IS THE “BOX” IN WHICH YOU LIVE A PRISON, A PLATFORM OR A STARTING POINT?

Many people reference “thinking outside of the box” or “being confined within the box” when describing how an individual acts and reacts to issues, situations or their environment.  Some might even reference being “boxed in” or “boxed out” when it comes to relationships with others – particularly if the relationship is particularly strong or possibly “going south.”  We often use euphemisms as we attempt to describe situations, feelings or what guides our thoughts and actions as we live each day but is being in or outside of a box necessarily good, bad or perhaps a little of both?

Those whom approach things from a “known, tried and tested” perspective are usually considered to be “inside the box” thinkers.  There is nothing innately wrong with thinking inside of the box but those that operate comfortably within their boxes are usually able to function, perform and produce ONLY with what they have at their fingertips – within the scope of past experiences – and often operate within the confined walls of their own or other’s expectations.  They are dependable and competent “doers” but (and what comes after the “but” is important) they rarely discover things that “could be” because they are narrowly focused upon “what is.”  When what is accessible – what has been included with them inside of their box – is enough to make them happy, fulfilled and content then living inside of the box can be a good thing.  Unfortunately, most individuals tire of doing the same thing over and over – especially if it entails the same processes, leverages the same tools or resources and provides the same outcomes – as it tends to become more of a familiar routine than a revealing adventure.  Thinking inside of the box may be good for someone wishing to minimize their challenges (as well as their opportunities), accomplish the wishes of others (rather than fulfilling their own dreams) and preferring to stay below the radar (possibly even closing the box to hide from the world’s attention) BUT most would prefer to gain more from their efforts and contribute more through the actions they take and the choices they make.  Inside the box is sheltered, safe and provides a “tried and true” existence presenting few opportunities to fail but such an existence provides limited chances to discover anything new. 

Some might say they want to be outside of the box with their thinking – that standing upon the top of the box would allow them to operate without containment, restrictions or expectations – but they find unless they have committed to operating alone without robust interactions with others they become isolated and stranded upon their island.  Someone taking pride from standing upon their box – their mountain top – can become an individual trapped within their lofty position, able to see the world but unable to interact with it...capable of envisioning where they might wish to be but incapable of reaching beyond the precarious perch upon which they have firmly planted their feet and taken up residence.  Standing on your box allows you to view but not to share...to see but not to embrace the things around you as you seek to be seen and yearn to be recognized.  Recognizing and identifying your potential is a good start but in order to act – to make a difference – one must become engaged within the opportunities presented and available.  If all we do is stand above where we were – gazing upon the potential around us without ever acting or engaging – much could be imagined but very little would be accomplished.  In order to make a difference we must not only get outside of our boxes, we must utilize the tools at our disposal – test our boundaries – as we initiate change by stepping outside of the boundaries of our imaginary box.

When we step down from our soapbox, committing to action rather than relying upon the eloquence of our lessons and lectures, a new world of opportunity awaits us.  What was once outside of our reach becomes available to us.  What was but a thought or dream can become reality.  We can hold new tools in our hands, identify undiscovered places in which we could wander and formulate different applications for commonly accepted practices when we watch from within our box.  We can stand upon the box to see what could be accomplished and where we might be able to go IF ONLY we were to risk stepping down from our lofty perch. Those willing to live outside of their boxes (to truly live and explore the world as it could be rather than as it is) must immerse themselves in a reality that was no more than an improbable vision when they stood within the security of the box they once called home.  They must be unafraid to risk failure (and accept the certainty of learning from it) if they wish to step down from the precarious perch upon the top of their box as they venture out into a world of possibilities (rather than living comfortably within a world of probabilities).  The difference we are able to make will always be limited by the box in which we allow ourselves to be captive.  Our potential is restricted unless we are able (or willing) to leverage the resources we might be able to access OUTSIDE of the box to resolve potentially unknown circumstances that can be addressed only if we initiate change to accomplish planned or anticipated results. 

