Inside the box : how constraints make us better / David Epstein.
"How to do more with less and use limits to achieve greater creativity, innovation, and success, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Range We live in a world that gives us seemingly infinite choices and values freedom above all else. We have an unprecedented number of options regarding what to do, who to be, and how to spend our time. All that choice is wonderful; it is also overwhelming. The irony is that total freedom can be paralyzing, and unlimited resources don't necessarily lead to the biggest breakthroughs. In fact, overvaluing complete freedom can be disastrous for everything from starting a company to harnessing creativity to finding personal satisfaction. David Epstein argues that all of us--individuals, businesses, institutions, even societies--can benefit from narrowing our options. He dives into the science and practice of constraints, exploring exactly when and how guardrails can be beneficial, whether we're working with limited resources or using self-imposed boundaries to tap unexpected wells of focus and innovation. Original, galvanizing, and deeply researched, Inside the Box tells absorbing stories of people and organizations that embraced constraints to transform themselves, and the world-as well as a few that struggled from a lack of limits. Epstein celebrates the surprising potential of hard deadlines, boring goals, and unexpected obstacles. He reveals how boundaries create breakthroughs, and how setting the right constraints can help you become the most creative, productive, and satisfied version of yourself"-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780593715710
- ISBN: 0593715713
- Physical Description: xxvi, 278 pages ; 24 cm
- Publisher: New York : Riverhead Books, 2026.
- Copyright: ©2026
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-263) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- A textbook case of discovery -- How boundaries create breakthroughs. A world without limits ; A world with limits ; Limit-powered learning -- Creative constraints. The green eggs and ham effect ; Building a new box ; The remix of everything -- Where (and how) to focus. Designing for constraints -- Widen and bottleneck ; One things at a time -- Collaboration and contentment. The rules of the game ; Framing for invention -- Maximizing by satisficing.
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Available copies
- 9 of 26 copies available at NC Cardinal.
- 1 of 1 copy available at Brown Library System. (Show)
Holds
- 8 current holds with 26 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George H. & Laura E. Brown Library | 153.83 Eps (Text) | 30308101386069 | Adult New Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Albemarle Main Library | 153.83 Eps (Text) | 31010000928053 | Adult New Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Cumberland Headquarters | CMB1989455 (Text) | CMB1989457 | Technical Services | In process | - |
| East Regional Library | CMB1989455 (Text) | CMB1989456 | Technical Services | In process | - |
| Goldsboro Library | 153.83 EPS (Text) | 900005000343110 | Adult New Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Harnett County Main Library | 153.83 Eps (Text) | 33630005528604 | Adult Nonfiction | Checked out | 07/21/2026 |
| Haywood County Main Library | 153.83 Epstein (Text) | 33115007718582 | Adult New Nonfiction | Checked out | 08/06/2026 |
| Henderson Main Branch | 153.83 E (Text) | 33258010591337 | Adult New Nonfiction | Checked out | 08/08/2026 |
| Hope Mills Library | CMB1989455 (Text) | CMB1989455 | Technical Services | In process | - |
| Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library | 158.83 E (Text) | 39149008587990 | Adult New Nonfiction | Available | - |
Accessibility Features
Summary:
"How to do more with less and use limits to achieve greater creativity, innovation, and success, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Range We live in a world that gives us seemingly infinite choices and values freedom above all else. We have an unprecedented number of options regarding what to do, who to be, and how to spend our time. All that choice is wonderful; it is also overwhelming. The irony is that total freedom can be paralyzing, and unlimited resources don't necessarily lead to the biggest breakthroughs. In fact, overvaluing complete freedom can be disastrous for everything from starting a company to harnessing creativity to finding personal satisfaction. David Epstein argues that all of us--individuals, businesses, institutions, even societies--can benefit from narrowing our options. He dives into the science and practice of constraints, exploring exactly when and how guardrails can be beneficial, whether we're working with limited resources or using self-imposed boundaries to tap unexpected wells of focus and innovation. Original, galvanizing, and deeply researched, Inside the Box tells absorbing stories of people and organizations that embraced constraints to transform themselves, and the world-as well as a few that struggled from a lack of limits. Epstein celebrates the surprising potential of hard deadlines, boring goals, and unexpected obstacles. He reveals how boundaries create breakthroughs, and how setting the right constraints can help you become the most creative, productive, and satisfied version of yourself"--
