Episode 106: The Artisan Life – Constraints Ignite Creativity

Finding Your Groove With Kathleen Thompson

We so often believe that constraints are stifling our creativity. Yet, often it’s the presence of constraints that fuels our creative fire. Listen to this episode to learn how you can use constraints to boost creativity.

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On This Episode

Tune-up Tip – Don’t Say “Nuts” to Nuts
Random Riffs – They’ve Gone About as Far as They Can Go
Feature Segment – Creativity Explodes With Constraints

Today’s Quote

I think frugality drives innovation, just like other constraints do. One of the only ways to get out of a tight box is to invent your way out. –Jeff Bezos

Tune-Up Tip – Don’t Say “Nuts” to Nuts

At the start of this new year, many of us are thinking about our diet – specifically starting one. There are so many options that it’s hard to keep track.

Then there’s the confusion about what’s good for you. Something’s bad for you one day, and good the next. And nuts are no exception to the confusion.

An article in May 2018 issue of Tufts Health & Nutrition Newsletter describes several health benefits of nuts. And also advises us how we can include them as part of a healthy diet. Listen to the episode to hear the good news about nuts.

Random Riffs – They’ve Gone About as Far as They Can Go

I was at my Alexander lesson. I could feel the relative freedom in much of my body and breathing. And then we came to my shoulders. They felt as though there wasn’t any more they could give. They had gone as far as they could go. I guess that was true – for that day. But that doesn’t mean that’s as far as they can go forever. Tomorrow could be different.

Think of your life that way too. As far as you could go today might not be the edge tomorrow.

So why not have hope?

Feature Segment – Creativity Explodes With Constraints

I sit with a blank piece of paper and pencil. Ready to start writing my first song in more than 10 years. Apprehensive. Unsure of myself. Almost afraid to write the first word.

Now I close my eyes. Remind myself of the type of song I wanted to write. Now the picture becomes clear. And so does the storyline of the song. Why? –Because I created constraints. Constraints magnify creativity.

We often think we need more something to be creative. Actually, the opposite is often true. Constraints require more creativity because we keep bumping up against the boundaries.

Here are some powerful ways that constraints can stoke your creativity.

1. Keep a list/file/folder of ideas and work from that. This gives you a starting point. Starting is often the hardest and scariest.
2. Require a large (or even specified) number of ideas before you choose one. This gets you past the expected or predictable.
3. This requires you to rethink and opens connections in your brain.
4. Limited resources. This requires flexible thinking.

What is also needed besides constraints? Belief that the impossible can be possible. Or, as Marissa Mayer says, “…a healthy disregard for the impossible.”

How many products we use every day seemed impossible – or impossibly stupid – in the beginning? Like the iPhone or Spanx.

The film Landfill Harmonic beautifully depicts doing incredibly creative work in some of the most challenging constraints.

Constraints fire creativity. Constraints of working from existing ideas, regulating the number of ideas, obstacles, and limited resources.

What constraints you living with? What can you even manufacture? How could these constraints help you become more creative in your own walk of life? Leave a comment.

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Constraints can be the catalyst for creativity.
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Artisan Series

090: Why You Should Be an Artisan at Work
091: The Three C's of Artisanship
092: Are You a Creator, Consumer, or Critic?
093: Where to Start as an Artisan? With a MAP.
094: What's Your Signature Scent?
095: The Foundations of Craftsmanship
096: Follow Your Curiosity to Build Craftsmanship
097: Craftsmanship Requires Change
098: Building Craftsmanship – When it Gets Hard
099: Building Craftsmanship – Take Care of Your Tools
101: Building Craftsmanship – Be an Apprentice
102: Building Craftsmanship – Practice
103: 4 Habits That Foster Creativity
104: Time for Wonder
105: Forget the Big Bang Theory

The post Episode 106: The Artisan Life – Constraints Ignite Creativity first appeared on Kathleen Ann Thompson.