In order to lead (OR establish/maintain a meaningful relationship) we must acknowledge the limitations our “boxes” put upon us and consciously choose to climb out of our confined surroundings AND step down from the feelings of omnipotence that standing upon our platform might evoke.  We must become engaged within our surroundings – utilizing new and untested options that might suddenly (and mysteriously) become available to us outside of our standard and comfortable mindset. When we truly “think and play” outside of the box, our achievements will not be contained and our influence cannot be restricted.  We will become unique (and innovative) enough to be recognized as leaders (or co-equal contributors within a solid and significant relationship) when the actions we take and the results we achieve are built upon personal credibility and demonstrated strength of character rather than based on the volume and tone of our words.  Personal success and relational excellence can ONLY be built upon a foundation of recognizing and acknowledging our self-imposed limitations, a framework of intentional action to remove the boundaries our limitations present and a structure of purposefully exploring and expanding the new horizons revealed when we chose to abandon our comfort zone and get (and truly live) outside of our box.

DARING TO LIVE OUT OUR DREAMS

We share much with others as we live life.  We share the things we do, the air we breathe and the places we visit.  We share our accomplishments (whether they bring us success or result in failure).  We share relationships and possessions.  We share our thoughts when we converse.  We share our families, our friends and our acquaintances.  We share (or should share) what we think, how we feel and what we hope to be within our relationships.  Sharing our workload and the results of our efforts has become the norm in business.  Working as teams to share tasks that magnify our individual contributions by blending them with the unique gifts others are given to accomplish collectively much more than could have been completed on our own has become the mantra of workplace efficiency.  With such an emphasis on sharing, however, what is truly “our own” in this life shared with others through common ground, shared existence and team-based accomplishments?  Perhaps we need to look no farther than our hopes and dreams – our aspirations...goals and wishes...to realize what makes us uniquely and individually different from those with whom we share so much of ourselves.

Dreams are thoughts not yet realized – aspirations not yet brought to fruition...the basis of our goals and the foundation of our good intentions.  We can live life without dreams but cannot embrace its full potential – become all that we can hope to be or realize all that we might wish to accomplish – without first thinking about what we want to become or what we desire to do within the lifetimes.  Those that perform to the standards and expectations of others often become great contributors as they add value to society.  Those that allow themselves time to identify their own aspirations within the safety of their dreams AND work towards bringing those thoughts to fruition WHILE benefiting the greater good by performing their daily and expected tasks will not only add value to society but also open new horizons and discover new paths that can serve as stepping stones to a new and unrestrained future.  To dream, however, we must be willing to move from the safety of our “present” into the unknown opportunities of a “future” that have yet to be fully realized.

Dreams are not the “substance” of life – they are the icing on life’s cake.  They are not the “why?” people often seek when confronted with an unknown or unanticipated situation – they are the “why not?” people accept as they roll with the punches life throws at them while moving continuously forward.  When we risk more than others think is wise expecting to accomplish more than others think possible it is often because we allow ourselves to dream more deeply than others might think practical.   It is only then that we might realize our hopes and aspirations are more important than walking lockstep within the expectations of others.

While we share much in life with others, we rarely share more than the things we are able to easily do or accomplish.  We are hesitant to share our fears – or to open ourselves to the possibility of failure in the eyes of those we work with, talk to or confide in.  If we were to share our dreams with others – to both seek their assistance in accomplishing them AND to hold us accountable in bringing them to fruition – imagine how much we might expect to realize.  When we settle for those things, thoughts and actions that come to us easily we become “adequately mediocre.”  Seek to achieve excellence...to attain personal satisfaction...by dreaming of all you could wish to be so that you might establish the ultimate target – the final reward available to you only when striving to achieve all you could wish to accomplish.  Rather than living the life that others might establish for you, generate a new normal by living your dreams – by risking more than others might think wise – so that you will be able to accomplish more than others might think possible while becoming all that you were meant to be.