“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
– John Wooden, 10-Time National Champion Basketball Coach
There are many things in life we have no control over.
The weather, the economy, our genetics, the family and socioeconomic background we are born into, what other people say and do. These are all things we can’t completely control and this list could go on and on.
Yet, most of us spend an excessive amount of time and energy worrying, stressing, or complaining about the things we can’t control.
Not only is it a waste of time and energy to focus on the things you can do nothing about, but it also takes away time and energy from the things you can do something about—the very things that can make your life better right now and in the future.
Things we can’t control will constantly be fighting for our attention, but we need to have the discipline to quickly shift our focus back to the things we can control.
One of the keys to a happy and successful life is focusing as much as possible on the things you do have control over. The things you can actually do something about.
The life you live is primarily determined by what you focus on. Make sure you’re focusing on the things you can control. Namely, your effort and your attitude in the present moment.
Winning Self-Talk
(Try repeating the following affirmation to yourself as often as possible over the next seven days. Notice how it changes your mindset.)
“I focus on only the things I have total control over: my effort and my attitude.”
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