I spend a lot of my free time scanning the world looking for interesting ideas and interesting people that/who stretch their thinking about how to solve problems or create new opportunities. These journeys, in person and on-line, consistently uncover the creativity and resourcefulness of people who won’t take “NO” for an answer. People who have shown that obstacles are only intended to force us to come up with new solutions!
So, I was struck, and I dare say amused, by the clever mind of Jens Braun…a German farmer who was finding it difficult to get a permit to build a barn for his horses. Skilled as a carpenter, he came up with an alternative that does the job reasonably well, does not require a building permit, and is a lot more interesting.
His solution was to build a set of furniture that provides a modest amount of shelter from the sun, rain, snow, and building inspectors. A set of furniture that should inspire all of us to stretch our thinking about the things that matter.
We win in business and in life when we view rules as opportunities to unlock new thinking. And when we find a bit of time to horse around.
