What’s In Your Box?

By L. Wagner

We find comfort in the familiar. We tend to follow processes which were previously established. We follow the lead from our current and past leaders. On the personal side, we follow tradition – we pull from our frames of reference.

Innovation does not mean we disregard that perspective. Innovation comes from expounding on why the system worked in the past and then making it better. Innovation comes when we fully understand the word WHY? Why was this created? Why does it work? Why do we need to change it? Who has it affected? Who has benefited? Does it need to be changed? The list can go on and on. Our innovative nature will often kick in when questions like these are answered. The questions may then arise on how “what was” can now be applied to “what can be”.

Albert Einstein once said “The important thing is never stop questioning”. The most powerful tool for creativity and innovation is to question. The questioning process takes place subconsciously but you must consciously ask yourself several questions. If you question everything — big things, small things, relevant and irrelevant things — you can become more creative because your frame of reference increases. In some cases, your frame of reference may even change. Think about how productive brainstorming sessions sometimes are, as ideas are bounced and tossed around. Remember the rule, “No idea is a bad one, everything has its place.” In Algebra, we are/were plagued by the letter “X”. “X” can mean anything to reach a solution. However, to get to a solution, questions must be answered to determine what “X” means. This same process can be applied in innovative thinking.

Sample Problem: x + 9 = 18 – 2x

Solution: x = 3(innovation)

It is necessary at times to go further than “Thinking Outside the Box”. We must go further by elevating to the next level or higher; this is called “Burning the Box”, which can be innovation at its best. Let’s look at a few examples of innovation at its best, in everyday items that have been used for years:

  • Telephones became cellular phones and are now called smart phones.
  • Boom boxes evolved in to the Walkman; today we have iPods.
  • Car keys changed to remote keys and now are keyless.

The same items evolved through the process of innovation. All ideas were on the table and not seen as impossible. Through innovation, the questions were answered and we adjusted to the identified.

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