Think Differently
“If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.”
- George S. Patton
I am a huge believer in education. I wouldn’t be where I am at without my pursuit of knowledge. But I was one of the lucky ones; I had teachers who challenged us to think outside the box.
I did not know what my teachers thought about politics, religion, society, or any other major topic until later in my education. They were neutral on every topic. When pressed on their thoughts, my teachers would respond, “It’s not important what I think, but it is important that you understand why you think what you think.”
Mrs. McCauley, my seventh-grade social science could argue both sides of a topic so well that you had no idea what she thought. When I became a teacher, I used her Socratic Method style of teaching to make sure my students thought about what they believed in.
Today, I see people getting caught up in THOUGHT BOXES. A THOUGHT BOX is where one becomes so stuck in one way of thought that they can’t think differently. Because of their education, they have been taught by people who have never been “in the field” to see if what they are teaching actually stands up to real-life situations.
Thinking Outside the Box
One of the greatest examples of getting stuck in a THOUGHT BOX was in the area of powered flight. In 1750, Sir John Smeaton came up with Smeaton’s Coefficient. This equation answered the questions involving lift and drag on a fixed-wing. Smeaton never flew; in fact, there were no planes in 1750, so it was more of a “theory.”
From the time that Smeaton came out with this coefficient until 1900, there were no successful flights. Why? Because everyone used this mathematical equation when designing their wings … and it was wrong. It took two men, one a bicycle repairman and the other who worked in printing, to put this equation to the test to find out it was flawed.
Orville and Wilbur Wright reconfigured the lift and drag, and on December 17, 1903, they flew for the first time.
For 150+ years, engineers were stuck in the THOUGHT BOX that this was the only way to figure lift and drag. Because everyone worked out of the same book, it took two people who thought independently and didn’t know that they couldn’t do what they just did.
Asking Questions
This happens in our world today. Unfortunately, much of the strife and friction that we have today are caused by overzealous individuals who are stuck in their THOUGHT BOXES. They have been told, taught, and inundated with the idea that this is wrong or right. They have not been taught to understand “why” this is wrong or right before they make their stand. They haven’t been brought up asking questions. They are told to go, and they go without understanding of why, what, when, where or how.
We need to go back to a time when we did ask questions. There was a time when we were encouraged to ask questions and were not regarded as “heretics” when we questioned what was thought to be true, and we need to get back to that time.
Breaking the Thought Box
Here are five ways to begin getting out of our own way and allowing ourselves to think in new and amazing ways.
Be Open to New Ideas:
The first step to getting out of a THOUGHT BOX is to challenge your assumptions. Question the beliefs and ideas that have been holding you back and consider alternative perspectives. By challenging your assumptions, you open yourself up to new possibilities and opportunities for growth.
Always Take (Calculated) Risks:
Taking risks is essential for getting out of a THOUGHT BOX because it requires stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing uncertainty. By taking calculated risks, you can push past your fears and limitations to explore new possibilities that lead to personal growth and innovation.
Be Mindful:
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, you can quiet the noise in your mind and focus on what truly matters. This allows you to see things from a fresh perspective and break free from the patterns of negative thinking that keep you trapped in a THOUGHT BOX.
Curiosity is the Key:
Curiosity is the fuel for creative thinking because it drives us to ask questions, seek answers, and explore new ideas. Cultivate curiosity by staying open-minded, asking "why" instead of "what," and constantly seeking knowledge beyond what is known or familiar.
Have Fun!
As you begin to think differently, you will find yourself becoming different. This is a scary and exciting place to be. You will begin to think differently than your former peers, and you will be outside the realm of “the books” that you leaned on so heavily. But this is GREAT! Always be willing to challenge yourself to grow. When you do, celebrate your changes. Start small and let each small victory of thought bring you to a bigger struggle. Like the Wright Brothers, it’s okay to let go of what WAS so that you can find what CAN be.
Have an amazing day!
