Think Outside The Box: The Revolutionary Way to Limit Your Creativity and Achieve Mediocrity

“Think outside the box,” they say. Oh, how clever. How original. But let’s be real here, the phrase “think outside the box” is about as clear as mud. It was first coined as “think outside the lines” in the late 1880s and then popularized by a scientist in the 1950s with the example of nine dots. But what does it even mean?

First, let’s get one thing straight: the “box” in question is not just some arbitrary physical boundary. Oh no, it’s so much more than that. It’s a metaphor for the constraints and boundaries that can limit our creativity. And you know what they say, “A metaphor a day keeps the boring reality at bay.”

Being asked to “think outside the box” can be a bit confusing, as it raises questions about the role of constraints in the creative process. On the one hand, constraints can provide boundaries that guide and focus the design process, helping to define the problem and narrow down possible solutions. This can be especially useful when working on complex problems requiring high precision and accuracy. But when a team gets stuck thinking about the practical sides of a problem, the person leading the team usually tell them to “think outside the box” in hopes that the team will stop thinking about the practical constraints or boundaries of the problem and come up with new and unique solutions.

The Constraint Paradox

I was taught to generate ideas within boundary conditions during my design education. I was taught to create a virtual boundary using all the necessary conditions, and all our design concepts had to fall within that space. The concepts that fall outside the boundary were ignored altogether. Our professors emphasized the importance of thinking of ideas within the box.

From my years of working experience, I have learned that constraints do not inhibit creativity; instead, they enhance it. Research has shown that highly creative individuals tend to work well with a lot of constraints. One notable example is Walt Disney, who made the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the early 1930s, despite facing constraints such as a lack of technology and experts. This is also true for several successful entrepreneurs, who were able to innovate and come up with creative solutions due to the constraints they faced. Most successful startups are excellent examples of this, as they were able to thrive in a challenging environment with limited resources and funding. In contrast, larger companies with more resources have struggled to develop innovative ideas due to the lack of constraints. This is because constraints can provide a clear direction and focus for the creative process, helping to generate more innovative and effective solutions.

Think Out of The Box — what is the point of having all these constraints if we’re going to throw them out the window?

On the other hand, thinking without constraints can lead to impractical ideas. It’s like telling a chef to “cook outside the recipe.” Sure, it sounds fancy and avant-garde, but at the end of the day, you’re probably just going to end up with a burnt, inedible mess. The recipe is there for a reason, folks. It’s a tried and true method, tested and perfected over time.

And let’s not forget that this whole “thinking outside the box” thing is subjective as hell. What one person considers to be “outside the box” another person may consider being straight-up ridiculous. So who’s to say what’s right and what’s wrong?

The Choice Paradox

However, the real problem for creativity from that catchphrase “think outside the box’” is not the lack of constraints; it’s the abundance of choices.

A boundary-less condition means we have unlimited choices. Studies indicate that an excess of options can have a negative impact on creativity and motivation. This is because a plethora of choices can lead to increased time and effort in selecting a creative direction and a higher likelihood of making a poor decision and experiencing regret. People may struggle to develop new ideas and even make poor decisions when faced with too many options. Despite an individual’s perceived skill in choosing from many creative direction options, research has shown that the brain’s ability to generate ideas operates like a bank. The more energy and resources used to develop one concept direction, the less available to refine or generate new ideas. Neuroscientists refer to this phenomenon as “psychological depletion.”

The idea that removing constraints and boundaries leads to increased creativity may be misguided, as too many options can stifle creativity.

It’s a Box of Thoughts

A few people say that the concept of a “box” refers to a person’s mindset or mental limitations. Sometimes, individuals may find themselves stuck in a “box of thoughts” where they keep revisiting the same ideas or thoughts and cannot break free. It’s important to note that the concept of a “box” is subjective in this case and can vary from person to person. The question is, do we need this kind of box? And if so, how do we define it? Doesn’t being mindful of this type of box subconsciously limit our creativity?

It’s also important to consider that individuals may not be aware of their own cognitive biases, which control their “box of thoughts.” In such scenarios, it can be challenging for a person to recognize their own limitations in idea generation and break free from them.

However, even if one can come up with a truly “outside the box” idea, there’s no guarantee that it will succeed. More often than not, it may be a complete flop. But it’s important to remember that creativity is a valuable pursuit in and of itself, regardless of the outcome.

In conclusion, “thinking outside the box” is a fancy way of saying, “be creative, but don’t blame us if it doesn’t work out.” So, the next time you hear someone spout off that phrase, nod and smile, knowing that it’s just a trendy buzzword with no real substance. And remember, constraints are your friend, not your enemy. So, make a box and work inside it; that’s where the magic happens.

In summary, “Think outside the box” is a catchphrase often used to encourage creativity, but it can be misleading and unclear. It implies that constraints limit creativity, but research has shown that constraints can enhance creativity. Additionally, thinking without constraints can lead to impractical ideas. It’s important to remember that this phrase is subjective, and the concept of a “box” can vary from person to person. Moreover, too many choices can lead to overload and negatively impact decision-making and creativity. So, the next time someone tells you to “think outside the box,” nod and smile, knowing that it’s just a trendy buzzword with no real substance.