How to Focus on Controllable Variables

One of my favorite GiANT consulting tools is called “Controlling the Controllables.” It’s based on the premise that every leader faces multiple frustrations and challenges, each of which impacts their sense of relational peace and performance. I ask leaders to take a deep breath, reflect for a couple of minutes, and then write a list of all their current frustrations and challenges. Often, it’s quite therapeutic for someone to voice their frustrations out loud to someone who’s willing to listen. Here are some examples: • A key client leaving • The boss that never listens • A spouse that’s always away • Team members who are always off sick • Teenagers who are permanently on screens. Once they’ve completed their list, I ask them to decide which circle of the tool each frustration or challenge lives in. It’s amazing how much mental and emotional energy gets burnt on issues that they have no control over. So looking at the tool, let’s go through each of the different circles: The Inner Green Circle: The “bullseye” if you will, is the area where you have full control over… you have decision-making authority and responsibility. The outcome is largely decided by your actions. Hardly any of the leaders I’ve worked with struggle with the inner green circle. The Light Green Circle: The lighter green circle is where you have influence over the people who do have the decision-making authority. And because of that, you have an opportunity for your opinion and perspective to be heard. You don’t have the final say, but you do have a level of authority to influence the outcome. The Red Circle: The red circle is for the frustrations and challenges that you want solved, but don’t actually have any decision-making authority or influence over the outcome. I recommend you deal with items in the red circle in one of two ways: 1) Studied Neglect: Why would you waste energy, time, and effort trying to engage and control something that you ultimately have no control over? When leaders can see it visually and are able to talk through the amount of energy it’s consuming it’s far easier for them to let it go. 2) Increase your influence: If you focus on over-delivering in the areas you do have responsibility and authority over then your influence will increase. As your inner green circles expand your red circle will become smaller. A year from now you’ll find that you have influence over issues that are now sources of frustration. When things get stressful and you feel a sense of being overwhelmed, you can use the Controlling the Controllables tool to help put things into perspective and focus on the issues and challenges that will make the biggest difference. Too many leaders get fixated on issues they have no influence over, don’t let that be you! That’s all for today! If you found value in this post, follow me for more and repost so others can read.

Years ago, I played in a critical high school basketball game. Things were going well, but late in the 3rd quarter, the other team went on a huge run and took the lead. We were making dumb mistakes, the refs made questionable calls, their fans, and our fans, were yelling at us, and many on the team were pointing fingers...including myself. The environment was getting the best of us. During a crucial timeout, the coach looked at us in the eyes and said three words, "Control the controllables." I know he wasn't the first person to coin this phrase, but it has stuck with me ever since. The meaning, "Control the controllables" is simple...but the execution is extremely challenging. In essence, what our coach told us was to stop worrying about others' actions that included our opponent, the refs, the fans, and anything else we couldn't control. He told us to focus on the next play, our execution, our effort, and our belief that we would win the game. Well, we did win the game (why else would I share this story 😉 ) but more importantly, I learned a huge lesson that I still apply to myself and the agencies and insurance professionals I coach today. How often do you or the people in your agency focus on things that although they may be impactful, they have no control over? How much time, energy, and effort goes into anger, frustration, or anxiety that we waste on others' mistakes, feelings, or opinions, which in all truth, we can't change. Do others' actions impact you? Yes, but the bigger question is, do they control you? I challenge you this week, and every week, to place your focus on what you can control. Your attitude - How you approach situations Your effort - The energy you bring Your behavior - How you respond Your actions - What you do Take ownership of the things you can control. Make that your focus. Make that your priority. #leadership #action #insurance #growth 

A new, exciting opportunity is presented to you. What are you going to do about it? Heading into training camp for the UFL, Stoic philosopher Epictetus’ words echo loud. “To make the best of what is in our power, and take the rest as it occurs.” When presented with a new opportunity it’s easy to try to take control of the situation right way but Epictetus teaches us to be patient, to focus on the things that are within our control. What’s within our control? Our mindset, our thoughts, and our effort. There will always be circumstances that we can’t will into our favor and it’s best to focus our energy into the areas we can impact. While I could always control my mindset, thoughts, and effort trying to elicit my own power to things outside my control left me frustrated and emotionally drained. Sometimes you’re at the mercy of others. Not accepting that put me in bad positions, sometimes crushed between egos. It’s much better for your mentality to “take the rest as it occurs.” Rolling with the punches and accepting your lack of control can make you a happier, more productive person, ultimately leading you to where you want to go. My goal for this training camp is to live like a stoic and embody Epictetus words.

I’ve trained 10,000+ top-performing leaders in the past decade. Every effective leader I work with focuses on these 2 key areas: 1. Clearly Define The Destination An effective leader must create a compelling vision for the future and clearly articulate goals for the team. Do not operate aimlessly. Provide specifics: • A long-range target that’s three years out that rallies the team • No more than three Key Results for the next calendar year • The why for both - make it compelling! Without this clear destination, teams lack purpose and urgency. Defining the destination gives them a shared mission to work towards. 2. Remain Focused On The Controllables Once the destination is set, successful leaders maintain focus on aspects within their control, such as: • Model a no-excuses culture - resist the temptation to blame • Create an environment of trust between teams that foster collaboration • Define the mindset needed to deliver what we outlined in #1 above Avoid wasting energy on uncontrollable external variables. Expect endless obstacles and distractions. Remain steadfastly focused on the controllable factors within your reach. Shape these, and you shape the team's future. In short, leaders of high-performing teams create clarity, alignment, and movement. This focus rallies teams toward achieving a shared vision. With commitment in these two areas, you are on the path to effective leadership. --- If you enjoyed this, download the Syllabus for Lead In 30 - the leadership development training program that transforms leaders in just 30 days: https://www.leadin30.com