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Use the Circle of Control to Stop Feeling Powerless
控制圈：重新掌控自己的生活

I am a staunch believer in the saying, "Strike a balance."However, I try not to dwell too much on events beyond my control.My gardener taught me that!

When I asked him how he knew that the plants would grow well, he replied, “I am good at what I do, but I am never sure if the plants would grow well.I can only control how I take care of them, not the outcome.I do my job well and then leave the rest to nature.”

In a way, he focuses on the Circle of Control.

Can you recall how many hours, days, or years we spend simply focusing on and worrying about things we can’t control?Just imagine how thinking like a gardener could bring tremendous positive change in our life?

If you want to stop feeling powerless and regain control in your life, then peruse this article with erudite information on how to use the circle of control to your advantage.

What Is the Circle of Control?

Stephen Covey’s book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People inspired this way of thinking where the focus must be on the circle of control.All issues, according to Covey, fall into one of two rings:

The Circle of Concern represents everything that troubles or concerns us.We don’t have much influence over these issues.

The Circle of Influence represents everything we can control or affect somehow.Your Circle of Influence is usually contained inside your Circle of Concern, leaving you with an area you are concerned about yet unable to alter.

The only thing you could control is the effort you put into it – just like my Gardner!

The model helps us identify where we should focus our time and energy.The inner circle is the Circle of Influence, and The outer circle is the Circle of Concern.When your Circle of Influence expands, the Circle of Concern shrinks, and conversely, when the Circle of Influence shrinks, the Circle of Concern expands.

Focusing your energy on things you can alter can help you make more effective adjustments.It increases your Circle of Influence.But when you focus your energy on things beyond your control, the Circle of Influence shrinks.

You need to focus your energy on things in your control.Things that you can influence and create an impact.These things demand your attention if you want to live a fulfilling life.Work on what you can and stop worrying about things that are not in your control.

A circle of control entails how you respond to external situations.Your thoughts, your attitude, and your enthusiasm are what form the circle of control.These are the things that you have the power to control.

If you want to live a life full of positivity, you need to expand your Circle of Control.This won’t be easy since you need to change your belief systems and way of life.

However, you can follow these steps to make things easier for you.

1. Find Your Purpose

When trying to expand your Circle of Control, you need to focus on finding your purpose.Whatever you believe in is your sense of purpose.Your driving force, motivation, and guiding light as you strive for a life that you believe would fulfill you.

2. Break Your Own Limiting Beliefs

Your belief system can be your greatest asset (or your greatest hindrance).If your belief system is limiting or biased, your growth will be limited.

If you want to enhance your circle of control, you need to expand your perspectives.You need to constantly challenge your thinking to check if there is any room to expand the sphere of influence.

3. Develop a Growth Mindset

There are numerous perks to developing a growth mindset.It encourages you to stay curious, keep learning, and turn obstacles into opportunities.Eventually, it would help you progressively expand the circles of influence and control.

Good happens when you focus all your energies on the positive facets of life.As a gist of the entire write-up, one needs to remember that when you learn to focus on the circle of control, you train your mind to develop a positive attitude towards life.