I'm sure you've heard the phrase "Think outside
the box".
The concept of "thinking outside of the box" has
become a cliché used to describe innovation and
creative thinking. If you do a Google search for
the phrase "think outside the box" you'll find that
it is used in many different circles, including:
business planning, management consulting,
information technology, automobile sales, and
self-help to name but a few. Offhand, I can't think
of ANY area that couldn't benefit from an increase
in innovation and creative thinking.
But I think we are all missing a crucial step. I
believe that we need to start by thinking ABOUT the
box. Only then can we truly think outside the box.
Let me explain: When I say think ABOUT the box,
I'm talking about the box that will one day hold the
remains of our physical bodies. In other words - I
want you to think about your own mortality.
Once you have acknowledged, accepted and embraced
your own mortality, I guarantee that you will have
no problem coming up with creative ideas and new
innovations. Embracing your mortality frees you
from the twin terrors of Fear and Regret because it
allows you to live your life in the present
moment.
Trying to be innovative while stuck in the past
(complete with feelings of regret or guilt) is
nearly impossible. Likewise, how can you be
creative if you are living in the future? There are
so many unknown variables when it comes to the
future that planning can often become clouded with
fears and doubts.
The
Power of Mortality is all about accessing the
essence of THIS MOMENT. When you are living in this
moment, you can easily be filled with creativity
because you aren't trying to control what will
happen in some imagined future. Similarly,
innovation is child's-play when you are living in
this moment, because you are not weighed down by
past mistakes or trying to outshine past
accomplishments.
To often, the decisions we make in our businesses
and our personal lives are based on unimportant
priorities. The Power of Mortality allows you to
get crystal clear about what really matters and to make better decisions. As I always
say: "You might be able to live with the decisions
you are making today - but ask yourself: can you DIE
with them?"
So by all means - let's think outside the box.
But first - let's spend some time thinking ABOUT
the box.
(To get started, you can read The
Mortality Manifesto.)
ENJOY NOW!
