MY THURSDAY THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - You’ve heard it . . . and I’m sure you’ve said it – “You need to think outside the box.” When or why are you supposed to think outside the box? When something isn’t working, you are not getting the results you need, or you have lost control of a process?  Yes, and there are more reasons to experiment with new ideas, approaches, and concepts, but my point in this brief note is that there is an inherent problem with thinking outside the box and that is when you do - by trying something new, different or better - if, in the end, what’s outside the box doesn’t work or solve the problem - what do you think most people’s tendency is to do next?  You guessed it - to jump back into the original comfortable box they have been in even though what’s in that box - isn’t working which ultimately triggered the need to jump into a new box. I’m not suggesting that you should always try different or new stuff or settle for the status quo – what I’m saying is that what you may need to consider is “Throwing the box away.” When change is necessary if you give yourself the opportunity to retreat into what has been in the past when something new you try doesn’t work - what do you think your chances are of creative new solutions in the future?  Try letting go of the ability to jump into the safety net of what has worked in the past or may not be working today and embrace what can or might be the future – in 2020 – it’s a blank slate and who knows – amazing outcomes could be waiting so - Throw the box away!