Circle of Concern vs. Circle of Influence: What are you choosing to focus on?

I made a choice recently, to focus on my Circle of Influence (or what I can control) - rather than my Circle of Concern (the many things that concern me, but have outcomes/results I can neither influence nor control).

It is a choice that has changed my life.

Many times, we obsess about the things we can not influence or control. We obsess about what people say about us, rather than focus on how we can lead better lives on an everyday basis. We obsess about the rain, rather than buy an umbrella and get on with life. We obsess about what we will do when we have money :), rather than take steps to make money.

According to Stephen R. Covey, truly "proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about... Reactive people, on the other hand, focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern. They focus on the weakness of other people, the problems in the environment, and the circumstances over which they have no control".

Next time you find yourself starting to moan about a situation or circumstance - ask yourself first, is there something I can do (or cause others to do) about this situation - and just do it. If there isn't, accept the situation and move on.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference." - Reinold Neibuhr.

Cheers to the Weekend!
Koye