Do you find yourself stressed? Angry? Upset? Sad?
With everything going on this world over the past few months, I’d be surprised if you said No. Each of us has experienced some degree of “bad news” that has shaken us to our core. Some of us personally, some through close family members or friends, and some by the pandemic and other events going on all around us.
There has never been a time like this. How can anyone be at peace? Good question. Yet some are peaceful, happy or even thriving.
The difference may lie in what we focus on.
Author and Speaker Tony Robbins says, “What we focus on controls our emotions.” There is so much truth to that.
Here’s the main question for you – What are you focusing on? Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do you focus on what you have or what you lack?
So many of us focus on what we lack. It’s a natural response, but a response that leads to stress. For example, have you ever been driving on the highway and look at your gas gauge and see you’re just about on “E” - but you still have a long way to go? What’s stuck in your mind? The “E”! “I’m going to run out of gas! Why didn’t I notice earlier? I’ll be stranded!”
Rather we need to focus on what we have – still some gas in our car. And problem resolution. There’s an exit coming up in a couple of miles where there’s a gas station, and I have plenty of gas to get there.
Focusing on what we have will reduce our stress.
2. Are you focusing on what you can control or can’t control?
It’s so easy to get sucked into watching endless news coverage of things – like a pandemic – which we have very little or no control over.
You may not have any control over a spike in cases in a neighboring state – or even in your own city – but you can control how you protect yourself and those closest to you.
When you focus on what you can control, peace comes in – even if just a little.
3. Are you focused on the Past, the Present or the Future?
I know I often find myself focused on the past. Replaying bad decisions I made, what I should have said, or the chance I didn’t take. Unless I learn from the past, I find myself and my mood going in a downward spiral.
While its good to focus on the future – like setting goals or planning a fun vacation – so much can happen to derail us (helloooo Covid). If the future is our main focus, we can find ourselves going mentally in the wrong direction at any moment.
By focusing on the Present – what we can actually control right now – we are putting ourselves at the best chance for achieving peace in our lives.
So focus today on the things you have and those that you can control. And be sure to focus on things that bring you joy and peace. You deserve it.
If you’d like to talk to someone to help you work through what you’re focusing on, we’re here to help. Feel free to leave us a written message on the contact page or call us at 234-466-6274.