789: The Counterintuitive Secret to Creativity and Focus, with David Epstein

David Epstein: Inside the Box

David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Range and The Sports Gene, both of which have been translated into more than 30 languages. He was previously the host of Slate‘s popular “How To!” podcast and a science and investigative reporter at ProPublica. His TED talks have been viewed more than 12 million times. His newest book is also a New York Times bestseller: Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better (Amazon, Bookshop)*.

It seems like we should be the most focused, creative, and innovative when we are the freest to do whatever we want. Turns out, it’s pretty much the exact opposite. In this conversation, David and I discuss why constraints make all the difference.

Key Points

• Myth: we are most creative and innovative when we are most free. In fact, it’s the opposite.

• Given complete freedom, we tend to follow the path of least resistance. The Einstellung effect: employing only familiar methods even if better ones are available.

• General Magic (the most important technology company that nobody’s ever heard of) had virtually no constraints and ultimately produced nothing.

• Write down hypotheses and make commitments visible before you begin. Give people agency in creating constraints.

• If your organization or team was being handed off to someone else tomorrow, what’s the first thing the new leader would change? Consider making that change now.

• To avoid over-indexing on constraints, ask this question: “Could I still surprise myself?”

Resources Mentioned

Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better • by David Epstein ( Amazon • , Bookshop • )*

Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

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How to Transform Your Limitations Into Advantages, with Mark Barden • (episode 207)

Help Your Brain Learn, with Lisa Feldman Barrett • (episode 513)

Get People Reading What You’re Sending, with Todd Rogers • (episode 666)

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