5 Examples of the Mindset That Will Help you get Better Results With Less Stress
Focussing my energy and effort towards things that I can change, my "circle of influence", has helped me get better results and chill out about things that may otherwise stress me out.
The idea pioneered by Stephen Covey is so powerful we dedicated an entire Master Series to the concept.
A "circle of influence" is a concept from Stephen Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." It refers to the things that a person can directly influence or control, as opposed to the "circle of concern," which encompasses things that a person may be concerned about but cannot directly influence or control.
"The only thing you can control is your attitude toward what is beyond your control." - John C. Maxwell.
Benefits to focusing on one's "circle of influence".
There are several benefits to focusing on one's "circle of influence" instead of one's "circle of concern." Here are a few:
- Increased control: By focusing on what you can influence or control, you can take action and make changes in your life rather than feeling helpless or frustrated by things outside your control.
- A Greater sense of purpose: By focusing on what you can influence, you can align your actions and goals with your values and priorities, giving you a greater sense of purpose and fulfilment.
- Increased effectiveness: By focusing on what you can control, you can prioritize your efforts and use your resources more effectively to achieve your goals.
- Reduced stress and anxiety: By focusing on what you can control, you can reduce the amount of stress and anxiety caused by worrying about things outside your control.
- Better relationships: By focusing on understanding and influencing others, you can improve your relationships and create mutually beneficial solutions and outcomes.
- Greater self-awareness: By focusing on what you can control, you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and actions, leading to greater self-awareness and personal growth.
- Better results: By focusing on what you can control, you can achieve better results in all areas of your life because you are using your energy and resources effectively and efficiently.
"You can't change the wind, but you can adjust your sails." - Proverb.
Examples of "circle of influence."
Here are a few examples of how someone might use the concept of "circle of influence" in a work setting:
- A manager is frustrated with the low productivity of her team. Instead of dwelling on the fact that she can't control the work ethic of her employees, she focuses on what she can control and influence, such as creating a positive work environment, setting clear goals, and providing training and support.
- An employee is unhappy with the company's lack of opportunities for advancement. Instead of focusing on the company's promotion policies, which are outside of his control, he focuses on what he can control and influence, such as developing his skills, networking with other professionals, and creating a solid reputation within the company.
- A team struggles to meet a deadline due to a lack of communication. Instead of blaming other team members, they focus on what they can control and influence, such as setting clear communication protocols and schedules and regularly checking in with each other to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- An employee is facing a demanding customer. Instead of getting defensive or upset, the employee focuses on what he can control and influence, such as listening actively to the customer's concerns, using empathetic language and finding a solution that meets the customer's needs.
- A manager is dealing with a problematic employee. Instead of getting angry or frustrated, the manager focuses on what he can control and influence, such as setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and creating an environment of trust and support.
About Stephen Covey
Stephen Covey was an American author, businessman, and keynote speaker. He was best known for his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," which has sold over 25 million copies worldwide and is available in 38 languages. The book is one of the most influential personal and professional development books.
Covey was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1932 and graduated from the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. He later earned an MBA and a Doctor of Religious Education from Brigham Young University.
Throughout his career, Covey was a consultant and trainer for many organizations and was a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and events.
He passed away in 2012, but his ideas and teachings continue to be widely recognized and used by people worldwide.
Why "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" is so important.
The main themes that millions of people have used in Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" are:
- Be proactive: Take responsibility for your own life and decisions rather than being passive or reactive.
- Begin with the end in mind: Set clear goals and clearly understand what you want to achieve.
- Put first things first: Prioritize the important things in your life and work on them rather than getting bogged down in less important tasks.
- Think win-win: Focus on creating mutually beneficial solutions and relationships rather than seeing success as a zero-sum game.
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood: Listen actively to others and try to understand their perspectives before communicating your own.
- Synergize: Work well with others and create an environment of trust, cooperation and collaboration.
- Sharpen the Saw: Take care of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health to maintain balance and effectiveness in your personal and professional life.