• Boxes are only good for storing stuff or moving stuff. Either way eventually you have to empty the box. The problem then becomes one of not wanting to part with the box. That’s why it gets filled up again. So loosen up, dump the stuff and give up the box. Then you are in even greater alingment with Melanie’s truth – there is no box.

    • “Boxes are only good for storing stuff or moving stuff.”

      Toooo true, Joyce!

      Even if you hadn’t landed on this post, I would have pegged you for a “no box” kind of gal. 🙂

      It’s GREAT to see you here,
      Melanie

      • The irony is that I’m getting ready to move and I’m up to my eyeballs in boxes.

        • LOL!

          You’re moving, Joyce? That’s great news. The last time we spoke (eons ago!) I think you said you were about to put your home on the market?

          I hope you’ve found a new location you’re going to fall in love with. 🙂

          Happy packing (and unpacking)!
          Melanie

  • You’ve made my heart sing, Martyna!

    And anytime I can put a smile on someone’s face, I know I have achieved great success. 🙂

    I’m so pleased you walked the pathway to my door. Thank you for the visit.

  • hola Melanie:)

    I was smiling while reading!
    “Then my suggestion is to start placing your ideas into a box and pull one out any time you wish.”
    this is so clever! as just the pure initiative of imagining a box full of ideas places th person outside this box.

    🙂 our minds just like nature, don’t accept a vacuum, the ideas will start popping up, one after another

    thank you,
    Martyna

  • Feelin’ the same way, Deb! So much of the stuff I get my hands on just ISN’T ME. And sometimes I can’t even tweak it or break it down to suit my personality or my style.

    Let’s face it … we’re birds of a feather (that don’t have any doggone box to fly out of!) 🙂

  • Hi Melanie,

    Once again I love your post! There is no box!

    You know me, the ever-learner always involved in one course or another and there are so many of them that say “this is how you do it.” But nine out of ten times, it’s just not me! So I take what I learn and apply it to what feels right for me, what works for me and in so doing I remain authentic to who I am. This in turns rings true to those that I’m in contact with.

    Thanks for your post and for confirming what I have believed for a long time. I never liked the phrase “Think outside the box.”

  • Eloquently stated, Danielle! And I will echo and underscore your comment. 🙂

  • Great post Melanie! I think some people need that box to feel structured. The key is just making up your own stuff to pull out of that box! 🙂 It’s a great concept and I think it will work great for those who are intimidated by forced creativity.

  • I genuinely appreciate the compliment, Keith. “Pigeonhole posts” are my signature writing style. Some have accused me of developing this style out of sheer laziness.

    Truth is, I love to write. However, I see no need for “filler” or “flowery” jargon. I simply say it as I see it.

    Yeah, I’m sure — no Easter Bunny. 🙂

    It’s been a joy having you hanging around for a while today.

  • Melanie
    Love your style – short sharp posts that still make the point.
    Guess most of us talk ourselves into the box rather than ignoring it.

    “There is no box to think outside of.”
    I’m with you all the way.

    BTW – are you sure about the Easter Bunny?

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  • Thanks for adding to this conversation, Martha. And what you’ve said about yourself is exactly “why” I started following you! I’m sure you’ve come across as many people as I have on the internet that are as phony as a 3-dollar bill.

    Everything you share with others online and the posts you write exude authenticity — no canned, regurgitated garbage. You’re right off the cuff and you speak from the heart.

    No mask — just Martha!

    And you’re right. There’s no box around THAT.

  • This made me think. About WHY people follow me and how am I differentiating myself. I came up with this: I’m down-to-earth and real. I tell it like it is and don’t mince words.
    Bottom line is, what works for you in real life is what will work for you in your online biz life. Being authentic is key. And there’s no box around THAT! LOL

  • Hooray for you, Bonnie! You just hit the proverbial nail on the head. And you’ve made an extremely valid point — pay less attention to the way someone else is telling you to have success.

    We all need certain kinds of tools and training at times. But it sounds like you’re as bombarded as I am (on a continuum) with a gazillion people trying to push me in a gazillion different directions. And between you and me (and anyone else who happens to read this comment) I’m growing really tired of all the alleged “secrets” that land in my inbox every day of the week.

    You know what, Bonnie? If people aren’t trying to tell you their “secrets”, they’re trying to tell you everyone else’s “lies”. Enough of this nonsense already.

    My advice …

    Build your business however you want to by simply being uniquely and creatively you.

  • Melanie,
    I feel like I”ve just been given a green light to be me! Love this post for being so straightforward. It reminds me of the saying we are all uniquely unique. I really needed that reminded after all the tele seminars and videos I watched lately telling me the big secrets and the how to’s. I honestly had to put the brakes on all the messages because I felt like I was losing my self (or my mind..lol)
    Sometimes I think knowing less about what others have done to succeed might be an advantage to creative thinking!

    Keep on being your fabulous self!

  • Hey Karen – sorry if I upset your apple cart. Not my intention. Glad you liked the post anyway.

    Just want mompreneurs to know there are no barriers to break free from when it comes to branding themselves and creatively marketing their online businesses.

  • Karen Terry

    OK Melanie I don’t know what to say to this one – especially after I wrote my Seabiscuit post!!!

    (But I do like it!) Karen

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