There are too many possibilities. For most of us, that’s a problem and the main reason why we don’t get started. So, when we’re staring into the infinity of the blank page, how do we begin? 

Start with limitations. 

For example; if I simply asked you to write a book, your mind would likely swirl through multiple scenarios without anchoring onto anything concrete. Now imagine, if I asked you to write a children’s book about a group of baby superhero’s who have a friend that isn’t super, but they all use their powers in different ways in an effort to convince him that he is powerful so that he fits in with the group — oh, and it has to be less than 27 pages — your mind would quickly get to work.

As soon as your mind understands the limitations it automatically starts figuring out a way forward. 

For most of us, with our fast internet connection and empty google search boxes, we can find anything. There are no restrictions. And that is the problem. We’ve become paralyzed by the possibilities of what we can do, to the point that we do nothing.

Matthew May, wrote in The Laws of Subtraction to “give yourself some intentional restriction in life and you’ll finally get inspired to act.” It sounds antithetical at first, but restrictions can set you free.