Constraints are not the enemy...
In certain circumstances, constraints can definitely hold you back. However, in most circumstances, constraints can be a blessing in disguise...
Happy New Week!
Today I want to talk about the power of constraints. Sometimes, when trying to accomplish something, we are faced with some sort of constraint. That could be a lack of time, skills, resources, etc. In certain circumstances, constraints can definitely hold you back. However, in most circumstances, constraints can be a blessing in disguise.
Theodor Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist who published children’s books under the pen name of Dr. Seuss. William Spaulding, the then director of the education division at Houghton Mifflin, noticed that American first graders were lagging behind European students in their studies. He identified 348 words that all first graders should know and challenged Dr. Seuss to write an imaginative and captivating book using only those words. Geisel accepted the challenge and wrote the best-selling children's book to date, The Cat In The Hat.
Another publisher challenged him that he could not write a book using just 50 words. Dr. Seuss took on that challenge and delivered another iconic children’s book that consisted of just 50 words, Green Eggs and Ham. Dr. Seuss passed away in 1991 but still continues to dominate the children’s books world all because he did what he can with the constraints placed on him.
The power of constraints:
Constraints force you to be more creative - when faced with constraints, you have to be innovative and creative. You have to figure out different ways to solve problems. This means you have to be resourceful with your time, capabilities, or even funds. Constraints help us develop our critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Having constraints in your life forces you to make decisions and sacrifices while pushing your talent to levels that force growth and expansion.
Constraints reduce distractions - it is easy to fall victim to “shiny objects”. There is always a new approach or idea that can be added to whatever you’re working on, constraints help you stick to the plan.
Constraints give us clear direction - starting can be very difficult because we’re often faced with too many options. When dealing with constraints so many options are taken away from us and we can only work with what we’re given. This removes potential decision fatigue which can cripple you from starting. Limiting your options gives you the freedom to create.
There is beauty in constraints, when you are pushed to your limits you see what you’re really capable of. Constraints allow you to think of new possibilities, to do things we wouldn’t have done if not for those constraints. Most times we wait for situations to be perfect to start but you can start exactly where you are with what you have.
Constraints can be annoying and frustrating when you don’t accept and embrace them. When starting, you’re never going to have all you need to succeed, you have to make do with what you have. That is the beauty of it. I’m sure you’ve all had your experiences creating with restraints, whenever facing restraints, and you will because that’s how life is, remember what you created the last time and have faith that it will work out this time too. Constraints aren’t the boundaries of creativity, but the foundation of it.
Something interesting to watch - I watched this incredible movie on Netflix about a 13-year-old boy who built a windmill to save his village from famine with huge constraints placed on him. Based on the true story of William Kamkwamba, if you want to see the beauty of constraints, watch this!