The Tyranny of Out of the Box

I'm a sucker for the next big idea. I admit it.

I crave the edge. I hate status quo.

I've seen this work for good. In our journey to discover what God is up to in Columbia and to join Him in that work, it has been good. We had to leave behind a lifestyle and a ministry style that was quite comfortable and embrace an entirely new posture.

But, this passion can also work against me.

When I constantly chase the out of the box idea, I feel like I am running 1000 miles per hour with my feet one inch off the ground. Lots of great thoughts, ideas, conversations, but no real progress.

What if, by defining or accepting a box, my ability to innovate, create, and see forward movement increased?

After a few months living in Columbia, we had met interested people that live all over Metro Columbia and discovered needs and opportunities all over the city. The problem was prioritizing and focusing...I simply couldn't.

God clearly showed me that our initial box is in Northeast Columbia - it's where Lara Beth and I grew up, it's where we have the most street cred, it's where our best relationships are, it's where we know needs and opportunities and have the connections to do something about it. I can ignore it or accept it. To ignore it is to accept little or no progress and tons of big ideas. To accept it is to put the rubber on the road and get something done...with the big ideas all still attainable.

Out of the box thinking is great until it paralyzes you. When you feel paralysis setting in, look for a box and accept it. Once you accept your box, leverage, innovate, and create within it like crazy.

Comments

[Bryan Plyler]

Dead on...everything that grows out of the box usually has to start in one. We have to know who God is, who we are, and what niche he's given us to be effective in and from.

[Dustin Willis]

Great Stuff...I cannot wait to see the difference that is made in Northeast over next little while...and over all in this great city. It's gonna be good!

[Jesse Phillips]

Jay, MAN, I appreciate that idea so much.

I'm always spinning my mind and getting nothing done. You make a great point that big idea guys need to submit to a box in order to actually use all the ideas they spend their time coming up with.

Excited to see what you guys end-up doing!

[Greg]

Did we just have this conversation? Or are we learning the exact same stuff? I've had so many conversations about "focus" over the past few weeks, its crazy. Focus allows for traction, which is what leads to accomplishment, which leads to influence.
great thoughts my friend.

[josh roberts]

Wow! this hit me hard. you are dead on - it seems like i spend a lot of time gathering ideas, thoughts and plans and then become to overwhelmed to follow through with any of them. Thanks for the post, Jay.

[blake]

i definitely get what you are saying. it is refreshing to hear this from people though.

random realization that i realized a while back... you are married to lara beth and i am married to a laura beth. neat.