16/05/2023
Circle of Influence and Circle of Concern – Understand why it is important to apply a filter to our thought process
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It is essential to comprehend the significance of filtering our thought process into two distinct categories, namely the Circle of Influence and the Circle of Concern. By doing so, we can better understand the thoughts that we can take action on and those that we cannot, and allocate our energy and efforts accordingly to achieve success in our lives.
Success in life is something everyone strives for, but often it can feel like an unattainable goal. However, by taking a few moments for introspection and understanding the Circle of Influence, success can be more achievable.
The Circle of Influence is made up of thoughts and actions that are within our control, while the Circle of Concern includes those things that are outside of our control. By separating our thoughts into these two categories, we can focus our energy on the areas where we can make a difference and ignore those that we cannot.
For instance, if we feel envious of a classmate's academic success, we may be tempted to dwell on our disadvantageous circumstances. However, by recognizing that our parents' professions cannot be changed, we can redirect our thoughts towards actionable steps, such as seeking help from our teachers or revising our lessons. By doing this, we can turn our Circle of Concern into a Circle of Influence.
Similarly, if we fail at a task, we may feel discouraged. However, instead of fixating on the failure, we can identify the skills we do possess and focus on improving them. By doing this, we can increase our chances of success in the future.
The Circle of Influence can be applied to any aspect of life, from academic pursuits to personal relationships. By focusing on the things we can control, we can cultivate a sense of agency and self-efficacy, which are crucial components of success. (Sense of agency refers to the subjective feeling of being the initiator or controller of one's own actions and the resulting outcomes. It is the perception that one's actions have a causal relationship with the events that occur in their life, and that they have the ability to influence those events through their own actions. Similarly, self-efficacy is a related concept that refers to an individual's belief in their own ability to successfully perform a specific task or achieve a desired outcome. It is the perception of one's own competence and capability in achieving their goals, and can influence their motivation, behavior, and level of success)
It also helps to empty our Circle of Concern by not wasting our time and energy on things that are outside our control.
In a nutshell success in life is achievable by adopting the Circle of Influence approach. By focusing on what is within our control, we can take actionable steps towards our goals and avoid being overwhelmed by things we cannot change. So, let us take a moment to reflect on our thoughts and start channeling our energy towards our Circle of Influence.
