Restrictions will set you free

Someone says, “Write me a piece of music. Anything. No restrictions. Go!” You’re stumped. It’s the blank page syndrome. Instead, someone says, “Write me a piece of music using only a flute, ukulele, and this toy piano. You can only use the notes D, E, and B. It has to start quiet, get louder, then end quietly. Go!” Aha! Now that’s an inspiring challenge! You can use this approach for business, too. If you’re feeling stuck with marketing, give yourself restrictions. Contact fifty fans using only personal emails — no mass-mailing. Make a music video using only stock footage. Give promotion a time-limit of just 15 minutes per day. Spend a week only contacting people you’ve never contacted before. Whenever you’re feeling uninspired or unmotivated, use creative restrictions to set you free.