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Creative Tool: Arm Behind Back

Breakthroughs by Way of Constraints.    

There is something to be said about limitations and achievement.  Jocko Willink says "Discipline equals freedom."  Flannery O'Conner explained that "Art transcends its limitations only by staying within them."  G. K. Chesterton's quip was that "Art consists of limitation. The most beautiful part of every picture is the frame."

Why is creativity enhanced by limitations?  Here are some thoughts I had.
  • Normal problems are already solved, so terribly difficult problems remain salient and can only be unlocked at the edge of human ability
  • Limitations require serious and creative thinking, thus unlocking new pathways that are hard to reach otherwise
  • Limitations represent a real challenge that engages your mind and will to a higher level than a standard endeavor
Whatever the link between limitations and creative breakthroughs is, I find it a helpful exercise to think of ways to intentionally limit myself from time to time.  Metaphorically tying my arm behind my back.  Here are some ideas:
  1. Literally tie my arm behind my back for a day.
  2. No computer.  Write everything out by hand, only have face-to-face meetings, use printed resources rather than screens, etc.
  3. Limit the number of tabs open on my internet browser at any one time (2 per screen).
  4. Schedule just half the day (morning or afternoon) to complete a full day's work.
  5. Solve a problem by subtraction alone.
  6. Solve a computer task entirely by coding out of the command line/prompt.
  7. Complete several tasks blindfolded.
  8. Communicate without speaker or writing.
  9. No chairs or sitting down for a day.
  10. Every first draft must be thrown out after completion and started over again.
  11. Consult with at least three people on a problem before implementing a solution.
  12. Write at least three variants for each sentence for a first draft of a writing project.

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