Break free from old thinking
Thinking in New Boxes: A New Way to Think in a Changing World
by Luc de Brabandere and Alan Iny
Business
TL;DR
This book is all about smashing your old mental models and building fresh perspectives to tackle problems. It teaches you how to identify your current 'boxes' (aka assumptions), challenge their validity, and then construct entirely new frameworks for innovation. You'll learn to question the unquestionable, reframe problems, and actively seek out different viewpoints to unlock creative solutions, rather than just tweaking the same old crap. It's a step-by-step guide to mental renovation for when your brain feels like a cluttered attic.
Action Items
Pick one problem you're facing. Write down all the assumptions you have about it. Seriously, every single one. That's your box.
Take one assumption from your 'box' list. For 5 minutes, argue against it as if your life depends on it. Find reasons why it might be totally wrong or irrelevant now.
After challenging an old assumption, brainstorm 3-5 completely different ways to approach the problem it was tied to. Don't filter, just generate wild ideas.
Pick one small, low-stakes action you can take today that aligns with one of your new mental frameworks. Just one step, no matter how tiny.
Identify one area in your life where you feel 'settled.' Ask yourself: 'What's one thing I believe about this that might be totally wrong in 5 years?'
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Key Chapter
Chapter - Your Brain's Old Cardboard Boxes
Ever feel like you're stuck on repeat, trying the same thing and expecting different results? This chapter hits hard on how we all live inside these invisible 'boxes' – basically, our ingrained assumptions and mental shortcuts. It's like your brain's default settings, and often, they're outdated AF. The real kicker is realizing these boxes aren't just there, they're chosen. We choose to operate within them, even when they're clearly not working. The key insight? You gotta recognize your current box before you can even think about building a new one. It's about self-awareness of your mental prison and understanding that your current reality is just one of many possible realities. Once you see the box, you can start to dismantle it, or at least peek over the edge.
Key Methods and Approaches
Your Brain's Default Settings Check
(AKA: The Box)
Description:
Figure out what mental 'box' you're currently stuck in. It's your default way of seeing things.
Explanation:
Imagine your brain is a cheap smartphone. It comes with pre-installed apps and settings you never bothered to change. That's your box. It's convenient, but often outdated and buggy. This method is about opening up those settings and seeing what's actually running in the background, dictating your moves.
Examples:
Thinking 'I can only get a job in my major' when there are a million other paths.
Believing 'dating apps are the only way to meet people' and ignoring real-world interactions.
Assuming 'I need a degree to be successful' when many entrepreneurs prove otherwise.
Today's Action:
Pick one problem you're facing. Write down all the assumptions you have about it. Seriously, every single one. That's your box.
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