The Art of Thinking Outside the Box (Part 1)

Some years ago, I saw a picture post on WhatsApp about a question in a Math test: Bob has 36 candy bars. He eats 29. What does he have now?

“Diabetes,” answered the pupil, “Bob has diabetes.”

Whereas the number of candy bars consumed is not as important as the dangerous effect that might result, if it is true, the child is likely to fail that question based on his or her teacher’s marking scheme.

Now, that’s the danger of the proverbial box – it has been damaging human thinking and crippling potentials since Adam and Eve ate the apple.

This phenomenon is very common in Africa where superstitions and taboos are imposed on our minds right from childhood and we are harshly rebuked for querying them when we attempt to engage our elders in a harmless discussion.

So, we grow up learning not to query anything and rather live like robots relying on existing instructions. This is one of the foremost reasons why most African states are underdeveloped.

The childhood conflict with our elders is carried into adulthood with our bosses at work and we end up sacrificing the progress of our institutions for compliance with our super-ordinates and, of course, our job security as we refuse to challenge the box set before us.

The box refers to our assumptions, myths, beliefs, ideologies and even rules and instructions that direct our thinking in familiar patterns. They make it easier for us to arrive at ‘safe’ conclusions and make quick decisions. Of course, this kind of ‘simplistic thinking’ is helpful.

For example, if you saw someone in a dark place advancing towards you with an object that looks like a knife, you don’t have to wait to ask or check what he is carrying; you safely conclude that the person might be dangerous and take steps to avert the danger.

Helpful as it is, simplistic thinking is also harmful – and even in a greater degree because of our over-reliance on it. Consider that in your childhood, the eldest was always assumed to be the leader. Now that you are an adult, if you find it difficult to submit to the leadership of a younger person who is much more knowledgeable and competent than you, the assumption that leadership is based on age has definitely set a limit on how far you can go!

As I round off on today’s episode, I want to draw your attention to something important about creative thinking. Have you ever considered how, as humans, we are able to survive with little? How challenges make life interesting and meaningful?

It is because our creative juice flows best when we are constrained. That was what Jesus wanted to achieve with His disciples when He asked them to feed five thousand people instead of sending them away – they needed to think outside the box!

Speaking the word to heal the Centurion’s (modern GSM), the fish spewing out money (modern ATM), and other miracles that Jesus performed were signs that God values creativity and innovation. When you are down to nothing, God is up to something. In fact, when Jesus instructed Simon to launch his net into the deep, Jesus taught him ‘Blue Ocean Strategy.’

Simon learnt that lesson well. That was why he could say to Jesus in one of the most fearful situations that the disciples encountered, “Master, if it is you, tell me to come.” And a few seconds later, he stepped out of the boat to walk on water with Jesus. He moved from the place of comfort and certainty to the place of mystery and possibilities!

Believe me, if you have been thinking ritually and religiously about life and business, you have been missing out on many opportunities and solutions. Next week, we will consider ways to break your thinking box and break through situations.

To your greatness,

Bright UK

The Chief Scribe