Out of the Box AND Unconventional

By Barry Farber

Vision and belief are the foundation to help guide you through “out-of-the-box” thinking and unconventional action. I’ve always been fascinated with new and unique approaches to business, product inventions, martial arts training, artwork and more. When approaching situations different from the norm you seem to get a lot of no’s, rejection and setbacks.

A flat folding pen? “It’s a novelty item, won’t work.”

A biography of a world champion skateboarder? “Skateboarders don’t read”.

How about a $7 million wooden roller coaster named Evel Knievel? “You’re nuts”.

I’ve heard them all.

Anything that challenges the norm and looks at a new way to create gets me excited. The KEY is defining the steps to execute the plan and having a crystal-clear vision of the final product in your mind.

Recently I was made aware of a company that invented and manufactured a sword that cuts through wood called the “Viking Wood Splitting Sword”. It’s 4 feet long and 11 pounds with a double edge razor sharp blade. The reason it got my attention is that for many years I’ve loved training with a variety of martial arts weapons and have always had a passion for chopping wood.

So, I was thinking…what if I could use the Viking sword to start carving a 5-foot wooden statue of a wolf from an oak stump? That would be something a little different since carving animals out of wood and stone has been a hobby of mine. In one of my rock sculptures, I actually used only a hammer and screwdriver.

So, I started thinking of all the benefits of carving with the sword verses using a chainsaw. (Chainsaws are the norm for carving large wooden animals).

First, it’s an amazing full body workout. I get my workout and create a sculpture at the same time. Second, it allows you to understand the uniqueness of the grain and how the wood breaks off. And third, it’s a boatload of fun!

Currently, I’m in the process of carving all the animals in my children’s story…In Search Of The Magic Tree. The 3rd character is Sheba the Wolf. The way I go about it is to visualize the next animal in the middle of the current carving. For weeks I will look at pictures of wolves until I see the one that works and study every feature in great detail. I will buy a miniature model of a wolf and study it from every angle. The more I study and think about the image of the final wolf the easier it is to cut away what isn’t. When you have the end result crystal clear in your mind it gives you the resilience to continue regardless of any mistakes, setbacks and difficulties. This idea helps with all types of projects.

The preparation and visualization of the final product builds the confidence to begin. It’s time to begin.

Barry Farber is a best-selling author, an award winning radio and television host as well as an agent and marketing consultant for corporations, professional athletes, and entertainers. He’s also the creator and marketer of the FoldzFlat® Pens. His latest release is an inspirational children’s book “In search of the magic tree” available at www.barryfarber.com