  It makes sense, but I sure would not have thought of it.  When we look at the familiar with fresh eyes, we really open our minds to creativity. It is not easy to do. I am not the most creative guy around, but I try to look at business problems with an open mind.  It is very easy to get caught in a rut, to live with blinders on.  We tend to only see things within the parameters we are accustomed.  But wild ideas are often really very creative solutions.

“Thinking outside the box” might be overused, but it is an absolutely necessary way of thinking.  It does not come naturally. It requires intentionality. We must consciously force ourselves to see with fresh eyes and think outside of the box.

How will you see things this week? 

Ironman

 

Ironman Texas was this past weekend in The Woodlands.  It is one of my favorite weekends of the year!  There are so many moving and powerful aspects to the weekend that I always come away motivated and fulfilled.  My two takeaways from this weekend are…

 

Inspirational - What these athletes accomplish in an Ironman is a special feat unto itself.  Many of them have special circumstances, unique stories and difficult places from which they have come.  In every single case, it is absolutely inspirational.  Seeing what people overcame, endure and push themselves to accomplish was amazing!  I knew a few first timers and several returning athletes this year.  Each had their own story and reason for this pursuit.  They have now accomplished something few others ever will.  I am just proud to know them and be inspired by them.

 

Volunteerism – Each year we are in charge of an aid station on the run.  It takes 120+ people and over 15 hours of hard work to put on what we like to think of as an event for the athletes.  We do it for them and we do it for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  It is so fulfilling!  The athletes are so appreciative.  We know that what we do for them can make the difference in when, and maybe if, they finished.  But what they did for us was just as important!

 

We were blessed to be part of such an incredible event and to support such impressive athletes!

Outside the Box

“Thinking outside of the box” is an overused phrase, but what does it really mean?  Did you know that sticker burrs (yes like you find in a field of weeds) were the inspiration for the fastener we now know as Velcro?  Now that is outside of the box thinking!  It makes sense, but I sure would not have thought of it.  When we look at the familiar with fresh eyes we really open our minds to creativity.  I am not the most creative guy around, but I try and look at business problems with an open mind.  It is very easy to get caught in a rut, to live with blinders on.  We tend to only see things within the parameters we are accustomed.  But wild ideas are often really very creative solutions.  “Thinking outside the box” might be overused, but it is a necessary way of thinking.  It does not come naturally.  We have to consciously force ourselves to see with fresh eyes and think outside of the box.

How will you see things this week?