Thinking outside the box

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Permalink Reply by Dreamland Incense on August 20, 2007 at 9:16am

I wouldn't say thinking outside the box, per se. What I find most helpful is focusing on something else because this seems to let my mind wander on in its own fashion without me consciously trying to make it think creatively. I'll have AH-HA! moments when I'm cooking dinner, taking a shower, playing with my cat, etc.

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Permalink Reply by edendream on August 20, 2007 at 7:14pm

Exactly right, Dreamland! I love it when this happens - unfortunately, it happens also when I'm driving...and I feel happy if I can capture the concept again...when I"m not driving. : )

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Riley Duckworth on August 20, 2007 at 10:04am

Geeez! This must be the concept for the day. This is the second time this morning I've come across the concept of 'thinking outside the box'. This morning I was reading a script sent to my son for an upcoming movie, and one of the first scenes was a kid trying to figure out a puzzle, saying to himself, 'think outside the box'.
Personally, I wish I was more adept at thinking outside the box - I struggle with that. Try as I might, it just seems to be something I can't force. For others I know, it comes naturally. I can take an item and twist and turn it, flip it over and just not see the potential...then someone will say, 'what if you....blah, blah, blah', and only then will I see the vision.
I don't have too many 'A-HA' moments - it's more subtle for me - I just go with what feels natural to me - it's usually later someone else will point out that it was an ingenious idea - where did I come up with it? Who knows, it just came out.
I will agree with Dreamland, tho, in that sometimes my creative block becomes un-stuck when I take a break from 'forcing' the creativity, and do something else.

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Permalink Reply by Silly Boodilly on August 20, 2007 at 6:51pm

I believe that thinking outside the box is learning to think without pre-conceived notions of how things "should" be. Letting go of the belief that their is a right way and a wrong way of doing things. And yes, for me, I do believe that it aids in creativity.

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Permalink Reply by Fabletoo on August 20, 2007 at 7:59pm

I think you have to think outside the box or you end up producing stuff that other people are doing too!

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on August 20, 2007 at 9:44pm

I am also one of those people that have a hard time seeing the potential of a particular item. I do tend to hang on to things thinking, well, something can be done with it. ;)

I have found that the more I create and allow myself to be open to other things then I find myself a step away from the box.... if that makes any sense.

My ah-ha moments come at the most inopportune times as well. I wish I could just bottle them up and stick them away until I have a moment to deal with them. haha

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Permalink Reply by mansha on August 22, 2007 at 2:11am

....Interesting point of view ....everyone ..thanks !

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Higgins on August 22, 2007 at 2:59pm

I have my AH-HA moments when I am not even thinking about what I suppose to be thinking about. My inspiration can come from most anything. I get inspired alot when I am driving, that could be dangerous I think. When I am driving know one else is bothering me, I have 2 children and a Husband. So happy thinking

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Permalink Reply by SusanThornton on August 22, 2007 at 9:19pm

I think coming at something from a different perspective is a great way to think. I can give you and example, about 10 years ago when I was just setting up my jewelry studio and didn't have too many tools to help me in my creative efforts, I wanted to make a bangle bracelet. I didn't have anything to true the round bangle with. I sat there and looked around and then I thought, well, why does it have to be round anyway? I figured it didn't and I still make those bracelet and love them. I know that is a small thing but … sometimes that is just how it works. I think those little moments are just joyful.

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Permalink Reply by mansha on August 23, 2007 at 12:39am

Ur perhaps correct Susan ..one does think differently when we c stuck in a situation .
I'm Waiting for my A-HA moment i guess

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Permalink Reply by casey on August 23, 2007 at 6:07am

I like to think of it as "pushing the envelope", because when I view something in terms of "thinking outside the box", I feel too pressured to come up with something that is earth shattering. I over think, over stress and sabotage myself. lol. So in a sense, I'm always subconsciously trying to push the boundaries of my comfort zone, and try and subtly take in new ideas and let them cultivate. I think it was Kelly who said that she doesn't really have those big "AH HA!" moments, but rather they come quietly when she just follows her gut instinct. I pretty much work the same way; if something doesn't "feel" right, I nix the idea! lol. Some of my best, most successful art pieces have been when I went with my feelings! Because isn't that the basis for a lot of creative urges/ideas: emotions and feelings?

Great discussion; I enjoyed reading everyone's responses!! :)

Cheers!
- Casey

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