Today I tried the Fujimoto Cube, a really simple and elegant origami design. Surprisingly, even though the instructions seemed straightforward, I couldn’t follow them properly and got stuck halfway through the process.
The origami technique for the cube involves carefully folding the paper to create a specific set of crease lines. Then, with the paper folded in half, you gently push one point of the paper towards another point, and the box should automatically fold itself into a cube shape. In my case, however, the self-folding mechanism just didn’t work as expected.
There is no failure, only feedback.
One of the great things about origami is that you can usually identify where you are going wrong in the process. This immediate feedback allows you to pause, review what happened, and correct your course of action. Origami provides that opportunity for self-reflection and iterative improvement, in a very timely manner.
After a minute or so of examining and experimenting, I eventually figured out how to reach the final cube shape. The experience gave me a new appreciation for the simple yet robust structural design of the Fujimoto Cube.
This process of pausing, reflecting, and then retrying is vital to learning and growth, not just for origami, but in many areas of life. Actually, this iterative approach of identifying challenges, pausing to analyze or think through, and then making adjustments is something that most of us could benefit from applying more often.
So, I’m curious – when was the last time you found yourself needing to pause, reflect, and work through a difficult challenge? How do you typically recognize when it’s the right moment to stop and re-evaluate your approach, rather than just plowing ahead? What kinds of critical feedback do you find most helpful in guiding you towards a solution?
Let’s take a pause and reflect now.