Use Constraint
Burnout– A spiraling process of increasing inefficiencies. Losing a $h*+ ton of time and energy paired with a lack of awareness and resources to recoup. Time and energy leaks everywhere! That’s my own definition as it applies to us.
Constraint – for our purposes is a limitation or a restriction you put on yourself. Here’s a super quick exercise:
STOP: Repeat the words restriction and limitation to yourself ….
ASK: What does your brain have to say about these words?
Most people respond…
FU and your limitations- I can do what I want! (rebellious inner child)
Wait, I might miss out on something (FOMO)
It won’t be right, It won’t be enough (perfectionism)
All of this type of thinking causes massive indecision, non-committal, scattered energy and resistance.
That mindset (sometimes unconscious) causes a huge energy-drain on you and your brain.
Your brain likes answers. If you don’t give it a straight answer- It will keep asking and also keep endlessly searching for answers. It’s dreadfully exhausting. Creating limitations for yourself will give your brain a finite answer. I pack pretty much the same thing for lunch everyday and I don’t eat breakfast. It’s less to think about and plan for. I’m not saying everyone should contain in this way, but think of ways you are leaving things open ended, undecided. DECIDE and let it be.
Most people aren’t aware of how much energy your brain burns through in indecision, resistance and “keeping your options open.”
Mindset shift…
What if the strategy of constraint actually CREATES more time, energy and freedom in your life?
Constraint involves the challenge of simplifying and going all in on one thing and not entertaining other options for a set amount of time.
Two recommendations for use of constraint
1) Constrain Time- set clear limits on the time you will spend to accomplish something
Today, I gave myself 1 hour to write this article. My brain kept wanting to do more research, look up more terms, find more examples, eat popcorn. My brain wanted to indulge in my perfectionistic fantasies, day dreaming of all the ways I could write perfectly, use better words, punctuation, organize my content, ug.
All this means- I wouldn’t ever actually write this article.
Have you heard of Parkinson’s Law? It says work expands to fill the time available for its completion. If you don’t consciously decide to limit and constrain your time available for certain tasks, your tasks will expand and seem like they are never ending.
I set the time. Did the work. It’s not perfect, but it’s out and available in the world.
Is burnout or overwhelm keeping your gifts hidden from the world?
2) Constrain activities and stuff
Believe me, I’ve gone head first down the TpT (Teachers pay Teachers) rabbit hole. I could spend days buying and making activities, but I limit myself to only prepare the materials I already have and only then, decide if I need anything else. For the most part-I don’t. I know how to make any activity therapeutic.
What if you only use what you have? It puts you in some uncomfortable “make it work” moments, but I encourage you to let yourself be a little uncomfortable. What you gain in return is worth it.
The strategic by-product of constraint is increased capability, confidence, more time, more energy.
True story though: I love TpT! I also love lessonpix. (so. much. brilliance.)
Constraint saves brain energy, time and allows you to apply THAT energy/time- to your priorities which we worked on last week.
Can you see how consistently applying constraint can eventually create your life EXACTLY the way you want it? Sign up for a free consultation for personal help with this.
