Control the Controllables

From our Motiv8ing Ideas Archive

"We all have inconveniences of one kind or another.
How you deal with them
ultimately determines how successful you are."
Craig McFarlane
(blind motivational speaker)

When confronted with frustrating situations or difficult circumstances, it is so easy to be drawn in to expending energy on the "problem"...and particularly on those aspects of the "problem" that we can do nothing about.
Sadly, that is such a waste of our precious personal energy.

"Control the Controllables" is a personal way of thinking that can really help divert this wasted energy into productive energy.
The way it works is this: whenever you find yourself spending your energy (thoughts, words, and/or actions) on being frustrated, angry, or stressed by something that you can not control (for example, being stuck in a traffic jam, not receiving a reply to an e-mail, etc.), ask yourself "What helpful things do I control about xxx (the situation)?".
Initially you may think "nothing"; however persist with the question until you identify the first thing that you personally control.
Then ask yourself again "What other helpful things do I control about xxx?" until you have identified at least five things you do control.
At that point, put your energy into these five things, rather than the frustration, anger or stress.

This takes practice, however it does work, and can become a way of living, a way of thinking, a way of attitude and stress control.
Instead of feeling 'out of control' in situations, try using Control the Controllables to put yourself back in control!

"While we may not be able to control all that happens to us,
we can control what happens inside us."
Benjamin Franklin

"If you are patient in one moment of anger,
you will escape a hundred days of sorrow."
(Chinese proverb)