How to Focus on Controllable Variables

As a pilot, there are countless variables beyond my control: I cannot control the weather. I cannot dictate the traffic at my destination. I cannot fix an engine problem. I cannot just pull over on a cloud ;-) Just as in aviation, life presents us with many factors outside our influence. In high-performance aircraft, every ounce of energy must be purposeful – there's no room for wasted effort. Successful pilots focus exclusively on what they can control, letting go of what they cannot. Michael Gervais, a renowned performance psychologist, identifies four elements within our control: our thoughts, our actions, our effort, and our attitude. Like a pilot's checklist, these four elements serve as our framework for personal navigation. Think of it this way: A skilled pilot doesn't waste time lamenting bad weather – they focus on adapting their flight plan, maintaining their aircraft, and making sound decisions. In life, we must do the same. Tonight, take out a piece of paper. Write down everything that's weighing on your mind – every worry, every concern, every fear. Now, with the precision of a pilot performing a pre-flight inspection, examine each item. Ask yourself: "Do I have direct control over this?" Be ruthlessly honest. If the answer is no, draw a line through it. Watch as you free yourself from the burden of trying to control the uncontrollable. For the items that remain – the ones within your sphere of influence – these are your flight controls. These are where your energy belongs. These are what will actually move you forward. Will you continue to drain your energy fighting circumstances as unchangeable as the weather? Or will you take the controls and focus on what you can actually influence? The choice is yours. Your energy is precious – choose carefully where you spend it.

From My First Banking Class to the Boardroom: The Power of Focus! "Some lessons fade with time. Others grow louder, the further you go in your career. This one has been my compass for 20+ years." I still remember sitting in my very first entry-level banking class. The trainer drew two circles on the board: ✨ A large one labelled Circle of Influence ✨ A smaller one inside it labelled Circle of Control The lesson was simple: ✨ The more you focus on what you can control, the more you grow your influence. The more you fixate on what’s beyond your control, the smaller your influence becomes.” At the time, it felt like one of those neat little theories; nice for class but far removed from the daily realities of banking. Fast forward two decades, countless projects, and more than a few crises later, and I now know this: This isn’t just a theory. It’s a survival skill. In leadership, there will always be external and internal factors such as market shifts, policy changes, competitor moves, team dynamics, that are beyond your direct control. But there are also things you can always control: 🎗️ Your decisions 🎗️ Your preparation 🎗️ Your response to challenges 🎗️ Your ability to lead with clarity, even in uncertainty When you focus on these, your influence grows. People notice. Trust builds. Opportunities open. The circles I learned about in that classroom have become a quiet compass in my professional life. They’ve helped me navigate many storms, reminding me that influence is not about controlling everything, but about mastering what you can. So, here’s my reflection: ✅ Know your Circle of Control. ✅ Expand your Circle of Influence through consistent, values-driven action. ✅ Let go of what is outside both, and you’ll find more energy, clarity, and impact. #LeadershipLessons #GrowthMindset #GoBeyondLimits #CareerWisdom #mentorship #

Most CSMs give away way too much power ... without realizing it. I still see folks bucket things like: ❌ Exec turnover ❌ Low adoption ❌ Budget cut …into the “uncontrollable” category. I disagree. Exec turnover? Yes, someone left. But if you: ✅ Built multiple champions ✅ Socialized value consistently ✅ Documented outcomes ✅ Engaged quickly with the new leader (with a plan) …you still hold influence over the outcome. Low adoption? Yes, you trained them and gave resources. But did you: ✅ Truly understand why they aren’t using it? ✅ Identify blockers inside their workflows? ✅ Align the product to their changing priorities? If not, you’ve left opportunity, and control, on the table. Budget cut? Yes, budgets got cut. But did you: ✅ Show ROI in terms their CFO cares about? ✅ Tie your product directly to revenue protection or cost savings? ✅ Partner with multiple stakeholders beyond your day-to-day contact? These moves change the conversation from “we can’t afford this” to “we can’t afford to lose this.” As a CSM or CS Leader here's how to go deeper before you label something uncontrollable: 1️⃣ Map the Variables – List every factor that influences the outcome. 2️⃣ Highlight the Levers – Identify which of those you can still influence. 3️⃣ Plan the Moves – Build 2–3 plays that could shift the outcome. 4️⃣ Act & Measure – Execute quickly, track the impact, and adjust. In Customer Success, we often hover too close to the surface. We confuse effort with influence. The truth? There’s far more within your control than you probably realize. Stop surrendering outcomes before you’ve exhausted your levers.

