Referring to the subject of constraints, Ronald Reagan once said that,
“There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.”
Yes, constraints are a way of life and no matter how hard we try, they always keep cropping up in the most unlikeliest of ways. Look around you, there are so many people in your lives who are creating constraints for you every single day.
Your boss demands superior performance from you and for that you have to listen to loads of bantering and suffer the wrath of the boss’s temperamental side. You’re constrained from taking any action.
Your clients want top notch delivery and they are literally breathing down your neck; you’re constrained.
Your spouse feels you do not pay any attention to them and they stop talking to you; you’re constrained here again.
Your kids, your family and basically the entire environment and society in which you live in is a continuous source of constraints.
So, what do you do? How do you deal with it? In this post, we shall see 3 ways in which you can change your outlook towards these constraints and try to use them to your advantage instead of simply ruing their presence in your life.
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Constraints results in adjacency which results in innovation
Let’s suppose you live in a huge mansion with 20 bedrooms, hundreds of square feet of space and with only 3 members of the family living in that house. Just imagine, the number of times these members would be interacting with one another. Compare that to another scenario where the same family is inhabiting a household of just a few hundred square feet, let’s say 500 square feet. The amount of interactions instantly shoot up, the members are literally bumping into one another throughout the day. There is a constant struggle for space and who gets to do what. Sometimes, it even leads to tension but it also leads to problem solving and finding the best possible solution to the problems.
This is what has been and is still happening in the best business corporations the world over. They’re embracing the open office space culture wherein all employees including the bosses sit in open bays rather than cabins. The employees are allowed more break times, leisure time for frivolous activies to improve the chances of interactions and thereby resulting in some form of innovation.
Today’s Advice Constraints leads to proximity which leads to innovation .
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Constraints can help you in getting quick assessments
While working with limited resources, the clients or the key stake holders would be keeping a close watch on you. This constant vigil actually results in increased efficiency in the output. When we keep restricting our timelines, our resources and our circle of influence, it results in getting more amount of work done and ultimately leads to a professional finish to the task. This aspect is expertly utilized by the manager of the biggest sporting clubs around the world.
Today’s Advice Constraints get you quick Feedback . -
Constraints can aid in the creation process
Although we hate a constrained life and would love to luxuriate in all things easy and attainable, constraints are actually the doorway to creating something which is magical, mind-boggling and utterly creative, all at the same time.The best example for this is the novel Gadsby which has been authored by Ernest Vincent Wright. The book is a story which has over 50,000 words but written without the letter ‘e’. Imagine writing even 100 words without the letter ‘e’.We’ve all heard the famous adage,But we must remember that it is only when we constrict ourselves to the box, that we’re actually able to think of ways of getting outside the box.Today’s Advice Constraints can aid in the process of Creation .
Beautiful post! Awesome three tips, loved the way you explained each of them with very suitable examples.
Hi Jay,
That was quite a detailed article.Nice one. Liked the way u summarized the benefits of a constraint……thankfully I don't have such constraints in my life….:)
Nice one Jay . will try to implement those tips . Thanks for sharing .
great article π
Nice post on how we can use constraints to our advantage. You are right, only when we are in the box can we think of pushing the envelope and getting out of it. Good to see the positive side of the picture π
Even constrains have a silver lining, it is the way we look at it. very nice subject to write on and very informative and effective post.
Jay, you have touched upon an important issue that affects every individual on an everyday basis and have given good examples to illustrate how to come out of constraints. As long as we take constraints positively, we do find very good solutions and better ways of dealing with situations that confine us.
Nice post! A must read!
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Hi Jay..
One more feather added in your cap.. π
I hereby nominate your blog for the Liebster Award. Visit my post and you know what to do… to collect your award π Congratulations..!
http://ratnibbles.blogspot.in/2013/02/and-the-award-goes-to.html
Hello Jay. That is really a wonderful post. We can use constraints to our advantage. ABSOLUTE TRUTH. In fact, constraints is just the other word for opportunities.
Nice Read buddy. Keep writing. π
great post
Thank you for the feedback Valli, glad you could connect with the article π
Thank you very much Bushra for your lovely feedback.
Good to hear that constraints are absent from your life, ensure you keep it that way. π
Indeed, do try to imbibe them into your day-to-day , Vishal.
Thanks for sharing your feedback with me. π
Glad you liked it Saikat, your feedback is always welcomed π
I'm happy that you paid attention to that point, in our everyday lives, we tend to underestimate the situation of being holed up in a box.
Thank you so much for dropping by and sharing your valuable feedback Arti π
Yes, you've summed it up quite nicely Meenakshi. π
Thank you for the lovely feedback. π π
Yes, things need to be seen in the light of positive attitude, else even the simplest of things become negative and complicated.
Glad you liked it and thank you for sharing your thoughts and your feedback Fayaz π
Thank you very much for this humbling feedback Rohan. I'm glad you liked it so much.
Do share this with others in your circle if you found this post worthwhile. π
Keep visiting π
Ohh Wow, what an honor, my cap will start to tear with all those feathers. π
You've made my day with this Liebster. Thank you so much for this gesture π
Yes, you've brought out the positive side of the post quite aptly Deepak.
Your feedback is always warmly welcomed on this blog. Thanks a lot. π
Thank you very much for your feedback Ali π
Hi Jay Singh
i had read entire post , generally i am not preferring to read whole post i just go through the main points only. But the way you presented topic, your energy is motivating me to go thought each line of your post
thank you, happy blogging
Regards,
Umesh Tarsariya
Wonderful analysis.
Actually as you say constraints are not bad-they lead to innovation,resource utilization & hard work.
Nice post JAY.
Good one.. If not all the three, at least one would work for each of us.. π
Thanks for commenting on my blog…… I cannot get the same bunch of flower…. Its not near my home…. But thanks for the suggestion and I will like to try with some other bunch….
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Hey Jay,
A very nice read.
Yes, Problems make us strong. and at least the second one I am sure is the best advice for me.:P
Himani
http://itjusthappenandthen.blogspot.in/
Hi I am a new follower to your lovely blog and i feel pleasure meeting new bloggers like you. I would love it if you follow me back
my blog: http://www.wilsontom.blogspot.com
Your way of illustration is just amazing…describing through real situations..great insights. π
Indeed, I'm delighted to hear that Umesh. Thank you so much for taking out your valuable time and giving your feedback as well.
Do keep visiting Umesh π
Thank you very much Rajesh for the wonderful feedback π π
Indeed, Indu, you've summed it up quite correctly. Constraints have a brighter side to them as well, they teach us quite a lot of valuable lessons.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your views and your feedback as well π π
Yes, you've correctly pointed that out. Thank you very much for the feedback Vaisali π
Do keep visiting π
Yes, don't worry Debopam, you're a good photographer, keep up the spirit.
Looking forward to some magical shots captured by you.
Thanks for dropping by. π
Glad you liked it Himani. You've got that one right. I hope you make constraints your best friends and move forward.
Thank you so much for the feedback and sharing your views here. π
Glad to have you here Wilson. Thank you so much for the lovely feedback. π
Heading over to your place to follow you back π
Do keep visiting π
Welcome to my blog Namrata. That is humbling feedback for me. Glad you liked it so much.
Thank you so much for dropping by.
Do keep visiting π
Very good tips , Jay.
Thank you very much for your feedback, I'm glad that you liked them, Suhas. π
I like the helpful information you provide in your Π°rticles.
I'll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I'm
quite Ρertain I will learn manΡ new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
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