Think Outside the Box
Today’s g
uest blogger is Jim White.
If ever there was a management cliché I am tired of hearing it is, “Think outside the box!” But a recent study led by the University of Michigan seems to support out of the box thinking. The key is their definition of ‘box”. The study may indicate that managers could increase the number of good ideas produced by their workforce by getting them out of their boxes. Creative thinking may be stimulated by leaving your normal workplace for a while.
I am a natural introvert with a very nice “box”. The windows of my office look out over the college pond to the golf course beyond. The local school district’s new high school campus perches on a hilltop above the seventh tee. I really like my box. But when I am in it I am surrounded by immediate things. The computer monitor flickers with the latest urgent requests from students and colleagues. A blinking light on the phone reminds me that I have not yet answered that voice mail. A stack of business publications insist that I read them. If I am in my box more than about four hours my brain begins to feel like someone is pouring glue on it. It is time for me to get out of my box. Lunch is a good excuse. A ten minute walk around the pond works nicely (leave the cell phone on the desk). Sometimes I go upstairs to see what my colleagues are talking about. The idea is to get away from all those everyday things that just cover you up after a while. There are many ways to do it.
I got the idea for this blog while taking a shower. Not many distractions in a shower. Besides, I can only see about a foot without my glasses.
Is your box blocking you? Go get outside your box for a few minutes. And don’t forget to think!
I can truly say that I have two boxes one is at work and the other at home. At one time I live in a very bad box confined to a deep dark place and somehow that dark place made me appreciate the two boxes I have now. I never knew how a boring life seems so beautiful, or able to learn how to appreciate simple things. I never knew how much I appreciate going to work everyday and actually doing some work. I get out and socialize every now and then, but basically just been a loaner. For some reason growing up was not the best of adventures, so, it seems as if I am making up for those days as a kid. I have had to re-invent myself, evaluate where I have been, and begin the future differently to insure that I do things in a wise manner.
Adrian E. Blair
Supervision BGMT 1301, 7426
I am not employed at the moment however, I do know a great deal about this box as recently I have had a harder time coming out of mine. I am a mother of four and chose to stay home to raise them all. With the youngest being almost thirteen already I decided to go back into the workforce only to find that without experience and education I have no chance of getting a job. I started this semester at Northlake taking business courses hoping to further at least my education and maybe even venture to start my own business. The process is a little more complicated than I expected. This class is harder than anticipated and obviously things will get even harder! I find mysel in my box alot lately and unmotivated to come out with depression knocking at my door. I know the expression and in this case it is the answer. I need to think outside my box that limits me to what I think I can not do and broaden my scope to all the things I can and will accomplish this semester and for the rest of the degree planning future. The box can be very limiting!