The Inside the Box Test by Alanah

The Inside the Box Test by Alanah - October 2018 Scholarship Essay

Generally, when I am asked to think “outside the box,” my train of thought goes flat. The challenge with thinking “outside the box” is discovering a solution unheard of before. My thought process goes blank, because the “outside the box” idea should have never yet crossed my mind in the past. As soon as I hear those three words I scramble to recall every standout, creative concept I have come across in the past. Instantly the Snuggie ad replays in my head. Who would've ever thought of wearing a blanket as a dress? Although, no matter how many unique products I can recall, none help me come up with a solution, because I am too focused on others’ ideas, when I should be trying to come up with my own.
An “outside the box” approach does not necessarily have to be the most artistic approach, it may even be the simplest approach. What makes it “outside the box” is the fact it is unheard of.
When I finally come up with an idea, I check if it is truly “outside the box.” I do this by using my “In the Box Test”. This means asking myself, “Is this idea sold in a box? Can I log in to my Amazon Prime Account and purchase this tool, and it will be shipped to my house between 1-3 businesses days?” If the answer is yes, then the idea is not “outside the box.” For example, imagine someone tells me they are too cold when reading a book in bed, because holding their book requires their arms to be outside the blanket. Then, they ask me for an “outside the box” solution. Responding with, “a Snuggie can solve your issue,” does not pass the in the box test; therefore, the idea is not “outside the box.”
One way I have thought “outside the box” in the past, is when I needed to package my Nana’s birthday present. I had no tissue paper, bags, boxes, or wrapping paper in my house, but the party was in 30 minutes. I decided to grab and old shoe box, my mom's Paradise Vacation magazines, scissors, and tape. I cut out the scenery pages in the magazine and covered the shoebox with the images. In the end, it looked like I used Beach- themed wrapping paper. There is no place online I can purchase a shoebox wrapped in magazine pages; therefore, it passes the “Inside a Box Test,” making it officially and “Outside the Box” idea.
The best part about thinking “outside the box,” is instead of conquering a problem by using someone else's idea, you conquer a problem by using a solution you came up with yourself. This makes the rewarding feeling of accomplishment at the end 100 times more great.