The misunderstanding of creativity is it needs endless room to flourish, bound by no limitations set upon it.

While this is a poetic thought to consider, it leads to the overwhelm of choice and ultimately, procrastination without a trace of completion. It’s the equivalent of going into the bread crumbs section of a grocery store and trying to make a decision for the best brand.*

If, however, creativity is given strict boundaries to work within, it flourishes.

The mind must find ways to work within the constraints and create solutions to the limited access it has been given. James Cameron wanted to film Avatar many years before its time, but the technology wasn’t present for his vision. Hence, he invented it and turned his very specific idea into a worldwide success.

Dame Barabara Cartland wrote over 700 romance novels – all in the same genre with similar structures. Yet, they were all unique given the parameters.

Tell a student they can do whatever they want, without any guidance, and they will do nothing.

Tell them they must use specific tools to create an outcome, without giving them the “ideal” or “correct” outcome and they will blow you away with their output.

If your creative process is stuck, giving yourself limitations may be the key to unlocking its roadblock.

*They’re all packaged in the same place and given different labels as they come off the line. You’re just being given the illusion of choice.