Constraints are the Brief, not the Problem.

Ambitious, magical plans are usually vague. Cautious plans are usually specific. That's why the cautious ones actually happen.When I coach people on their career, I try to move them towards specific, actionable plans, with start and end dates. Those plans are much more likely to succeed. Listen to how people describe what they want next. The big version is always fuzzy. "Something more meaningful. More freedom. Work that matters. I have a dream to do X". Nobody can act on any of that, so nobody does.Then ask them about their constraints. "The bills. The partner's job. The school year. The visa."Suddenly everything is exact. People know those down to the month.The precision is already there. It's just pointing at the reasons not to move.Last week was about widening the list of things you could do. This is the opposite move, and you need both. Constraints are what turn a long list of options into a short list of starts.A brief is a list of restrictionsGive a designer a blank page and…