Focus Your Energy Where It Counts

One way to look at the things that stress us out is to sort them into three categories: (1) things I can control, (2) things I can influence, and (3) things that are outside my control and influence. We have a limited amount of energy, and if we're not careful it's easy to have that energy drained by the problems that are outside of our control or influence.

Try sorting your concerns into those three categories. When you're finished, look at the things that are outside your control and influence. Are there any that you can find a way to influence, or at least have a voice in? Sometimes we can't control a situation, but we can control how we choose to think or feel about the situation. Also look at the concerns that you can control or influence. See if you can think of one choice you could make to help with each one.