You’ve heard the statement, “Think outside the box.”

What is “the box”?

• The box is our current assumption.
• The box is our current perspective.
• The box is our current belief system.

A simple yet powerful story that always inspires.

Imagine an empty glass.

• It’s YOU.

Start pouring water into it.

• The water is knowledge.

Once full, the glass will start overflowing.

• So how can we continue to learn more?
• How can we still acquire new knowledge?

Answer:

• Take out some water.
• And then fill it with fresh water.

Thinking Out of the Box Needs a Strong Tool

To challenge the current assumptions, belief systems, and perspectives, we all need first to see them.

Our parents, upbringing, school, friends, teachers, college, workplace, colleagues, relatives, books, and social media — all are responsible for shaping the current belief system.

Is this belief system or ‘box’ wrong?

No.

But do you know how does this box look like?

No.

And that’s why it’s important to first look at them.

Once you build this perspective of seeing them as it, you can move on to the next step, i.e., pushing yourself away from the beliefs that are no longer valid and then forming new ones (i.e., adding new water to the glass)

Writing journals is one of the most appropriate tools to see the box.

• My journals allow me to question.
• My journals allow me to find the answers.
• My journals challenge me.
• My journals give me comfort.
• My journals show me the uncomfortable truth about me.
• My journals are a mirror, and I can’t hide there.
• My journals are honest.
• My journals are humble.

Journals are a tool where I see myself as it is.

A few things I like and a few I don’t.

My journals push me to stand away from my current version and witness the ‘box’ from a unique perspective.

Once my journals take me to this stage, I take the plunge.

I jump out of the box and find new perspectives.

• Keep moving. Keep challenging your perspectives. There is nothing ‘permanent’ about our belief systems.
• Keep jumping in and out of the box. It’s fun. It’s interesting.

Journal Writing is a Super Power to Enjoy the ‘Out of the Box’ View

Writing journals is my silent superpower.

Journal writing has allowed me to understand there is no point in ‘controlling’ or ‘managing’ our minds.

Our minds are an entity that is much brighter, smarter, more intelligent, sacred, and brilliant than we can ever imagine. And, hence to even think that we can ‘control’ our minds is a non-starter.

Also, why control something which is trying to help you every day?

It’s important to forge a partnership and a friendship with your mind rather than trying to control or be controlled by it.

And, as happens in all relationships, listening is the key here.

Listen to your mind. Let your mind speak. Your job should be to listen and listen intently.

Thinking out of the box is not difficult. The problem is building too much dependency on our minds to offer everything.

Your mind sometimes needs a helping hand to find the solutions you need. Once you open the conversation box, the out-of-the-box thinking opens up automatically.

• A journal is a place where stupid ideas get their deserving place.
• A journal is a place where confusions and apprehensions find an ear.
• A journal is a place where fear meets its friends.
• A journal is a place where YOU meet YOU.
• A journal is a place where no one judges anyone.

And that’s why it becomes easy for your mind to share ‘out of the box’ ideas.

And when this channel opens up, please ensure that you keep these ideas from flying away. Catch them with both hands. Don’t judge them. Every idea your mind shares, and the journal has a place in your life.

Give it enough time with you, and it will find the right home.

Closing Thoughts

Journal writing has helped me build a partnership with my mind. Now, I firmly believe that if I give my mind enough space to express itself, it’s one thing that can generate wonderful ideas and help me accomplish them.

Journal writing has helped me become calmer, more focused, disciplined, and more productive. Because whenever in doubt, I share my apprehensions with my journal; it acts as an exit from that confusion. This gives rise to a positive space in my head, which my mind fills up with probable alternate solutions, ideas, and actions.

Journal writing is a simple, effective, and supremely powerful habit of building self-awareness.

When I know ME, I know the World.

• Hence, I write.
• Hence I write journals.
• Hence, I speak to SELF.
• Hence, I allow this SELF version to press itself on the paper and build a conversation.

Journal writing is a connection.

• I and SELF are different.
• I and my MIND are different.

Journal writing helps me to build effective communication between these different selves.

And that’s why this one simple habit has the power to change our lives.

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Nishith is an author and creator of a unique self-development platform — “Be Better Bit-By-Bit.” Grab a copy of his books — Be Better Bit-By-Bit and My Daily 5-Minute Gratitude Journal.

Listen to his podcasts Be Better Bit-By-Bit and 10 Bullets — 100 Words Book Summary.