# limit the scope Too many options, too many variable, too many potential directions can be overwhelming. How do you choose to do something if you can do anything? Indecision and fear of moving in the wrong direction can lead to [[creative blocks]]. Give yourself some constraints. Limit the scope by locking down a few variables. Amazingly, creativity expands when most things are fixed and there are only a few different ways to play. You can do more with less. > The sophisticated artist will always seek out or impose restraints on himself as one of the few ways that a concept of unity and structure can be maintained in the face of the unrestricted choices that are characteristic of our time. > > — Charles Eames Kids are great at spontaneously inventing new games when they have only a few toys to play with. Put a group of kids together in one location, give them a ball and a stick, and they can come up with a game with rules and points and teams. The context matters based on location, available resources, and who is playing. Several rounds of [[iteration]]and variation happen as they figure out new and better ways to play their game. Of course, you can get frustrated with limited options if the scope is too limited. When that happens, you will need to [[expand the scope]] to find more ways to play. ## vary the variables A good methodical approach to creative design is to lock down all but a few variables and exhaustively explore possibilities. Then switch it up by opening a different variable and explore those possibilities. By working through a few rounds of different variables, you can easily generate many potential solutions. Themes and patterns will emerge over time by taking this analytical approach because [[quantity leads to quality]]. ## use a prompt to focus possibilities > The worst thing in the world is to be able to make anything you want, in any medium, according to any time frame—that's the perfect recipe for a creative block. A prompt instantly limits your options, forces you to think in a narrower groove. That's good for getting ideas flowing or clarifying preferences and goals. > > — [Mason Currey](https://substack.com/@masoncurrey) --- tags: #creativity #process home: [[! creative process]]