Your circle of control

For the thoughts that keep your brain busy when you'd rather be doing something else

The circle of control helps you sort what's on your mind into three groups, so you can spend your energy where it actually makes a difference.

Outside your control (0)

Influence (0)

Control
0

Each circle keeps count as you sort your thoughts in step 2.

Control - things you can decide or do yourself.
Influence - things you can't decide alone, but you can make the change you want more likely.
Outside your control - things you can't change, however much you think about them.

1. Get it out of your head

Start messy. Add everything that's on your mind - big, small, sensible or not. One thing at a time.

2. Sort it into the circles

Reflect on each one, then choose which circle it belongs in. Not sure? Ask yourself: can I decide this myself? Can I make the change I want more likely? Neither? Then it sits outside your control.

3. Decide what's next

💭 Which one thing from your Control circle could you try this week?

💭 Pick something from Influence. What's one small step that would make the change you want more likely?

💭 What could you set down for now - and how would you like to respond to it instead?

If it doesn't work out, that's data, not failure. You can come back and add to your circles whenever your brain brings up something new (usually at the least convenient moment).

Keep what you've written
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