Overwhelmed? Apply Temporary Constraints.

Overwhelm happens when we have too many choices.

The next time you feel it, try this — apply temporary constraints.

Examples:

• Limit the tasks you must do to just 3. (Everything else is bonus.)
• Limit the amount of time you work on something to 25 minutes.
• Limit to 1 type of person you’re speaking to in your marketing.

By temporarily limiting your options, you create relief from overwhelm, and more focus on the things that matter most.

Let’s explore a specific example:

What if I’m feeling overwhelmed with an upcoming course I am teaching… I have so many things I could teach, I’m not even sure where to start?

Apply a temporary constraint:

“If I could only teach 3 concepts or skills, what must I teach?”

As I write down the 3 things, I may even come up with more than 3, but at least by answering the question, I’ve gotten unstuck.

If I come up with too many ideas, I can further apply a constraint, and limit it to the 3 best things to teach.

This is applying a quantity constraint.