Thinking outside of the box, probably lead me to my career in aviation. I remember so vividly, as a child, wanting to make paper airplanes. Of course, that lead to wanting to have the “best” paper airplane, and having it fly faster, and farther than any others.
One day, we decided to have a contest, to see who could fold, and fly the best plane. I thought about design, the fundamentals of flying, aerodynamics, and “why things fly”. I really wanted to win. Having a GIRL win, would just be wonderful. Especially since I was the only girl to enter the contest! It would be important to have a good showing.
What kind of airplane would I make? Should it have a super sharp point for the nose, to enable it to slice through the air, with little resistance? Should it carry more weight on the back, so it could maintain altitude for as long as possible? It must be designed, to make sure it did not stall out, from lack of airspeed. That much I understood. If the nose comes up, the plane will stall out, and nose dive to the ground.
I was struggling with the answer, and as the deadline approached, I still had not made my plane. As I started thinking “anything will be better than nothing” … the answer came to me, so clearly. As we all stood on the starting line, ready to throw our planes into the air, I simply crumpled my piece of paper into a tight ball, and threw it will all my “baseball” might! Of course, it landed 50 feet past my best competitor! I was beside myself with joy, having a girl win. The best thing, was the reaction of the other competitors, and observers. Perhaps that day changed reality for some of them. They discovered, along with me…that it can be good to “THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX!”
To Your Success…
Judy
18. June 2010 at 3:39 am
Robin and Judy,
Thanks for sharing an example of thinking outside of the box. We here so often as buzzwords but very rarely see it.
Congratulations on winning! =)
This really helps in negotiation. Instead of deciding how to split up the pie. Expand the pie so there’s more for everyone.
To Your Genius,
Eiji
Eiji Morishita´s last [type] ..Genius Squared May Update
18. June 2010 at 11:18 am
Thanks Eiji for your wonderful comment. By the way…we love your signature line “To Your Genius” What a terrific way to end your messages!
To your success always…
Judy and Robin
18. June 2010 at 10:36 am
Pretty entertaining point that you make. Sometimes it is hard to do, but sometimes we can accomplish alot when thinking outside the box.
18. June 2010 at 11:21 am
Thanks Barry…
Yes, you are so right…we can accomplish so much, when changing our “view” point, but it can be difficult. Sometimes hard, but always worth the effort…don’t you think? Thanks for your comments!
To your success always…
Judy and Robin
18. June 2010 at 12:15 pm
That is great Judy, I love that you did that. so true so many people today do not think outside the box. But boy is is beautiful and bright when you do. There are so many possibilities and opportunities out there they we so often miss when we do not keep ourselves open and watching. Have a great weekend.
Julie Elliott´s last [type] ..The Power of what you think and journaling
18. June 2010 at 1:46 pm
Thanks Julie…what nice comments from you! Someday, someone will totally figure out why we are all so stuck in our “box” of thinking, but until then, we can lead the charge, and let people know it is OK to think outside the box!
You have a great weekend too! Am on my way right now, to check out your blog!
To your success always….
Judy
18. June 2010 at 3:07 pm
Wow!! Now that is thinking outside the box. What’s so cool is that now you got me thinking how I could’ve gotten it further than that.
Kinda like everytime humanity says, “This is the best we’ll do..” someone thinks outside the box, then the best becomes the minimum requirement…
Paul Klaszus´s last [type] ..Vision vs Goals vs Action
18. June 2010 at 5:57 pm
Hi Paul…
Yes indeed…now you have me thinking ” I could have picked up a pebble, and put that into my airplane ball of paper, and the weight would have carried it much farther!” Now why on earth did I not think of that? Our best will always be up to grabs for someone to do better. Thank heavens, so we can continue to learn and be the best we can be!
By the way, I am really enjoying your daily email newsletter posts!
To your success always….
Judy
18. June 2010 at 4:10 pm
I loved your story Judy. It made me laugh out loud! Leave it to a girl to think of something that none of the other boys even remotely considered attempting.
Sometimes I catch myself trying to think like other people. “If it worked for them, it’ll work for me!” I want something so much better than average though, something that will leave a legacy behind when I’m no longer around. And I think with reminders like the one you’ve just shared, it won’t be hard for me and every other person who desires the same to strive towards greatness no matter what.
Mandee
Mandee Widrick´s last [type] ..Cold Calling: The Phone is Your Friend
18. June 2010 at 6:00 pm
Hi Mandee…
Glad you enjoyed it! I am so proud of your desire to be so much better than average. Your legacy will indeed be amazing, with that kind of goal. Here’s to all of us, expanding the possible in ALL of us!
To your success always,
Judy
18. June 2010 at 6:01 pm
By the way Mandee…LOVE your picture. Do you show your horses? I used to, but have not for years. Also used to do endurance trail riding. Miss my horses so much, but still have my saddle, just in case! LOL
Judy
19. June 2010 at 8:26 pm
Realy liked this post. It definitely was “thinking outside the box”, that’s for sure!
Just Me Saying´s last [type] ..Godley Football Wildcats Get New Diggs!
20. June 2010 at 2:37 pm
Just me saying….you have a VERY interesting about me page. I, for one, really liked it! But, without a name to be found anywhere, I will simply say Thanks so much for your comment, and I look forward to more of “Just me saying”…
To your success always,
Judy
21. June 2010 at 8:16 am
I remember when I was in college I had to do a presentation in front of the class about an artists. Everyone was choosing famous artists. I didn’t want to do that. So on the day my presentation was due, I brought my own artwork into the class! No one expected that, neither did the instructor. He never specified what he wanted. Well, I ended up getting an A in the course. It taught me it was okay to take risks and sometime when you do they turn out to be the best… thinking outside the box!
Lesly´s last [type] ..Are You Brainwshing Yourself?
21. June 2010 at 10:21 am
Hi Lesly…
BRAVO for your “out of the box” thinking! And, it was especially good, that your instructor recognized that as well. Even if people don’t understand the risk you take, someone will, and you will, so in my mind…that is enough. Go for it Lesly, forever!
To your success always,
Judy
22. June 2010 at 8:51 pm
Judy,
What a great story. You showed them! And you have probably been showing them the rest of your life. it is so refreshing to think outside the box. I am so happy when an inspiration comes and I am able to do that.
Dr. Erica Goodstone´s last [type] ..When Love is Not Enough
23. June 2010 at 12:09 pm
Thanks Dr. Goodstone… I am not sure that I have been showing them all my life, but I have learned some things along the way, to enjoy life and inspiration. New ideas and thinking outside of the box, can be very enlightening, and SOMETIMES they even work out! LOL
Looking forward to your posts.
To your success, always….
Judy