What Is the Circle of Control (And How to Use It to Stop Feeling Powerless)

Have you ever felt powerless in a situation, as if everything was out of your control? It's a common feeling, especially in today's world, where so much seems to be happening around us that we can't influence. But there is a concept that can help you regain your sense of agency and focus your efforts on what you can control: the Circle of Control.

What Is the Circle of Control?

The Circle of Control is a concept developed by Stephen Covey in his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." It's a mental model that helps you categorize the things in your life based on whether you have control over them or not. The Circle of Control consists of three parts:

The Circle of Control: This is the innermost circle, and it contains the things that you have complete control over. These are the things that you can do something about, such as your thoughts, emotions, actions, and decisions.

The Circle of Influence: This is the middle circle, and it contains the things that you can influence but don't have complete control over. These are things like your relationships, your reputation, and your environment.

The Circle of Concern: This is the outermost circle, and it contains the things that you're concerned about but can't control. These are things like the weather, the economy, or other people's behavior.

How to Use the Circle of Control

The Circle of Control is a powerful tool because it helps you focus your attention and energy on the things that you can control. By doing so, you can reduce your stress and anxiety, increase your sense of agency, and become more effective in achieving your goals.

Here are some steps you can take to use the Circle of Control in your life:

Identify the things that are within your control: Start by making a list of the things that you have control over. These might include your habits, your attitude, your behavior, and your choices. Focus on these things and make a plan to improve them.

Recognize the things that are outside of your control: Make a separate list of the things that you're concerned about but can't control. These might include the actions of others, the weather, or the state of the economy. Recognize that these things are outside of your control and that worrying about them won't change anything.

Focus on your Circle of Control: Once you've identified the things that are within your control, focus your attention and energy on them. Make a plan to improve your habits, attitude, behavior, and choices. Take action and start making changes in your life.

Expand your Circle of Influence: While you can't control everything, there are things that you can influence. Focus on expanding your Circle of Influence by building relationships, improving your communication skills, and learning new things.

Let go of your Circle of Concern: Finally, let go of the things that are outside of your control. Accept that there are things that you can't change and focus on the things that you can. This will help you reduce your stress and anxiety and become more effective in achieving your goals.

Conclusion

The Circle of Control is a powerful concept that can help you regain your sense of agency and focus your efforts on the things that you can control. By identifying the things that are within your control, recognizing the things that are outside of your control, and focusing your attention and energy on your Circle of Control, you can reduce your stress and anxiety and become more effective in achieving your goals.