In audit, one of the most underrated skills is knowing what not to fight. Not everything is within our control: management reactions, politics, resistance, or whether recommendations are accepted immediately. And that’s okay. High-performing auditors don’t waste energy chasing outcomes they cannot control. They focus on execution they can stand behind. What is within our control: The quality of our audit planning and risk assessment The depth of analysis and strength of evidence Professional judgment and independence Clear, balanced communication of findings Practical, implementable recommendations Consistent follow-up and issue tracking Audit impact is not defined by how well we are liked but by clarity, credibility, and courage. When we focus on controllables, trust follows — not because of authority, but because of integrity. #InternalAudit #AuditLeadership #RiskManagement #Governance #ProfessionalJudgment #AuditValue #ContinuousImprovement

Job searching can be incredibly discouraging, but it becomes even more frustrating when you find yourself fixating on the things you have no control over… There are so many aspects of the job search process that are out of your hands, but dwelling on these uncontrollable factors isn’t going to move your job search forward. In all actuality, the job search only gets harder when you fixate on things like: Reasons for rejection Geographic restrictions Work-from-home policies Length of interview processes Size of compensation packages Qualifications of your competition Hiring manager preferences or biases Job market conditions or industry trends Timing or quantity of suitable opportunities  Company culture or internal group dynamics Instead, it’s crucial to shift your focus to the actions and decisions that are within your control, because these are the areas where real positive change can happen. As challenging as it might be, do your best to focus on the controllable aspects of the process, like: Determining your target roles and ideal companies Pacing and consistency of your job search efforts Branding yourself effectively for target audience Deciding whether to apply for a particular role Increasing your visibility by engaging online Adjusting your strategies based on results Organizing and tracking all applications  Continuing to grow your relevant skills Preparing thoroughly for interviews Tailoring resume and cover letters Networking with industry peers Following-up after interviews Keeping a resilient mindset Negotiating higher salary If you can concentrate your time and energy on the things you can control, rather than the things that are beyond your influence, you can increase your chances of success and feel more empowered throughout the job search process! #jobsearchadvice #jobsearching

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by external factors like market trends, organisational changes, world events or even a traffic jam and late trains - and of course by the actions of others. One thing that works for me is to embrace the concept of the "Circle of Control and Influence". The Circle of Control includes aspects we have direct influence over—our actions, reactions, and decisions. The Circle of Influence encompasses areas we can affect but not control, such as team dynamics or company policies. Beyond these lies the Circle of Concern, which includes factors that may worry us but are truly beyond our influence. Research supports the benefits of focusing on our Circle of Control. A study by Dr. Robert Emmons published in *Psychological Science* found that individuals who concentrate on their personal goals and what they can directly control experience higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction. This aligns with findings from the *Journal of Applied Psychology*, which revealed that employees who focus on controllable factors report lower stress levels and improved performance outcomes. Furthermore, research from the University of California, Berkeley, highlights that individuals who practice what’s known as "cognitive reappraisal," a strategy that involves reframing how we think about stressors, can significantly enhance their emotional resilience. This technique helps shift our focus back to what we can manage, fostering a proactive rather than reactive mindset. Here are a few strategies to stay focused: 1. 💡Set Clear Goals: Identify specific, actionable goals within your Circle of Control. For example, instead of worrying about market fluctuations, focus on enhancing your skills or improving team collaboration. 2. 💡Practice Mindfulness:Engage in mindfulness practices to regularly reflect on your thoughts and feelings. This can help redirect your focus toward manageable aspects of your work. 3. 💡Communicate Effectively: Encourage open communication with your team, keeping discussions centered on actionable items rather than uncertainties outside your influence. Research shows that teams with clear communication experience higher engagement and productivity. 4. 💡Embrace Flexibility: Adaptability is key. Research from the Harvard Business Review indicates that professionals who are open to change and can pivot their focus toward controllable tasks are more successful in navigating challenges. By embracing this approach at work, we not only enhance our productivity but also cultivate a more positive workplace culture. Have a try, put your energy into what you can control and influence, and empower yourself and your teams to thrive. I am currently standing on the train platform with severe delays. I could get really stressed, but would that help the train to arrive faster ? Instead I put my energy into writing this post and making use of the time.

