Brian Eno is a world renowned musician, songwriter, and record producer. Many would consider him to be a genius. It’s his unconventional methods that have made him so influential and innovative.
I recently heard about a strategy that he used in the studio while producing a record that seems counterintuitive but worked for the moment. It seems that the band he was working with was stuck while trying to record a specific song. Several days went by with no progress on the song. Eno walked into the studio and split the room in half using blue painters tape, announcing that the musicians could only use instruments on one side of the room.
While this seems like it would limit the musician’s creativity, it was the limitation necessary to help them move past being stuck. The band was able to make progress with the song only after they were given the informal constraint.
Limitations often help when we get stuck. When I’ve found myself in a writing rut, I’ll often challenge myself with a word limit to help me get unstuck. Can I communicate my thoughts in just 200 words? In 100 words? In only 20 words? It’s usually exactly what I need to get me through the moment.
When you are feeling stuck, break out the blue painter’s tape. Create an artificial restraint. Make up a deadline, or split the room in half and eliminate some of your usual tools.
Do whatever you have to do to get unstuck.
Sometimes the constraint will make the work better.
Rich
