There’s a lot of stress in the world right now. Some of it is understandable. But a surprising amount is self-inflicted. Caused by people pouring energy, anxiety, and anger into things they cannot and will not ever change. Traffic. The weather. Taxes. Airline delays. How others drive. What someone posted on social media. And at the very top of this list? Other people. You can’t control their beliefs, behaviors, or values. You can’t make them act the way you want. And yet, I see people carry an enormous emotional load trying to fix, manage, or correct these things. It doesn’t work. And it is killing them. Literally.
There’s another category where your time is better spent: the things you can influence.
These aren’t fully within your control, but you can impact them. A good example is your health. You can eat well, exercise, get sleep, and still get sick. If you can identify an area where your effort can make a difference, then do everything reasonably possible to move the situation in a better direction.
Then there’s what you can control.
It’s not a long list. Just two things: your thoughts and your behaviors. That’s it. Everything else lives in degrees of influence or outside your hands entirely. But don’t underestimate that list. The ability to manage your reactions, focus your attention, and choose how you act is one of the most powerful disciplines a person can build. It’s not easy.
What I try to teach is simple, but not easy. First, learn to see clearly.
What can you control? What can you impact? What’s outside your reach? Then, put your time and effort where it counts. Do everything you can to influence the areas that matter. But once you’ve done your part, let go. Holding on to things you can’t control doesn’t change them. It just erodes your energy and adds unnecessary pain.
Every minute you spend stuck in worry, anger, or frustration over things you can’t change is a minute of your life you never get back. You gain nothing, except stress. The real strength is in knowing where to focus and where to release. That is wisdom.
Six important ideas to make you more successful. I’m confident you’ll find it valuable.
This video is here to help you make 2025 a standout year. In it, I share six key insights about what you should focus on that will have a strong positive impact on your organization. In addition, I included my new frameworks for organizational excellence, winning culture, high-performance teams, and leadership.
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