Focus On What You Can Control

When everything seems to be going wrong, it’s easy to feel like your life is spiraling out of control. The more you try to manage the situation, the more chaotic it becomes. But what if, instead of trying to control everything, you focused only on what you “can” control? This shift in focus can make a significant difference in how you handle tough situations.

Life is full of uncertainties, and many things happen that are beyond your control. You can’t change the past, predict the future, or dictate how others behave. When you focus too much on these uncontrollable factors, you can quickly become overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. The key to navigating difficult situations is to narrow your focus to the aspects that are within your power to change.

Before you can start to plan your success goals, there are many things that you need to understand before you can be sure that the goals you set are really the ones you want.

One of those things is to determine if there are any Limiting Beliefs that can stop you from actually achieving those goals.

I have a self-study Limiting Belief Program that you can go through to determine what your Limiting Beliefs are and how you can remove them.

You can read more and register for the program at Limiting Beliefs Program on my Confidence and Life Coaching website.

Start your journey on your path to success by identifying and removing your Limiting Beliefs so that you make the journey a lot easier.

You can download a free PDF containing five articles on Limiting Beliefs and how to overcome them and achieve things in your career and personal life.?

The PDF can be downloaded here (and you don’t have to register or provide an email address)?

Limiting Beliefs Download

Download the file and go over the other material that you can find on the Confidence and Life Coaching website.

Focusing on what you can control doesn’t mean you ignore the bigger picture or pretend that external factors don’t affect you. Instead, it’s about recognizing that while you may not have control over everything, you do have control over your actions, reactions, and mindset. This perspective shift allows you to channel your energy more effectively, making you feel more empowered and less helpless.

One of the most important areas you can control is your own response to a situation. When faced with adversity, you have the choice to react with panic and despair or with calm and determination. Your reaction can influence the outcome of the situation, even if the circumstances themselves remain unchanged. For example, if you lose your job, you can either focus on the fear of uncertainty or take proactive steps to find new opportunities. The choice is yours, and it can make all the difference.

Another area within your control is self-care. In challenging times, it’s easy to neglect your physical and mental well-being, but this is precisely when you need to prioritize it the most. Simple actions like getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, and engaging in regular exercise can help you maintain your energy and resilience. Taking care of your emotional health is equally important—whether through meditation, journaling, or talking to a trusted friend. By focusing on self-care, you ensure that you’re in the best possible state to handle whatever comes your way.

When you’re faced with a situation that seems out of control, it’s also helpful to break it down into smaller, more manageable parts. This allows you to focus on specific tasks or decisions that are within your control. For instance, if you’re dealing with a financial crisis, you may not be able to immediately solve the entire problem, but you can take steps like creating a budget, cutting unnecessary expenses, or seeking financial advice. By focusing on these smaller, actionable steps, you can gradually regain a sense of control over the situation.

Actionable Step: The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, make a list of everything that is worrying you. Then, go through the list and identify which items are within your control and which are not. For the items within your control, write down one or two specific actions you can take to address them. For the items outside your control, acknowledge them, but then consciously decide to let them go. This exercise will help you focus your energy on what you can change, rather than getting bogged down by what you can’t.

A common pitfall when dealing with difficult situations is trying to control everything. This can lead to frustration and burnout, as you expend energy on things that are ultimately beyond your reach. To avoid this, remind yourself that it’s okay to let go of the things you can’t control. This doesn’t mean you’re giving up; it means you’re wisely choosing where to direct your efforts.

Focusing on what you can control also helps you maintain a sense of agency during tough times. Instead of feeling like a victim of circumstances, you become an active participant in your own life. This mindset shift can reduce feelings of helplessness and increase your confidence in your ability to handle challenges. It’s a powerful way to reclaim your power and resilience, no matter what situation you’re facing.

As you navigate through life, remember that while you can’t control everything, you do have control over how you respond, how you take care of yourself, and how you approach the challenges before you. By focusing on these areas, you can make the best of any situation, turning even the most difficult moments into opportunities for growth and positive change.

Your comments to this article are always welcome.

To your success.

Michael

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P.P.S You can also subscribe to my biweekly newsletter: “Helping You to Live a Better Life” by visiting and registering at Newsletter.

P.P.P.S. You can register for the Limiting Beliefs self-paced program at Limiting Beliefs Program.

You can download a free PDF containing five articles on Limiting Beliefs and how to overcome them and achieve things in your career and personal life.?

The PDF can be downloaded here (and you don’t have to register or provide an email address)?

Limiting Beliefs Download

Download the file and go over the other material that you can find on the Confidence and Life Coaching website.