🎙 Episode 23: Should You Think Inside or Outside the Box?

Exploring how creativity and structure work hand in hand.

🔸 In this episode, Wafa and Samar dive into a topic that challenged even them at first — the idea of thinking inside versus outside the box. We’ve all heard the phrase “think outside the box,” often used to encourage creativity, innovation, and new perspectives. But what if there’s also value in thinking inside the box?

🔸 Samar recalls how confused she felt when Wafa first shared the article topic. The idea seemed strange — what does it even mean to think inside the box? Over time, she began to see that it’s not about limiting yourself, but about optimizing what you already have. It’s the mindset of using available resources and improving existing systems before searching for new ones.

🔸 Wafa expands on this by emphasizing that we don’t live in an age that lacks ideas — we live in one that lacks execution. For her, thinking inside the box means focusing on doing the foundational things right. It’s about structure, clarity, and consistency — the kind of thinking that turns creativity into real results.

🔸 Samar brings in her HR studies to show how creativity and innovation are deeply connected to employee well-being. She argues that we need both: a solid structure (thinking inside the box) and the freedom to explore new approaches (thinking outside the box).

🔸 Together, they find that the real secret lies in balance. Wafa explains that thinking inside the box ensures standards are met, while thinking outside the box helps refine and simplify those standards. Samar relates it to her struggle with perfectionism and procrastination — how starting small with what she already knows helps her act, while seeking new ideas gives her inspiration to improve.

🔸 Wafa closes the episode with a story from work where she combined both mindsets — following established procedures but also thinking creatively to make the process more efficient. The conversation ends with a shared realization that the two approaches don’t compete — they complement each other.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Thinking inside the box is about structure, discipline, and execution.

• Thinking outside the box is about creativity, exploration, and innovation.

• Both can — and should — coexist.

• The goal is not to choose one, but to know when and how to use each.

📖 Read the full article: 23. Should You Think Inside or Outside the Box—Personal Context is Key: Overcoming Indecisiveness | LinkedIn

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