When the architect Frank Gehry was asked if society curtails individual imagination, he famously said: “I don’t think it does… You curtail your own imagination if you do it. Certainly there are constraints… Gravity is a constraint, finally. But those are, to any artist, manageable.”
What an inspiring quote. It sounds quite counter intuitive, but I’ve noticed- both in myself and in teams- that our best work happens when we are substantially constrained. Not that we should look actively for a constraint that does not exist- certainly not! But then, most projects will come with some form of constraint. Small sized companies will have budgetary constraints; mid-sized companies often lack governance frameworks, and large organizations may come with the burden of outdated processes, redundant workforce, etc. Time to proficiency, global and local regulations, organizational dynamics (politics), etc are also formidable constraints.
In my experience, individuals and teams that think of such constraints as limitations are starting off by curtailing their creativity. But consider the individuals and teams that think of these constraints not as limitations, but as puzzles that need to be solved. By simply tweaking that one mental block, they are re-defining constraints as opportunities, as building blocks that ultimately fit together to provide a larger picture, and that, when solved, provide for a sense of achievement.
Er… did you know that six, regular, 8-stud, Lego bricks can be put together in more than 900,000,000 different ways? Take a minute to think about the enormity of the opportunity created by that constraint!
In a study conducted at the University of Amsterdam in 2011, Jana Marguc and colleagues conducted an experiment where they administered some simple cognitive constraints to one group of students, while leaving the control group untouched. They then observed how the two groups interpreted specific situations. Their findings show that the group subjected to cognitive constraints was:
- Better at focusing on the whole, rather than on the detailed parts
- More conceptual, allowing for a greater range of possibilities and ideas
- More willing to stay engaged in a difficult task
Simple Constraint Activities for the week: I like to throw little constraints into my daily life. Most of these are silly activities I enjoy. On a serious note, I can also feel my thought process getting sharper and clearer when I solve these constraints. Here are a few- try ‘em if you like ‘em!
- Set a timer when you’re folding a pile of clothes.
- Get down one tram stop before your scheduled stop and walk instead.
- Read two paragraphs of your current book in the mirror.
- Order a drink at Starbucks that you never would.
- Go a weekend without your credit card.
- Switch up your regular seat in the train! If you always sit by the window on the left and in the opposing direction, sit by the aisle on the right facing in the direction of the train.
- Take a quick look at the image below. Which letter of the alphabet did you see first? Scan this article to find out what the respective letters signify.
