Are You Focusing on the Wrong Circle?

The Leadership Principle That Changes Everything

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the constant stream of problems, worries, and uncertainties we face. Whether it’s the state of the economy, political divisions, or the opinions of others, we often find ourselves fixating on things we can’t control. This can leave us feeling powerless, frustrated, and even stuck. But what if I told you there’s a way to break free from that cycle and reclaim your sense of influence and leadership?

It all comes down to two simple circles: the Circle of Concern and the Circle of Influence.

The Story of Dave: Stuck in the Circle of Concern

Meet Dave. A talented small business owner, Dave was passionate about his work but increasingly frustrated by circumstances outside his control. His sales were down due to economic conditions, employees were unmotivated, and his stress levels skyrocketed. Instead of focusing on what he could do to adapt or engage his team, Dave spent most of his energy worrying about the economy, his competitors, and what others thought of his business decisions.

The more Dave obsessed over these uncontrollable factors, the less effective he became at addressing the things he could actually change. His focus was fixed firmly on his Circle of Concern—all the external pressures that, while real, were beyond his direct influence. Over time, this left him feeling helpless and discouraged.

Dave’s story is common, but there’s a way out.

The Two Circles: Concern vs. Influence

Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, introduced the concept of these two circles.

• The Circle of Concern includes everything you care about, but can’t directly control—things like politics, natural disasters, or other people’s actions.
• The Circle of Influence includes what you can directly affect—your thoughts, behaviors, decisions, and relationships.

Covey emphasizes, “Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about. The nature of their energy is positive, enlarging and magnifying, causing their Circle of Influence to increase.”

Shift Your Focus to Grow Your Leadership

When we, like Dave, dwell in our Circle of Concern, our influence shrinks. But by shifting our focus to what we can control, our influence starts to grow.

Jordan Peterson, a well-known psychologist and thinker, says something similar in his book 12 Rules for Life: “Start to stop doing what you know to be wrong. Start stopping today.”

By shifting focus, you take responsibility for the things within your control. That could mean improving your leadership skills, making intentional decisions about your business, or investing in meaningful relationships. When you do this, not only do you become more effective, but you’ll often see your influence expanding into areas that used to concern you.

Dave’s Breakthrough: Choosing His Circle of Influence

Dave’s turning point came when he shifted his mindset. He realized that while he couldn’t change the economy, he could improve his product offerings and re-engage with his employees. By investing his time in solutions he could control, Dave regained a sense of empowerment. Slowly but surely, his Circle of Influence grew—sales started to rise, his team became more motivated, and his business became stronger.

How to Apply This to Your Life

So, how can you apply this principle to your leadership journey? Start by identifying where your energy is currently focused. Are you dwelling on things you can’t control? If so, take a step back, and start focusing on what you can change. By doing this, you’ll find that your influence and effectiveness as a leader grow.

Remember, as Covey put it: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

If you need support in developing this mindset, I’d love to help. As a life and leadership coach, I work with individuals to strengthen their leadership skills, focus on what they can control, and grow their influence.

Are you ready to shift your focus? Let’s work together.

✨ “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” — Stephen Covey ✨

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