How to think outside the box

Being open to dissenting（持异议的）opinions is not the only way to think outside the box. 【小题1】

A break in our everyday life may provide the force needed to shift the direction of our thinking.   So we can change environments. 【小题2】 ，for example, reorganizing our desk or taking a new route to work.   However, for others , bigger changes such as a new job or a marriage are required,

A famous concept is approaching routine situations as if we met or saw them for the first time. In other words, we should look at them as if we'd never seen them. 【小题3】 For instance, when we brush our teeth, take a moment to look at the toothbrush as if we never laid eyes on such an object and noticed its color and shape. Think about the flavor of the toothpaste and notice how our mouth feels as we move the brush back and forth.

【小题4】. The mere presence of a group of people with diverse experiences, views and backgrounds in our everyday life creates an atmosphere in which people can better respond to change. Why? Because they are key drivers of the development of new ideas and solutions.

Unlike negative emotions (情感）that cause specific reactions(for example, fear drives us to flee) ,positive emotions help us broaden our attention, explore our environment, and open ourselves to absorbing information.

【小题5】. They can be those that are going well or for which we are grateful. This shifting — into — positivity process will automatically brighten our mood—and free our brain.