The Gift of Constraints (and the Wisdom They Unlock)
Constraints don’t limit creativity. They sharpen it.
That’s not just a clever phrase—it’s a leadership principle I’ve lived.
We tend to think that freedom means no limits, but the truth is: the right constraints are what give rise to our most creative solutions, our most intentional actions, and our deepest personal growth.
This week, as I reflected on insights from Never Play It Safe by Chase Jarvis, I was struck by the science-backed truth that constraints actually fuel innovation. Whether it’s limited time, scarce resources, or pressure-packed decisions, we often do our best work because of the boundaries—not in spite of them.
Personally, I’ve found that the most powerful constraint of all is perspective.
Throughout my post-military life, when people have thanked me for my service, I always respond, “It was my honor to serve.” Now, I genuinely and deeply mean that – for many reasons; perhaps most for the gift of perspective my time in the U.S. Army gave me. I often share that gift of perspective with my family through a lesson I like to call, “putting on your spiritual glasses.” Seeing things through a different lens has helped me reframe difficult or painful experiences in life and leadership, including some of the trauma I brought back from combat.
Those glasses act as a constraint.
They keep me from spiraling in emotion.
They anchor me to truth.
They allow me to ask, What might God be trying to teach me here?
They turn my pain into wisdom.
And here’s the connection I want to make for you today:
That kind of mental constraint—whether it’s a daily discipline, a guiding principle, or even a prayerful pause—is often what allows us to see more clearly.
It slows the rush of intuition just enough to let us interpret the feeling, not just react to it.
It helps us feel, but then frame—to be emotionally present but also spiritually grounded.
Steady Action Steps:
Pick a purposeful constraint. It could be a routine, a question you ask yourself, or a daily reflection. Use it as a boundary that brings you clarity before you choose to act.
Put on your "spiritual glasses." When stress rises or uncertainty clouds your vision, pause and reframe the moment through God’s truth.
Don’t fear your intuition—interpret it. That gut feeling may be real, but it’s a signal, not the decision. Step back, slow down, and let wisdom speak.
When you learn to work within wise constraints, you’ll find greater focus, deeper peace, and exercise more effective leadership.
Stay steady,
Schuyler
Written by Schuyler Williamson
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God Bless!
~ Schuyler Williamson