There’s a lot going on in the world right now. Climate, economy, politics, people doing things that make no sense. You can’t scroll, switch on the news, or show up to a meeting without being hit by something outside your control.
But here’s the thing we need to remember – always:
You only control you.
Not the headlines. Not your boss. Not your partner. Not what the economy is doing.
Just you.
That might sound simple, but it’s where your real power sits. And the minute you take full ownership of that, everything changes.
We Waste So Much Energy on What We Can’t Change
Stephen Covey introduced a concept called the Circle of Concern and Circle of Influence, and it remains one of the most useful mindset tools in leadership today.
Here’s how it works:
- Your Circle of Concern includes all the things you care about – global events, the economy, your team’s behaviour, someone else’s opinion, what your boss is like, how someone will respond to a conversation that needs to be had.
- Inside that is your Circle of Influence – the things you can affect, like your relationships, legacy, personal brand, positioning, systems, culture, and how you behave in conversations, and how you show up every day.
- And at the very centre is what many leaders now call the Circle of Control – your mindset, attitude, beliefs, thoughts, your focus, your actions.
This is where I choose to put my energy, because the more I strengthen this core, the more influence I build around me. I encourage my clients to do the same.
Many people waste energy in the Circle of Concern – worrying, blaming, venting, overthinking things they have zero control over. They react to what is going on, rather than respond. And honestly? It becomes a convenient excuse to stay small and safe.
True leadership?
It starts at the centre – with what you can control. And from there, it ripples outward. This is where we are proactive, intentional and purposeful.
When you shift your focus inward, you stop spinning. You stop handing your power away.
You gain clarity. You move with intention. And that’s when real momentum kicks in.
I Hear a Lot of Excuses
I hear it from leaders all the time:
“I can’t help it, that’s just how my team is.”
“The economy is hard.”
“There’s too much going on right now.”
“They need to change first.”
“It’s not fair.”
“What’s the point?”
Some of that may be true. But, what’s sitting behind all of that?
Disempowerment.
When you rely on other people or external events to change in order for you to take action, you’re handing over the steering wheel of your life. And that’s a dangerous place to be, especially as a leader.
Because leadership is not about control. It’s about responsibility.
And you are responsible for you. Always.
This Is Where Choice Comes In
You can’t control how someone else behaves.
You can’t control the economy.
You can’t control the past.
But you can choose how you show up in the face of it. You can choose your mindset, your energy, your actions.
That’s the shift.
Excuses pull you below the line.
Choice pulls you back above it.
You always have a choice. Even when things are messy. Even when it’s hard. Especially then.
So, What Can You Actually Control?
- How you respond instead of react
- What you focus your attention on
- How you treat others
- What stories you tell yourself
- The habits you commit to
- Whether you step up or sit back
- How you position yourself and use your voice
- What you choose to say yes – and no to
You don’t need to fix the world. But you do need to own your part in it.
And the more you do that, the more influence you actually create.
And the more people do that, the better this world will be
Leadership Starts Here
Whether you’re leading a team, a family, or just trying to get through the week, it all starts with how you lead yourself.
You don’t have to like what’s happening around you. But you do get to decide how you respond to it.
And that response? That’s everything.
Because when you take full responsibility for what’s in your control- and stop wasting time on what’s not- you stop waiting. You stop blaming. You stop making excuses.
And you start leading.
From the inside out.