So, you’re going to transform your life.  I’m transforming mine! What’s holding you back?  Well, nothing, actually.  You can do whatever you want.  The sky’s the limit.  Go for it.

But wait.  I can’t just up and leave, chasing my dreams without regard for anyone or anything.  There are some constraints that apply here.

First of all, my non-negotiables are self-imposed restraints.  For me they are spiritual convictions, my wife, my daughter, and my dog.  (Yes, my dog)  But what else is there?

A constraint is something that holds you back.  Don’t let it.  Let’s identify what constraints are and what can be done with some of them.  Here’s what I came up with:

  • Previous fiscal responsibility.  Home mortgage, student loan, home equity loan, stuff like that.  What we owe now can limit our transformation plans, so just plan within your means.  Stretch a little if you have to.  Begin to find ways to cut down, or cut out, some of these debts.  Adam Baker may have some suggestions for you.
  • Limited “Transformation” budget.  Budget can limit just about anyone but it doesn’t have to be an excuse.  So I’m keeping myself in check on spending and being accountable to my wife.  Everyone should be accountable to someone.  Eventually I will begin making money from this blog (and ask you to buy something).  Fair warning, but it will be worth it for both of us.
  • Age.  I’m 52 right now.  Later on I’ll be 53.  It kinda works in succession.  But why should this be a restraint?  A few years as I was 4-wheeling up towards Hagerman’s Pass in Colorado high country, a long way away from civilization, I met a man in his 60’s (and his grandson who was on a bike).  He was running, training for a race.  I think it had something to do with Pike’s Peak.  Obviously age wasn’t holding him back.  Why should it hold anyone back?  It’s never too late to change.
  • Health.  Actually, I’m pretty healthy right now.  I am on a daily cholesterol reducing pill (probably for the rest of my life) but that doesn’t slow me down any.  So this is really no restraint to me at all.  Especially when I see people in wheelchairs doing marathons or think of Aron Ralston who still climbs even after losing a limb.  Health wise, I have no complaints and no reason to use my health as an excuse.
  • Fear.  This is a biggie for me.  I admit that I am a fearful person.  I’m afraid of failure almost as much as I’m afraid of success.  I grew up learning to be fearful and never learning to be courageous.  Fear can be a huge restraint.  I like what Tim Ferriss says about fear in his book The 4-Hour Workweek, “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” I guess I’m starting to do it.  I’ll suck it up and face fear in the face.  (redundant and repetitive, and a little bit awkward)  Oh, here’s a great thought by Tom Peters, via Cody McKibben’s great website.  You’ve love it.  Splash.
  • Perfection.  I won’t do it unless I can do it perfectly.  Yeah, right.  I’m unhitching from this train of thought.  Now, I like to do things well.  I value good quality work, as anyone should.  But if I waited to be perfect in my blog posts, there would be any blog posts.  If I waited to perfect my plan before putting it into action, the plan would never take off.

Oh, and what about my non-negotiables?  Yeah, what about them?  Non-negotiables do not have to be restraints.  Take my wife, for example.  She is my non-negotiable but she is hardly a restraint.  She is one of my greatest supporters (in more ways than one).  I think of Chris Guillebeau who travels the world and yet has a wife fully supportive of his many expeditions.  (Buy his book.  It’s fantastic.) My 20-year-old daughter is a huge priority to me and she is thrilled to have me try new things.  More support!  Yay!  My dog.  Well, he is high maintenance at times, due to his condition.  That puts a few constraints on traveling, etc.  But he won’t hold me back.  He may even join me in some of my transformational endeavors.  Ah, yes, my spiritual convictions.  This is not a restraint but liberation.  Liberation and direction to be more of what I need to be.

I guess my constraints aren’t that bad after all.  So, what’s really holding me back?  Well, nothing.  We’ll see.  New constraints can come into play as actual goals are identified.  More on that in a later post.

So, what are some constraints you think are missing?  What are some of your own constraints?  What’s holding you back?  Comment.  Let me know.