Think outside your own box
“Thinking outside the box” is still the top business jargon nonsense phrase. It’s so over-used that it’s almost impossible to wring any insight out of it.
So try this, instead. Think outside your own box.
A post by Frank Roche at KnowHR got me thinking about that. Here’s how his post begins.
“Here’s my interview question of the day: If you’re soaking wet, when you get on the train, do you:
a) Shake off like a Labrador Retriever on everyone near you, then set your wet bag and umbrella down on the dry seat next to you?
b) Take off your coat before you sit down, fold it inside out, and put your wet bag and umbrella on the ground?”
In the compressed society of a commuter train, you should think outside your own box and consider how what you do will affect the people around you. In the world of your life and career, you should do the same.
How does what you do affect your co-workers? Do you brighten their lives by showing up or by calling in sick?
How does what you do affect your boss? Part of your job is to help your boss succeed and look good.
How does what you do affect your loved ones? They’ll often give you a pass when you choose a bit of extra work over them. But they won’t do that forever.
How does what you do affect that recruiter? He or she has to make a quick judgment about whether you’re worth considering. What are you doing to pique their interest or demonstrate your value?
You can’t control what people think about you or how they react to you. But you can use what you do and what you say to influence them. Thinking outside your box gives you the option to make choices that help you succeed.