Constraints breed creativity

We rarely create with a blank canvas.

Normally, the canvas has certain expectations before the first brush stroke is made. And those expectations can be wonderful for creativity.

I thought of this while perusing a gardening magazine this morning.

The rising temperatures in the UK, mixed with pricing challenges and wild weather, is causing huge disruption across gardens across the country. Some are electing not to bother with their gardens anymore, astroturfing the problems away.

Others are seeing opportunity for creativity. Swapping annuals for perrenials. Growing shorter more resilient plants that need less water and soil disturbance. Little changes to their rituals that can produce a slightly different type of garden, but one no less beautiful.

And so it is with economic crises, turbulent markets, rising competition, or any other constraint that may come one’s way.

Better to see constraints as a playful companion, nudging you toward a creative solution, than an enemy trying to ruin your day.

Our work is so much better for it when we befriend constraints.