Taking Control: A Worksheet for Identifying and Managing What You Can Influence
Feeling overwhelmed? Lost in a sea of things you can't control? This worksheet is designed to help you regain a sense of agency and focus your energy where it matters most: on the things you can control. By identifying and prioritizing controllable aspects of your life, you can reduce stress, increase productivity, and cultivate a greater sense of personal power.
Part 1: Identifying Areas of Your Life
Before we delve into specifics, let's brainstorm the main areas of your life. Think broadly! This isn't about small details, but about overarching categories. Examples include:
- Health: Physical fitness, diet, sleep, mental wellbeing
- Work/School: Your performance, your attitude, your learning strategies
- Relationships: Your communication style, your boundaries, your efforts to connect
- Finances: Your spending habits, your budgeting, your saving strategies
- Personal Growth: Your learning, your self-reflection, your pursuit of goals
List at least five key areas of your life in the space below:
Part 2: Sorting Controllable and Uncontrollable Factors
Now, let's analyze each area. For each area you listed above, brainstorm both factors you can control and factors you cannot control. Be honest with yourself! Sometimes, accepting what we can't control is the first step towards managing what we can.
Example:
Area: Work/School
Things I CAN Control: My effort, my attitude, my time management, my preparation for exams/projects, my seeking of help when needed.
Things I CANNOT Control: My professor's grading, my classmates' behavior, unforeseen circumstances (like illness), the overall economic climate, company policy changes (if applicable).
Use the table below to complete this exercise for each of your five areas:
| Area of Life | Things I CAN Control | Things I CANNOT Control |
|---|---|---|
| 1. _______________ | ||
| 2. _______________ | ||
| 3. _______________ | ||
| 4. _______________ | ----------------------------------------------------------- | |
| 5. _______________ |
Part 3: Action Planning for Controllable Factors
Now that you've identified what you can control, let's create an action plan. Choose one area from your list above and select two controllable factors you want to focus on.
Chosen Area: _______________
Controllable Factor 1: _______________
Action Steps:
Controllable Factor 2: _______________
Action Steps:
Part 4: Regular Review and Adjustment
This isn't a one-time exercise. Regularly review your list and your action plan. Things change, priorities shift, and new challenges arise. Be flexible and adapt your plan as needed. The key is to consistently focus your energy on what you can control to create the life you want.
This worksheet provides a foundation. You can adapt it to your own needs and preferences. Remember, focusing on what you can control empowers you to navigate life's complexities with greater resilience and effectiveness.
