What is the One thing that would make the most difference in your life if you mastered it?

Congratulations– you’ve just identified your biggest constraint.

A constraint is a limitation or restriction that keeps you or your organization from moving to a higher level.

We all have constraints and make a choice to either live with them or conquer them.

Here’s a checklist to help you make an honest assessment…

Warning: It’s not easy to take an honest look at yourself. But staying stuck is even worse. Brace yourself and be brave.

Print it out this Constraints Checklist and put a checkmark next to everything that hinders you…

• Analysis Paralysis: An anti-pattern; the state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome.

• Waiting for the “Right Time.” It will never be the perfect time! Just take action!

• Fear of Commitment: It’s not just relationships people fear to commit to… it could be a deadline or even your own goals.

• (In)Decision Anxiety: Decisions make people afraid, so they make no decision. My friend, no decision is a decision to go nowhere.

• Lack of Confidence: This can keep you stuck in your comfort zone, and shackled to your current situation, afraid to take the action needed to create positive change.

• Perfectionism: Strive for progress, not perfection. Perfectionism is an excuse for procrastination.

• The sense of entitlement: The world doesn’t owe you a single thing. If you want something, earn it.

• Jealousy: Looking at what everyone else has with greedy, coveting eyes, build your own success.

• Over Competitiveness: Success depends on cooperating with others, and creating Win-Win situations. You can be a success without coming first or beating your enemies. Don’t make enemies, forge alliances.

• Lack of Creativity: If you don’t have imagination you are at a great disadvantage. Either develop your own creativity or collaborate with someone who has it.

• Procrastination: A very common problem and overcoming it often comes down to taking small, decisive actions and being accountable to others

• Defeat: Think of defeat as a learning process, not an excuse to quit.

• Paranoia: Regardless of what you imagine, the world is not conspiring against you. And even if it were, it wouldn’t help to believe it!

• Financial Mismanagement: We need to be grown-ups where money is concerned. If you’re bad at money management, partner with someone who can help you get good at it.

• Headstrong Personality: If people keep giving you the same criticisms… it’s not them, it’s you. Work on your overcoming your constraints instead of denying their existence.

• Disorganization: If you’re up to your eyeballs in clutter you’ll spend more time in lost productivity than you would be getting organized.

• Blurred Focus: You may call it multi-tasking but having a million opportunities or projects to juggle is inefficient. Prioritize and organize ruthlessly. Focus on one thing at a time and give each task your focused effort.

• Burdens: Don’t let your worries rule. Worry doesn’t eliminate problems, it eliminates peace.

• Interruptions: If you are constantly interrupted your tasks will take twice as long to complete. Turn off the phone and email… shut and lock your door, if necessary.

• Status quo: “Because it has always been done this way” is just plain dumb. Challenge the status quo and only keep that which demonstrably works.

• Control: If you are looking to increase your control or power, look very deep to understand why. People who want to control others usually can’t control themselves.

• Focus on the Negative: I left this last just to show that while my entire list is negative, it is best to turn negatives into positives! Look through this list, see what might apply to you, then work on reducing—then eliminating– these constraints from your life.

• Inspirational Quote

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” – Helen Keller

Scripture Verse 

“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Contributor: Harv Eker