Lessons in Leadership: 3 Steps for Focusing Your Energy – Part 3 of 3

In our first two posts in this series, we discussed how energy levels can affect our ability to focus. We also reviewed the differences in our areas of Control, Influence, and No Control.

Now we give you an easy to implement plan when facing these different situations. Here are 3 steps for focusing on your goals.

There are some words of wisdom we’ve learned that can help anyone to be happier and more productive in the three areas of Control, Influence, and No Control.

 

1. In the area of Control the words are: Do it!

If you believe something needs to be done or changed, and you believe it to be in an area of control for you, then do it! Don’t wait, don’t hesitate, just get it done. You’ll most likely feel much better when you get the change implemented, the task accomplished, or the problem solved.

So do it!

2. In the area of Influence the words are: Be nice!

You will consistently have more influence with others as you interact with them when you are nice. Being pushy or insensitive over a situation may make you feel better in the short term but it will most likely make the other person feel worse.

So, if you want to be more successful in opportunities of influence and would even like to increase the size of your area of influence then … please be nice to everyone!

3. In the area of No Control the words are: Get over it!

If you think something needs to be changed and you try to change it but you can’t, it might be that the issue is actually in someone else’s area of control. If this is true, your best alternative is to attempt to influence the person or situation. Still, if you attempt to influence and you’re nice and the situation still doesn’t change what should you do?

We recommend you do what we do. Get over it!

We’ve all seen other people in similar situations worry, fret, and complain until they actually complicate matters even more. What’s the value in that? As we’ve suggested earlier, negative emotions and attitudes are actually a drain on others and ourselves.

If there is nothing you can do to change or influence the situation at the moment the best, most effective and most positive course of action is to just … get over it! Besides, you can always readdress the issue if you discover you’re in a more influential position in the future.

But for the time being, it simply makes more sense and puts you in a better position to serve your own plans if you just, for now anyway, get over it and refocus on the things you CAN control or influence.

Whether a situation is within your control, something you can influence, or is completely out of your control, you now have three ways of approaching your work or project or problem. By using one of these 3 steps for focusing your energy, you can accomplish more and reach your goals.