CONSTRAINTS

Constraints allow us to think more freely.  The lager lesson is that the brain is a neural tangle of near infinite possibility, which means that it spends a lot of time and energy choosing what not to notice.  as a result, creativity is traded away for efficiency; we think in literal prose, not symbolist poetry.  And this is why constraints are so important:  It' not until we encounter an unexpected hindrance--a challenge we can't easily resolve--that the chains of cognition are loosened, giving us newfound access to the weird connections simmering in the unconscious.  When all data and ideas are on the table, there is endless potential, and we could spend weeks working through it in an effort to explain it all.  Constraints help us eliminate most of the data and focus on connecting what will fit within our constraints.  For us, constraints give form and shape.  We need to think through a number of questions that help us see in the context of constraints.  It seems paradoxical that constraints liberate, but I believe it's true.  Only by considering a specific situation's limitations can we identify the right combination of factors that work to achieve the outcomes we want.  Often, it is through restrictions such as duration, language, audience, and format that we can discover new ideas and opportunities.

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