Have you ever found yourself stuck, searching for a new way to express the idea of thinking creatively or coming up with original ideas? It can sometimes feel like saying “think outside the box” is a little too overused, or maybe it doesn’t feel as fresh as it used to.
Well, worry no more! In this article, we’ll explore 20 other ways to say “think outside the box,” each one bringing a new flavor to the way we talk about innovation, creativity, and fresh ideas. Let’s find the right phrases to express yourself in a way that feels more personal, engaging, and meaningful.
What Does “Think Outside the Box” Mean?
Before we dive into the alternatives, let’s take a quick moment to define what “think outside the box” actually means. When we say it, we’re encouraging someone to move beyond conventional thinking and approach a problem from a new, unique perspective. It’s all about breaking free from limitations and letting creativity take the lead. But, over time, it’s become a bit of a buzzword, so it’s helpful to know a few other ways to express the same idea.
Is It Professional/Polite to Say “Think Outside the Box”?
Is saying “think outside the box” appropriate in all professional settings? While it’s definitely not rude, it can feel a little overdone or even cliche in certain situations. If you’re looking to add a bit of freshness to your communication or sound a little more polished, opting for one of these alternatives can help you sound more thoughtful and refined. Being aware of your audience is key, and sometimes a change in wording can make all the difference. So, let’s explore some new options that could be more fitting for different scenarios!
Pros and Cons of Saying ‘Think Outside the Box’
Pros:
- Encourages creativity and innovation.
- Universally understood in both personal and professional settings.
- Motivates people to find new solutions.
Cons:
- Overused in business and creative discussions.
- Can feel vague without specific guidance.
- Doesn’t always resonate with every audience.
Synonyms for “Think Outside the Box”
- Break the Mold
- Push the Envelope
- Step Outside the Norm
- Go Off the Beaten Path
- Look at the Bigger Picture
- Go Beyond the Usual
- Think Creatively
- Explore New Horizons
- Try a Different Angle
- Break New Ground
- Innovate
- Challenge the Status Quo
- Think Differently
- Go Against the Grain
- Rethink the Approach
- Turn Things Around
- Be Unconventional
- Expand Your Horizons
- Think Laterally
- Blaze a New Trail
1. “Break the Mold”
Sometimes the best way to encourage fresh thinking is by reminding someone to break the mold. It’s a call to do something unconventional, to try something completely different, and it’s perfect when you want to push creativity in a new direction.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Encouraging Creativity in Our Team
Hey [Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to reach out with a quick thought about our upcoming project. How can we break the mold on this one? I think it’s time we move beyond the usual approach and see if we can come up with something that really stands out.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase works well when discussing a new project or brainstorming session, where you’re looking for innovative and different solutions.
Additional Note: “Break the mold” is a bit more direct and can come across as more urgent compared to other alternatives.
2. “Push the Envelope”
To push the envelope is to go beyond what’s expected, to challenge the limits, and to explore what hasn’t been done before. If you want to encourage someone to go above and beyond, this is a great phrase.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Reaching New Heights in Our Work
Hey [Name],
I was thinking about the direction we’re taking with this project. Let’s push the envelope here and take this to a level we haven’t considered before. I think there’s so much potential for us to explore!
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: Perfect for situations where you want to inspire your team to innovate and challenge existing norms.
Additional Note: This phrase works well when you want to challenge limits and push boundaries in creative thinking.
3. “Step Outside the Norm”
When we say “step outside the norm,” we’re encouraging someone to do things a bit differently and to move beyond what’s considered typical. It’s a gentle push towards originality while remaining professional.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Exploring Fresh Ideas
Hey [Name],
I’ve been reflecting on our team’s direction, and I think it’s time to step outside the norm. Let’s think about how we can add something new and different to our approach.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This is great for a team meeting where you want everyone to consider new perspectives without feeling too forced or extreme.
Additional Note: “Step outside the norm” is friendly and approachable, perfect for collaborative brainstorming sessions.
4. “Go Off the Beaten Path”
If you want to suggest that someone take a different route or approach, this is your phrase. To go off the beaten path means to do things in a way that hasn’t been done before.
Scenario Example:
Subject: New Ideas for Our Campaign
Hey [Name],
I’ve been thinking, and I believe we should go off the beaten path for our next campaign. Let’s experiment with some fresh ideas that we wouldn’t usually consider.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: Perfect for suggesting a creative approach that may feel a little more adventurous or risky.
Additional Note: Use this phrase when you want to inspire daring creativity or unconventional ideas.
