One of the hardest tasks leaders face is determining where their influence and control end. Admittedly, this statement likely reflects my strong desire for control more than anything else, but I still believe it has merit and is worth the reminder for many leaders.
In the past week, I’ve spoken with school leaders who shared numerous challenges occurring in their districts, schools, and lives, which are beyond their control. Beyond this, the world is experiencing significant turmoil. Whether we’re talking about something happening in our local community or the broader world, spending time and energy focusing on all the things we can’t control can really begin to eat at us, if we let it.
In an attempt to combat this, I wanted to offer a timeless truth I first learned about from Victor Frankl via Stephen Covey, the author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Frankl, a Holocaust Survivor and author of Only My Life, teaches us about attitudinal value, which focuses on how we respond to that which life brings us – particularly in its most difficult moments. Covey expands upon this and challenges us to focus on our Circle of Influence rather than our Circle of Concern. His argument, rightly, reminds us that by focusing on all the things that concern us, but which we have no power to influence, we decrease our own power and agency to affect change. On the other hand, when we concentrate on what we can influence, irrespective of our concerns, we naturally expand the scope of our influence. Take a look at the image below:
If all of that is a bit too heavy for you, allow me to offer you these simple thoughts:
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 (The Serenity Prayer).
There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone (Marcus Aurelius).
Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it (Kahlil Gibran).
If you can’t do anything about it, don’t worry about it (Jeanne Calment).
Success at anything will always come down to this: focus and effort. And we control both (Dwayne Johnson).
Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t (Steve Maraboli).
I hope you’ll take one of these thoughts with you as re-enter what Teddy Roosevelt would have called The Arena.
Choose to be Great!
Angelo
CHOOSE TO BE GREAT 