Book Reflections

I just finished the book, The Houdini Solution, by Ernie Schenck. Ernie is a co-founder for an Emmy Award winning Advertising Agency.

The main idea of the book is based on the secret behind Harry Houdini's magic and performances. It is simple, he worked best in tight places, inside the box. He did not allow his mind to be consumed with the problem, he directed all of his energy toward solving it. For instance when Houdini was bound and locked in chains. He was lowered upside down into a glass box filled with water. With only minutes to escape. What would you do? Would you allow the hopelessness of the situation dictate the the outcome, which would be death? Or like Houdini would you accept the circumstances? Accept the box. Accept the chains and the locks. And begin to think inside the box. The bottom line is this: the biggest secret of truly productive creative people is that they embrace obstacles like Houdini, they don't run from them. Look at setbacks as opportunities and limitations as chances to excel.

Are you going to let your box set you back or set you up for your best performance ever? Working inside the many boxes of life might limit the time we have to get out of the box, but at the same time it will maximise our ability to be creative and innovative.