How Do You Leverage Constraints?

We are not omnipotent. Limitations are everywhere.

Take a moment to reread those two sentences above. How do they make you feel? They shouldn’t scare you or drive you into an existential crisis. They should seem familiar. Why? They encapsulate what you’ve experienced your entire life and represent part of what it means to be human. You don’t live forever, so your time is precious. You can’t have everything, so what you have is special. Living is the act of operating with constraints.

It’s important to resist the urge to ignore constraints, especially if you feel exceptionally encumbered. Disregarding a lack of time or resources won’t minimize how they impact your success. As the classic boxing adage goes, it’s the punch you don’t see coming that knocks you out. Similarly, you’re most vulnerable to constraints that you overlook. Stay curious and vigilant. Strive to be aware of every obstacle.

With a specific goal in mind, consider what steps you need to take to make progress. What’s preventing you from taking action? Pay closer attention to the things you can change than the things you cannot. Some constraints may be more malleable than others. These are the ones that you’ll be able to effect, should you choose to. Of course, it will not be free or easy. Overcoming any constraint will cost you. Furthermore, it’s rare to have only one constraint or even just a few. You‘ll probably have many constraints to consider and you’ll need to evaluate the tradeoffs. And there are always tradeoffs. Don’t fret. Consider the knock-on effects of each constraint and pinpoint bottlenecks in your process. Concentrate on finding core limitations to overcome. They’re the most advantageous.

Avoid hesitation when choosing which constraint to alleviate first. If you get stuck, remind yourself that there is no perfect option — just the best option given all the available alternatives. You can even fight fire with fire and impose a constraint on yourself. Say, “I must make a decision by today at noon” and do it. Remember that necessity is the mother of invention. When it’s imperative that you solve a problem, you’re forced to find clever solutions. Budgets guide us to spend less and save more. Deadlines help minimize waste and maximize productivity. Many artists leverage constraints to enhance their creative process. Find what works best for you and get started. You are the only thing holding yourself back.