014 - Everyone wants more creativity in their Dungeons and Dragons Games. Cultivate more creativity through constraints. Constraints breed innovation and creativity.

If necessity is the mother of invention, then constraints are the authors of creativity.

https://engineeredadventures.com/constraintscreativity/

It may seem counterintuitive at first, but some of the most powerful works came from the innovations and creativities that came from constraints. You see, constraints limit your options, they make it possible to explore paths less traveled. Along those paths you discover new and innovative. 

Think about how when nearing a deadline how your work seems to flow. Consider the times when you’re about to hit budget and suddenly new options make things even better than the expensive alternatives. By leveraging smart constraints, you shape the box that lets your creative endeavors flourish. 

These are the 3 steps I have found to best utilize constraints to improve creativity in my Dungeons and Dragons games. 

1. Define your Goal
2. Define the constraints that focus your efforts toward the goal
3. Define the functional unit that will drive you to your goal