Make Change Happen by Focusing on What You Can Control

I have just begun reading Steven Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, mainly because I have heard so many different opinions about the content in the book and Covey’s general standpoint on effective living.  I am interested to deduce for myself whether the content in the book is helpful, or is filled with superficial “band-aid” motivation as I have heard it described.

The first habit, which I just competed reading yesterday, is the habit of proactivity.  There is a concept in that chapter that I actually thought was very practical and helpful, yet often overlooked.  It is the difference between focusing your effort and energy within your “circle of concern” and your “circle of influence.”  The circle of influence comprises issues, situations, and problems that you have some degree of control over, while the circle of concern contains issues in which you can do little to affect the outcome of.  Covey argues that by focusing on your circle of concern, you will not make real progress in solving problems, but by accepting what you cannot change and focusing energy on aspects that you can, problems can be solved more effectively.

These concepts certainly aren’t new, but I do believe that most people, without keeping them in mind, can work themselves into a frenzy trying to figure out the unchangeable; spinning their wheels until there is no energy left to really focus on areas they can change.  This also leads to blaming problems on factors that cannot be controlled, and a lack of personal accountability when making decisions.

 

I believe that we are only doing more harm to ourselves by focusing on “if onlys” and “whys,” rather than proactively looking for solutions to problems by analyzing what we can control and then doing something about it.  Of course, it is far easier to stay stuck by blaming problems on external or environmental forces, but it is much more beneficial to our mental health and well-being to expand our circle of influence and find creative ways to change our circumstances. 

 

Even seemingly unchangeable factors can be dealt with effectively if we are proactive and look at them in new and creative ways.  I know I am guilty of agonizing about things over which I have little or no control, but today I challenge you to let those things go, increase your circle of influence, and find a way to solve problems by being proactive, creative and decisive, and really make change happen!

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