Constraints liberate put in motion
Constraints liberate, liberties constraint.
Despite juggling with this concept for years, it was blurry in my mind. To internalise an idea you need to engage with it. Look at it from different angles and contemplate the context where it can be applied. And then you should put it to the test. That’s when an idea becomes alive.
Across space
The past few years I keep stumbling on it.
In design, Jack Butcher credits this idea behind the Visualize Value brand. He constrains his designs to black and white colour and basic shapes. He expresses profound ideas with a minimal toolset.
In writing, David Perell has this advice for aspiring writers stuck in the ideation process:
You don't lack ideas, you lack deadlines. Deadlines give you no choice but to be creative
In programming, Rúnar Bjarnason in his famous talk “Constraints Liberate, Liberties Constrain” mentions:
A constraint on component design leads to freedom and power when putting those components together into systems
But examples are not limited to professional life. People find all sorts of applications.
Christopher Nolan chooses to constrain the usage of technology. He doesn’t even own a smartphone.
I do a lot of my best thinking in those kind of in-between moments that people now fill with online activity
Donald Knuth claims that banning email played a key role to his happiness.
I have been a happy man ever since January 1, 1990, when I no longer had an email address.
Across time
This idea seems like a perfect tool for the challenges of modern life. A life of constant input and more freedoms than ever. But is it a realisation of our times? Or is it something deeper?
One can trace this idea back to ancient times and across cultures. From ancient Greek philosophy, to Buddhism, to the words of American Founders, there is this recurring concept.
Unconstrained freedom can lead to chaos.
Yes, there can be such a thing as too much freedom. And that is where some structure can help us navigate.
Personal Handbook
Convinced of the value of this idea I started applying it. When in a challenging situation I ask myself. Can I simplify things by adding a constraint?
Two main areas I have identified so far.
When the right choice is obvious
Most of us struggle to make the right choices in some area of our life. Be it eating healthy, exercising, essentially something we want to achieve. The right thing to do? Usually obvious. But for some reason we fail to do it. In these moments adding a constraint can help.
Example
I love reading books, essays, posts and listening to podcasts. What I struggle with, is producing some output out of it.
Adding a Constraint
I can consume information only on Mon-Tue-Wed.
The rest of the days I have to produce something. Write, build whatever. As long as I make something.
Why does this work? It is what Tim Ferriss describes in his post Finding the one decision that removes 100 decisions. It needs true willpower to make the right decision ten times a day. How about eliminating the need to decide altogether by having a rule? Let the rule decide for me.
Example
I wanted to minimise drinking. Even though I was never fond of alcohol I would still drink for social reasons.
Adding a Constraint
Quit drinking altogether.
Now I announce it and that’s it. No decision to make every time.
No “I will not drink today because _”.
Just “I don’t drink anymore”.
You can come up with any constraint you want. It doesn't have to be real. But it can prove very useful.
And where the self-imposed constraints fall short you can turn it up a notch. You can leverage external constraints to keep you accountable. Announce in public you will do something that scares you. Sign up for that talk you have been avoiding. Sometimes to get out of your comfort zone you need to put some skin in the game. So that you can go fucking do it.
When there are too many options
Now this is a different scenario. You don’t know what the right choice is. And on top of that are many options to choose from. This is usually the case with creative work.
Example
You want to write about a topic but you are stuck. Where do you even start?
Adding a Constraint
Force yourself to create a first draft.
Start writing down your thoughts like you would describe it to a friend. Iterate on that. Create a basic outline. Rearrange the sections. Argue on your ideas. Come up with better ones. Delete stuff. Edit.
A constraint is not an excuse for sloppy work. Quality can suffer if you rush. But the first draft is not the final one. You can iterate on that. Just don’t let perfectionism stand in the way. Note to myself.
A similar approach applies whenever the problem solution space is wide.
Example
You want to switch careers. The alternatives might be many. And intimidating.
Adding a Constraint
Explore options in a time-bounded way.
Start acting on it. Does programming sound interesting? Take a programming course. Start on a pet project. Do you think you could be a writer? Start writing. Publish consistently articles. Learn what the actual process feels like.
What we think we like does not always converge with what we actually like.
You cannot think yourself out of some situations. You need action.
That was a profound realisation for me.
Poor rich old or young (5)
We might still need some constraint (7)
To feel free again (5)
Closing with a first draft of a haiku. The haiku is a Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines, with five-seven-five syllables per line.