Inside the box : how constraints make us better / David Epstein.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"Fascinating stories. . . . Boxing ourselves in may be the ultimate way to think outside the box." -- Wall Street Journal

"I thought David Epstein's first two books were brilliant, but Inside the Box is his best. I'll never think about my own work the same way again." --Malcolm Gladwell

It's never been easier to do too much. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Range, why limits are the key to stimulating creativity, innovation, collaboration, and personal contentment.

We live in a world that gives us seemingly infinite choices and prizes freedom above all else. We have an unprecedented number of options regarding what to do, who to be, and how to spend our time. All that choice is wonderful; it is also overwhelming. The irony is that total freedom can be paralyzing, and unlimited resources don't necessarily lead to the biggest breakthroughs. In fact, overvaluing complete freedom can be disastrous for everything from starting a company to harnessing creativity to finding personal satisfaction.

David Epstein argues that all of us--individuals, businesses, institutions, even societies--can benefit from narrowing our options. He dives into the science and practice of constraints, exploring exactly when and how guardrails can be beneficial, whether we're working with limited resources or using self-imposed boundaries to tap unexpected wells of focus and innovation.

Original, galvanizing, and deeply researched, Inside the Box tells absorbing stories of people and organizations that embraced constraints to transform themselves, and the world--as well as a few that struggled from a lack of limits. Epstein reveals how boundaries create breakthroughs, and how setting the right constraints can help you become the most creative, productive, and satisfied version of yourself.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

"Total freedom... is the enemy of creativity, and constraint its companion," asserts journalist Epstein (Range) in this counterintuitive and groundbreaking exploration. While individuals and organizations often yearn for more freedom, time, and money, Epstein explains that because the human brain is inclined to default to familiar patterns rather than engage in high-effort thinking, complete freedom leads to unoriginal ideas. Constraints, however, "push the brain beyond its default tendencies, forcing it to engage in deeper problem-solving." He draws on research and historical examples, including the story of Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami's breakthrough. Frustrated with his early, unoriginal attempts at writing, Murakami imposed a constraint on himself and wrote in his limited English, which he then translated to Japanese. The result was a simple and effective style that Murakami called "a creative rhythm distinctively my own." Elsewhere, Epstein explains that the idea that creativity is synonymous with originality is a product of the Romantic period. Before that, creativity was associated with improving on something that already existed. Shakespeare, for example, based classics like Romeo and Juliet and King Lear on prior works by other writers. Through captivating case studies, Epstein reveals the transformative power of obstacles. It's a game changer. (May)

Booklist Review

Using the creation of the periodic table as a framework, journalist Epstein proposes that carefully selected limitations often spark more creativity and lead to a better product. When someone is prompted to "draw anything," for example, they tend to rely on past experiences. If instead they are asked to draw something specific, their creativity expands. The author explores research and examples in technology, music, and literature, among other fields. From UPS routes to early computers to Bach's strictly structured musical conventions to Michelangelo's David, set limits and sharper focus produce the best results. While the tendency is to add more people and more projects to find a solution, Epstein demonstrates that often progress is made by cutting back the distractions and using available knowledge to solve the key problems that slow production. We live in a world of information overload, and Epstein talks about the need for silence amid the onslaught of updates, unlimited choices, and the perils of multitasking. This is for anyone who has ever been overwhelmed in a grocery aisle.