Take control when feeling powerless: Focus on what you CAN do
So much of day to day life can feel out of our hands and out of our control. Whether they are the bigger things or smaller things that create a sense of powerlessness, we can focus on what we do have control over to gain a sense of balance and increase confidence and motivation.
Think about the areas in your life that feel steady and at ease, and think about the areas that feel out of your control. When you identify the areas that feel out of your control, try not to focus all of your attention on what is out of your control and why. Focus on what IS within your control. What CAN you do? You may have more power and influence than you at first believe. There will always be areas and challenges that we cannot change. However, we can examine our thoughts, our reactions, our outlooks, and our behaviors. Gandhi once said, “Start changing yourself if you want to change the life around you.”
Thinking about those areas in your life that feel in control, what strengths can you pull from and implement in the areas that feel out of control? What did you DO and implement to create a sense of balance in those specific areas? Can you pull from those experiences and take action in the areas that feel out of control? What might that look like?
When I’m struggling with areas in my life that feel they might be getting the best of me, I will stop and tell myself, “I cannot change this exact situation. What can I DO to bring that sense of balance back into my life so I can continue moving forward?” You do have choices, even if the situation feels out of your hands.
Repeat this quote: “I’m only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” -Edward Everett Hale
