Master the Three Circles of Your Life
Focus your energy where it matters most to find clarity, growth, and peace
Life throws a lot at us—some things we can change, others we can’t. How do we decide where to focus? By understanding the Circle of Control, the Circle of Influence, and the Circle of Acceptance, we can bring clarity and peace to our lives.
Circle of Control:
This is where your power lies. It includes things you can directly control, like your actions, thoughts, and decisions. For example, you can exercise, manage your time, or speak kindly. Focusing on this circle gives you the best results because you’re fully in charge.Circle of Influence:
These are things you can’t control but can affect, like your friends’ habits, workplace decisions, or your child’s attitude. Your words and actions might inspire change, but the final outcome isn’t up to you. Here, you influence without trying to dominate.Circle of Acceptance:
This is for everything beyond your control or influence, like the weather, global events, or someone else’s beliefs. Fighting these things only drains your energy. Instead, practicing acceptance lets you let go of frustration and focus on what matters.
Why These Circles Matter
When you focus too much on things outside your control, stress and overwhelm creep in. Shifting your attention to your Circle of Control helps you feel empowered. Meanwhile, growing your Circle of Influence is about building trust and connection. And your Circle of Acceptance? That’s your path to peace.
Reflect and Apply
What’s one thing you can work on in your Circle of Control today?
What’s a relationship you can influence positively?
What will you accept and let go of to lighten your mental load?
Start small. Peace and progress begin with focus.
PS: I’m doing a 45-minute lightning talk on goals for 2025 on January 11th at 7 a.m. Pacific Time. This is a free session offered on Maven, and I’d love to invite you to join live. You can register here. See you there!