Embracing the Triple Constraint

Hi there!

Welcome back to the MoodiNews. Every Thursday, we discuss a variety of matters related to mental health and self-improvement.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Today, we will be discussing: THE TRIPLE CONSTRAINT! YAY!

In continuing our month-long series on goal-setting, today’s topic reviews a common problem that people often come across when attempting change.

This problem is called the triple constraint.

The triple constraint is a rule that says:

You can do things quickly, cheaply, or easily—pick two.

While this rule pretty much speaks for itself, here’s a recent example from my life that illustrates the triple constraint in action:

Currently, I’m in the process of building a YouTube channel and a social media following on Instagram and TikTok. Everyday, I see the triple constraint playing out as I attempt to build an online community on these platforms.

For instance, because I do not want to invest money in a content editor at this time (cheaply), and because I’m not very technologically gifted (easily), I know that building an online community is probably going to take me a while (not quickly).

Because I have chosen cheaply and easily as my path forward, I can therefore anticipate (because of the triple constraint) that I am going to have to sacrifice speed in the process.  

In therapy, I often see my clients run into the triple constraint when setting all kinds of goals for themselves around things like money, time management, lifestyle changes, etc.

Understanding the triple constraint becomes helpful for them, because it can offer some clarification as to WHY things are so difficult when they are attempting to change.

(Side note: Based off of personal experience, many people are constrained by money, which means that often they have to choose to sacrifice either time or effort when working towards a goal. That’s one major reason why change can feel so slow or laborious sometimes!)

In summation, as you are continuing to chip away at your New Year’s resolutions for 2024, keep the triple constraint in mind.

It might help to normalize some of the frustration that you experience when running into limited resources of time, energy, and money.

Furthermore, once you understand this rule, you will be able to strategize ways to compensate for its limitations in the future, which will increase your odds of achieving whatever goals you set for yourself long-term.