Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better

by David Epstein

How to do more with less and use limits to stimulate creativity, innovation, and collaboration, 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. 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 we can all 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 reveals how boundaries create breakthroughs, and how setting the right constraints can help you become the most creative, productive, and satisfied version of yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, and of the New York Times bestseller The Sports Gene. His next book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better, will be published on May 5, 2026. He has master's degrees in environmental science and journalism and has worked as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and investigative reporter for ProPublica.