I was going back and forth, having a great conversation, with someone through e-mail recently about Thinking Outside of the Box. Yes, it’s a phrase that has been around the bend a few hundred thousand times, but like vintage corvettes – it’s still a beautiful ride.
Both of us were totally on board. Come on, if people had never thought outside of confining boundaries (whether self imposed or not), we wouldn’t have the luxuries we enjoy today. People who stay inside of expectations and never color outside of the lines (even for effect), aren’t the trail blazers, inventors, or lightning bolts of the world. They never give the world a fresh breath because they never take one themselves.
Our conversation even prompted me to begin writing an article on the subject. I filled my coffee cup and checked my e-mail one final time before I started writing. The story below came floating through the inbox on the wings of irony. I thought, “Hmm, nothing I could have written would have been better PR for Thinking Outside of the Box than this is, so…” You guessed it, my coffee cup and I decided to print the story. Enjoy!
The Right Answer
You are driving down the road in your Corvette on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus:
- An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
- An old friend who once saved your life.
- The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your Corvette? Think before you continue reading.
This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application. You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first. Or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.
YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS……. The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer. He simply answered: ‘I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.’ Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations. Never forget to ‘Think Outside of the Box.’
Make each moment count double,
~ Joi
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Wow, I was totally stumped on who to give a ride. That guy had the perfect answer. I never woulda thought of it haha. AWESOME post.
Steph, His answer blew mine out of the water. I figured I’d give the sickly older lady a ride first, have my friend put in some good words for me, get a bigger car, and go back for them.
I know, I know. Terrible plan!