Lately I have been thinking a lot about personal limits and limitations. It started by reading Stretch Out of Your Comfort Zone from Tao of Simplicity. I linked to this a few weeks ago in a Sites to See issue. A summary of the article is to continually stretch outside your comfort zone, exercising your skills and abilities the way you would one of your muscles. With each attempt your comfort zone will broaden.
I started trying to identify the boundaries of my comfort zones. I tried to notice where I put limitations on myself. I realized something far from what I had intended.
I need more limitations!
I first started looking at where I was afraid to learn something new. I am not afraid in most cases. If I think it will be of benefit to me or my family in some way, I’m willing to explore it. My limits usually seemed to be imposed on me in some way.
- Financial limitations
- Time constraints
- Emotional availability
- Physical capability
I realized that I was already overextended in each of these areas. Over the past couple of weeks it has been very apparent just how much I have over committed myself.
In order for me to explore outside of my comfort zones and gain anything new, I first needed to do some cutting back. Several of my projects are coming to an end and will automatically free up room in all of the categories. I am going to hang in there until the end. Then I am going to be diligent about imposing more limitations on the rest of our activities.
There are several things I can do to cut back.
If cutting back in some areas will give me freedom for other things, I can find several ways to make some improvements.
- I can remember that it is OK to say no.
- I can remember to ask for help.
- I can look for ways to be more frugal.
- I am far from perfect, but there are areas where I self impose overly high standards. Even if I relax them just a little, it will pay off elsewhere.
- I can take look for ways to take care of us that include more inexpensive ways to replenish and exercise.
I realized that even though I try to be frugal, there are still unnecessary things I splurge on that I could do or get half as often without any of us feeling deprived. There are several things we can stretch out between occurrences. There are several things I can do myself instead of paying someone else to do it.
At the same time there are several things we would be better off hiring someone to do instead of us doing it ourselves just to save money. Tasks that cost us more in time, physical strain and emotional stress than we have available. Like the picture suggests, I need to quit attempting the impossible and learn to accept my limitations.
What are your limits?
I wonder, especially with today’s economic situation, if you are as stretched in all of these areas as I am? Have you stretched outside your comfort zone? Where do you see your boundaries and limits? What types of things are you doing to try to reduce in each of these areas? Will you share your stories, tips and suggestions with the rest of us?
photo credit: demotivators:limitations by surrealpenguin
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