Most everyone I talk to these days is tired.
We are experiencing Covid fatigue, election burnout,
economic worries and indecision on what to do for Thanksgiving and the holidays.
So many of the concerns around these issues are out of our control-
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• When will a vaccine go to market?
• When will I be able to get it?
• How much longer will the election continue without a concession?
• What happens if I can’t pay my employees or if I lose my job?
• How much longer will I be on Zoom calls?
When we focus on the areas that are out of our control,
we lose energy and our power.
Instead, I want to encourage you to start focusing on what is in your control,
or, at the least, your circle of influence.
Try this exercise.
Choose a situation that is stressing you out.
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• Draw a target.
• In the bullseye ?, write down all the things that are within your control.
(Don’t forget to include your attitude. ?)
• In the next outer ring, write down all the things that are within your circle of influence.
They are not within your control, but you can influence them.
• Then go to the outer circle. Write down all the things about this situation
that are out of your control. Keep thinking- I’m sure there are more!
As you step back and look at your diagram,
notice where you are putting your attention
and energy.
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• Are you focusing on the things out of your control?
• What things could move from one circle to the other?
• What if you started to focus on the bullseye and what is in your control?
I invite you to implement this exercise around a situation that is stressing you out,
to do with your children when they are worrying about something or
to diagram with your team when they are concerned about a change.
Even getting it out of your head and on paper is powerful because it allows you
to step back and see the situation from a different perspective.
As you become aware of where you are targeting your thoughts,
you can choose to shift them to areas where you have more control.
Then you will truly be more centered!