What Box?^®

When you think about out-of-the-box people, who do you think of? Richard Branson, Picasso, Salvador Dali, Chuck Barris, Frida Khalo, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington or, possibly Paul Revere.

People who think out-of-the-box see and open new possibilities. In many cases these are the leaders who challenge us and inspire us to think differently and rise up into action. It is hard to think of a more out-of-the-box bunch than America’s founding fathers. Let’s face it. They had to be to think they could take on England, the most powerful nation on earth in 1776. In our founding fathers’ day their out-of-the-box thinking revolved around a nation based upon liberty, justice, free speech, all men are created equal, the separation of church and state, the right to participate in the religion of your choice, the right to bear arms, and the ability to participate in deciding who represents you in our government. The idea of voting for who you want representing you is quite possibly one of our founding fathers greatest legacies.

Benjamin Franklin is one of the greatest examples of an out-of-the-box thinker I can think of. As an entrepreneur, author, inventor, publisher, philosopher, Casanova, and diplomat, Franklin was able to enroll France to support the founding fathers with much needed money and resources. This was no small task as no country wanted to get embroiled in the controversy of supporting an unrecognized band of out-of-the-box thinkers, fighting England, in an unchartered far away place.

Thomas Jefferson acted as architect of one of the most important vision and mission documents in the history of man, the Declaration of Independence.

George Washington risked it all to fight for freedom and liberty and then stepped up to the plate to become our newly born nation’s first President.

Their out-of-the-box thinking and risk taking has inspired and moved our nation for over 232 years. And much like England during the time of America’s birth, we became the most powerful nation on earth.

“I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.” Thomas Jefferson

I wonder what Ben Franklin would have to say about where we find our great nation at this point in history?

“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” Benjamin Franklin

As we look out over the landscape of our world today, we find ourselves at a crossroads in history. America has an opportunity to lead the world and show what is possible by uniting and leading by example. America is not its President, its Senators, its Congressmen, or its special interest groups. America is its citizens. We the people are able to choose who we want representing us by going out and voting.

How can we regain the “out-of-the-box” thinking that inspired the birth of our nation? Now more than ever we need to reach down deep and pull out the best we can be to take on the challenges of today and tomorrow. Why is it that we need to be hit by lightening bolts to wake up and face reality? Then after being awakened, over time, we have a tendency to get complacent, forget, and go back to our old patterns of living.

We cannot afford to fall back into our old patterns. We need to support new thinking from both our major political parties and all of the candidates. We can support new thinking by understanding the issues, where our candidates stand, and letting our voices be heard by voting.

“For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.” Benjamin Franklin

You have the power to influence the next chapter of our great country and the world by voting for the best candidate to represent all of us. It is critical that we understand all of the candidates’ merits, faults, strengths, weaknesses, and vision for our future. This understanding will enable you to make the best possible decision when you go to the polls to vote.

As part of Ben Franklin’s legacy he has left us a powerful tool to support our ability to make informed decisions, the Pro-Con Chart, a thinking and decision making tool that is as viable today as it was when he was using it over 200 years ago. In fact, this is the same exercise Kristen and I used when we were making our big decision to move, or not to move, to Grand Lake way back when. Ben liked to use a Pro-Con Chart when the decisions he had to make were some of the most important he was about to make.

Here is how it works. At the top of a piece of paper put the candidates name centered on 1/2 the page then draw a line under each name. From the center of the paper draw a line down just under the name so you have two equal spaces to your left and right. At the top of the left under the name and line put the word Pro. On the right side under the name and line put the word Con. Then write down all the Pro and Con concepts you can come up with on why you would vote or not vote for this candidate. Next to each Pro and Con concept place a number from 1 –10, “10” being the most important and “1” being the least. Take your time and be realistic about your number rating. After attaching a number to each concept, add up the numbers on each side and total. These thoughts and figures will help you better understand your deeper thinking.

Put your candidate and their opponent to the Ben Franklin Pro-Con test! See if you are making the best choice you can be making.

I think that Ben would be proud. See you at the polling booths on November 4^th.

Let me know what you think.

Until next week, remember that the only boxes that exist are the ones you create for yourself.