5. “Look at the Bigger Picture”
Instead of focusing on the same-old, try encouraging someone to look at the bigger picture. This helps remind them to zoom out and explore the broader possibilities, considering new angles and connections.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Re-evaluating Our Strategy
Hey [Name],
Let’s look at the bigger picture here. There may be an angle we’re overlooking that could open up even more opportunities for us in the long run.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This is a fantastic way to encourage more strategic thinking and long-term creativity.
Additional Note: Use this when you feel like someone is getting too bogged down in the details and needs to step back and see the entire landscape.
6. “Go Beyond the Usual”
Sometimes the best ideas come when we’re willing to go beyond the usual. This phrase encourages people to step out of their comfort zones and avoid relying on safe or predictable solutions.
Scenario Example:
Subject: A New Approach for This Project
Hey [Name],
Let’s try to go beyond the usual here and take our project in a direction we haven’t considered before. I think it’s time for something a little more unique.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This works well in brainstorming sessions or strategy meetings when you want to encourage nontraditional thinking.
Additional Note: “Go beyond the usual” is more subtle and encouraging, making it easy to introduce new ideas without sounding too pushy.
7. “Think Creatively”
When you just want to keep things simple, telling someone to think creatively gets the message across without sounding too fancy. It’s about reminding them to look beyond obvious answers and come up with unique solutions.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Creative Input Needed
Hey [Name],
For this task, I think it’s important to think creatively. We’re looking for ideas that push the limits, so I’m excited to see what you come up with.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase is perfect when you’re trying to keep things clear and straightforward without overcomplicating things.
Additional Note: It’s simple and direct, ideal for moments when clarity is key.
8. “Explore New Horizons”
This is a beautiful way to encourage someone to expand their thinking and explore new opportunities that haven’t been considered before. It’s a gentle push towards fresh perspectives.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Opening New Possibilities
Hey [Name],
I think it’s time for us to explore new horizons. Let’s see what else is out there that we haven’t yet tapped into. The possibilities are endless!
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase is perfect for visionary thinking when you want to push someone to discover unexplored potential.
Additional Note: Use this when you want to encourage a team to look at something with fresh eyes.
9. “Try a Different Angle”
Suggesting to try a different angle is a great way to encourage someone to approach a problem from a new perspective. It’s like looking at something through a different lens and considering options they haven’t thought of.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Looking at This From a New Angle
Hey [Name],
Let’s try a different angle on this challenge. Perhaps we can see the issue from a new perspective and come up with a creative solution.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This works when you need a slight shift in perspective but don’t want to abandon the core idea completely.
Additional Note: It’s light and approachable, encouraging collaboration and fresh insights.
10. “Break New Ground”
To break new ground means to pioneer or explore uncharted territory, making it an excellent phrase when encouraging bold new ideas and approaches.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Time for Innovation
Hey [Name],
I think it’s time we break new ground on this project. Let’s explore something totally different that could give us a competitive edge.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: Ideal for when you’re encouraging your team to innovate in a way that sets them apart from others.
Additional Note: Use this when you want to emphasize that the team is leading in the creative process.
11. “Innovate”
Innovation is at the heart of creativity—it’s all about creating something new or improving something that already exists. When you encourage someone to innovate, you’re asking them to go beyond what’s currently possible and find new solutions.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Let’s Innovate Together
Hey [Name],
How about we innovate this next campaign? I believe we can take our ideas in a whole new direction if we put our heads together and explore fresh approaches.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase is great when you want to encourage new solutions or advancements in a project, particularly in tech or product development.
Additional Note: It’s a forward-thinking, motivating phrase that emphasizes progress and change.
12. “Challenge the Status Quo”
If you’re looking for a phrase with a bit more force behind it, try “challenge the status quo.” It’s a call to question the current way of doing things and take bold steps to create something better.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Breaking the Mold in Our Approach
Hey [Name],
I think it’s time we challenge the status quo. We’ve been doing things one way for too long, and it’s time to shake things up and think of better ways to move forward.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase is perfect when you want to encourage bold action and disruption in your field or work processes.
Additional Note: It’s a strong phrase that is best used in situations where you want to make a clear statement about changing the way things are done.
13. “Think Differently”
This one is as straightforward as it gets. “Think differently” is a gentle nudge to change the way you think, and it’s easy to use in almost any situation where you want to encourage fresh thinking.
