The Psychology Of Constraints

“Instead of freaking out about these constraints, embrace them. Let them guide you. Constraints drive innovation and force focus. Instead of trying to remove them, use them to your advantage.” 

Let me tell you a little story: It was a scorching hot day in Atlanta, not a cloud in the sky. Me and my team were in the middle of filming a sketch comedy video, when we realized we had written a scene that called for rain.

Now, we were no big budget production, barely scraping together enough for food(shout out to those tostinos pizzas), let alone a rain set. But hey, we're creative thinkers. So, we racked our brains for hours, trying to figure out how to make it rain without rain. And then it dawned on us… 🧠

A trip to Target and a bunch of mini water bottles later, we were ready. We poked holes in the tops of those little bottles and took ourselves to the third floor of our building. With determined and unsure faces, we squeezed those bottles, creating a drizzle that looked like the real deal. It worked like a charm, well in our eyes it did.

In those moments we had two choices, we could either label that constraint as “Limiting” or we could label it as “Potentially inspiring.” In those situations learn to list the things that come up as road blocks and see if they can propel you forward in a way that maybe you haven’t thought of before.

You see, constraints have a funny way of both limiting us and unlocking our creativity. They challenge us to think outside the box and forces our brains to dig deeper. And today, that's what I want to explore with you. So, buckle up, find a comfy seat, grab some popcorn or whatever gets you in the mood, because we're about to dive into the power of constraints in not just business, but in life. 💬

Biological Roots: Why Our Brains Thrive Under Constraints 💭

When faced with limitations, our brains undergo what can be called "cognitive stretching." This is where, much like a muscle being stretched beyond its comfort zone, the brain pushes its cognitive abilities to new limits, exploring solutions it wouldn't typically consider. Imagine your brain physically stretching out but with no limit to where it could go.

With infinite choices, the brain becomes overwhelmed, a phenomenon known as "decision fatigue." Constraints reduce the number of decisions one has to make, allowing the mind to focus more intently on a specific task or problem. This heightened focus can lead to deeper insights and more innovative solutions.

You Can even try an activity, like Take on a 30 minute brainstorming challenge. Set a strict time limit and a specific topic to focus on. Observe how the constraints can lead to a surge of creative ideas. Actually do it though, like for real, don’t be scrolling. 👀

Historical Achievements Born from Constraints 🏀

In 2012, LeBron James and the Miami Heat faced a pivotal challenge. Down 3-2 in the series, they entered Game 6 in Boston, making it a must-win situation.(Man it was fun watching this series!) It was during this intense pressure that LeBron's exceptional athletic prowess truly shone. He delivered a staggering performance with 45 points and 15 rebounds, propelling the Heat to Game 7 and, eventually, to the championship. This pressure, these constraints, seemingly unleashed a beast within LeBron. That boy had that DOG in him! They pushed him to exhibit a level of creative athleticism that was unprecedented, suggesting that sometimes constraints can catalyze greatness.

Here are some case studies on constraints that have proven to be a positive thing in the past

• The 10-Minute Play: Theatre festivals that limit play durations often see an explosion of creativity as playwrights weave compelling narratives in tight timeframes.

• Twitter's(Or “X” as it is now) 280 Character Limit: What was once seen as a limitation has transformed the way we communicate, making messages concise and impactful.

• Ikea's Flat-Pack Furniture: The constraint of flat packaging led to innovative furniture design and a revolution in self-assembly home products.

The next time you're faced with a limitation, embrace it. See it not as a roadblock, but as a unique path leading to innovative brilliance. Let constraints be your compass in the evolving journey of creation. You got this. This week may have some constraints but i believe you are going to come out better than ever! Until next time, keep coloring outside the lines and reimagining the boundaries. 💡