Life constantly demands decisions, with individuals making up to 35,000 choices daily, as noted by Eva Krockow, a lecturer at the University of Leicester. These range from trivial to significant, yet all consume a finite resource: our energy. A common pitfall is focusing on the uncontrollable, such as attempting to change others or outcomes beyond our reach, which only leads to wasted time and energy.

A portion of those daily decisions are related to things we have no control over, that time and energy is wasted. I don’t have time and energy to waste … Do you?

Recognizing what is within our control is crucial for success and personal growth. It demands discernment to distinguish between controllable and uncontrollable factors, coupled with the discipline to focus solely on the former. This approach not only conserves energy but also fosters personal development and happiness.

Many spend their time trying to influence others instead of focusing on self-improvement. Yet, we have full command over several fundamental aspects that require zero talent but can greatly benefit from improvement, such as punctuality, effort, enthusiasm, attitude, passion, body language, coachability, going the extra mile, preparedness, and work ethic.

Jordan Peterson encapsulates the journey towards self-improvement by asking, “I’m insufficient, what can I do about it?” The path to discipline and wisdom is through focusing on what we can control.

3 Daily Steps to Establishing the Discipline of Controlling the Controllables

1. Morning Reflection: Start your day by identifying three controllable elements for the day ahead. This could be your attitude, your effort in a given task, or how you plan to communicate with others. Setting these intentions helps prioritize your energy.

2. Evening Review: Conclude each day by reflecting on how well you adhered to focusing on the controllables. Were there moments you found yourself distracted by the uncontrollable? Acknowledging these moments helps in recognizing patterns and areas for improvement.

3. Set Specific Goals: For aspects under your control, set specific, actionable goals. For instance, if your aim is to improve punctuality, set a goal to arrive five minutes early for every appointment. If you’re working on maintaining a positive attitude, identify a mantra to repeat during challenging situations. Tracking progress in these areas can instil a sense of accomplishment and encourage further discipline.

By intentionally focusing on controllable aspects of our daily lives and reviewing our actions, we cultivate the discipline necessary for personal growth and success. This focus on what we can control will make a life changing difference in anyone’s life.

Expect to Win!

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