Scenario Example:
Subject: A New Way to Tackle This
Hey [Name],
Let’s think differently about how we handle this problem. What if we explored some new methods that we haven’t considered yet? It could open up some exciting possibilities!
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: Use this phrase when you want to inspire more creative thinking without coming off as too intense or dramatic.
Additional Note: It’s simple and flexible, perfect for any situation where you want to suggest a slight shift in perspective.
14. “Go Against the Grain”
If you want to encourage someone to take a counterintuitive approach, you can ask them to go against the grain. It’s all about being non-conformist and breaking away from the mainstream way of doing things.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Trying Something Unconventional
Hey [Name],
For this project, I think it might be a good idea to go against the grain. Let’s take a risk and try something new that no one’s tried before—it could pay off in ways we didn’t expect.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase works well when you want to encourage risky or bold moves, particularly when everyone else is following the same formula.
Additional Note: This phrase has a rebellious tone, so use it when you want to emphasize creative disruption.
15. “Rethink the Approach”
Sometimes, it’s not about coming up with an entirely new idea but about rethinking the approach to something. It’s a gentle push to look at an existing problem from a new direction.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Time to Rethink Our Strategy
Hey [Name],
After thinking it through, I believe we need to rethink the approach to this project. There might be a more efficient way to handle things that we haven’t tried yet.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase is great when you want to reassess a project or shift the direction without completely abandoning previous efforts.
Additional Note: It’s pragmatic and less aggressive than some other phrases, which makes it a great choice for more subtle adjustments.
16. “Turn Things Around”
If you want someone to transform a situation and make it better, saying “turn things around” is a great way to show them there’s room for improvement and fresh thinking.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Making Positive Changes
Hey [Name],
Let’s turn things around for this project. I think there’s a way we can improve the results if we start looking at things with a new mindset.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase is ideal when things might not be going as planned, and you want to encourage someone to make changes to improve the outcome.
Additional Note: “Turn things around” carries a sense of optimism and hope, making it great for motivating others during challenging times.
17. “Be Unconventional”
To be unconventional is to step outside the boundaries of the ordinary and take a different approach. This phrase is perfect when you want to encourage someone to avoid the typical route and experiment with something fresh.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Breaking Free from Traditional Ideas
Hey [Name],
What if we be unconventional with our approach to this project? Let’s try something that hasn’t been done before—it could set us apart from everyone else.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This is great for creative projects or experimental endeavors where you want to break away from tradition.
Additional Note: This phrase emphasizes a bold and courageous mindset, so use it when you want to empower others to take risks.
18. “Expand Your Horizons”
To expand your horizons means to broaden your perspective and look beyond the obvious. It’s a call to consider different possibilities and explore ideas from other angles.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Broadening Our Viewpoint
Hey [Name],
Let’s expand our horizons with this next initiative. I think we could get some fresh ideas by looking at things outside our usual framework.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase works well in discussions about growth and innovation, encouraging people to push the limits of what they know.
Additional Note: It’s a positive and inspiring phrase that encourages growth and discovery.
19. “Think Laterally”
Lateral thinking refers to solving problems in an indirect and creative way, rather than using traditional methods. It encourages breaking out of linear thinking and seeing things from new angles.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Let’s Explore New Solutions
Hey [Name],
Let’s think laterally about how to approach this challenge. Sometimes the most creative solutions come from thinking in ways that we don’t usually consider.
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: Use this when you want to encourage creative problem-solving without following the usual path.
Additional Note: It’s a logical but creative way of thinking that can spark out-of-the-box solutions.
20. “Blaze a New Trail”
Finally, to blaze a new trail is all about leading the way and creating something fresh that hasn’t been done before. It’s a bold, empowering phrase that encourages originality and leadership.
Scenario Example:
Subject: Time for a Bold New Direction
Hey [Name],
I think it’s time we blaze a new trail with this project. Let’s break away from the traditional methods and create something truly groundbreaking!
Best,
[Your Name]
Best Use: This phrase is ideal when you want to inspire someone to take charge and create something completely new.
Additional Note: It’s a bold and inspiring phrase that’s perfect for leadership and innovation.
Conclusion
Exploring different ways to express creativity and originality is like finding new tools to help communicate more effectively. Sometimes, a simple change in wording can spark fresh ideas, empower others, and make discussions feel more engaging and authentic.
Whether you’re working on a team project or just looking for a fresh way to express yourself, the phrases we explored here can help you step outside the box in a whole new way. Embrace these alternatives, and you’ll notice how your communication becomes more vibrant and full of potential!