I was once a young sales executive, full of ambition and eagerness but lacking in the fine art of emotional discipline. Early in my career, my sales leader and mentor, David Covington, pulled me aside and shared some wisdom with me. He said, Worry about the things you can control, not about the things you can't. At the time, I was too busy juggling tasks to fully grasp the simplicity and power of his words. But as I navigated through the retail jungle, his advice became my compass. Here's why it matters in the world of retail sales: Focus on Your Sphere of Influence: → Spend energy on crafting irresistible sales pitches and nurturing relationships with customers. → Let go of the frustration over market trends or competitor moves that are beyond your reach. Manage Your Resources Wisely: → When developing sales and promotional plans, allocate your time and budget where it can make the most impact. → Worrying about external factors only drains your resources and diverts your focus. Empower Your Team: → Encourage them to adopt the same mindset. → It fosters a culture of proactivity and resilience, allowing them to shine in their roles. Adaptability is Key: → Recognize when to pivot your strategies. → Being adaptable is within your control, and it's crucial in the ever-changing landscape of retail. David's advice is not just a mantra. It's a strategy for success. If you're a sales executive, whether seasoned or new, take this to heart: Your energy is your most valuable asset. Use it wisely. What aspect of your work do you need to focus on today? Remember, control what you can, and let the rest unfold.

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend time with a group of executives working on a regional project. One phrase that came up repeatedly was: control your controllables. Although this was said in the context of regional development, it’s incredibly applicable to startups as well. In startup land, it’s easy to worry about competitors, the government, or other external factors that may or may not happen. Of course, it’s human nature to do so. But if you take a step back and sort out what’s within your control and what’s outside of it, things become much clearer. You realize there are a tremendous number of actions you can take regardless of what happens around you. Take sales as an example. Naturally, the sales team wants to close a certain amount of revenue each month or quarter to hit quota and move the startup forward. The challenge with measuring purely on output is that output is driven by inputs—many of which include factors outside of your control. So let’s look at sales through the lens of control your controllables. Can we guarantee a certain amount of revenue? No. Can we guarantee a certain number of phone calls and prospect follow-ups? Absolutely. Can we guarantee that every inbound lead will be followed up on within a set amount of time? Absolutely. Can we guarantee consistent outreach to key partners so we stay top-of-mind in the market? Absolutely. In this simple example, we know that sales has measurable inputs: the number of phone calls, follow-ups, demos, proposals sent, and deals won. The deeper you go into the funnel, the more outcomes are outside of your control. But by consistently executing the inputs, you significantly increase the likelihood of hitting the outputs. Entrepreneurs would do well to remember this: control your controllables. What’s within your power? What’s outside of it? How can you keep your team focused on what they can control—and not distracted by what they can’t? At the end of the day, entrepreneurs must control their controllables.

If you want to achieve your goals, focus more on what you put in than on what you get out. We fixate on outcomes: landing that client, hitting that sales target, getting that promotion. But we can't always control outcomes. We can only control our actions. For example, I may never have finished my books if I fixated on writing a bestseller. Instead, I focused on showing up every day to research and write. Now, I’ve written two. You regain control by zeroing in on your inputs—the time and effort you invest. You take a step toward becoming indistractable because you're focused on the only thing you truly can manage: your own actions. For your next big goal, forget the outcome. Instead, define the daily actions that will move you forward. Then, commit to those actions, come what may. You can't guarantee success, but you can guarantee effort. 📌If you liked this post, you should: 

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Stop obsessing about what you can't control. (7 powerful ways to focus on what you can) We've all seen those circles of control. We understand the concept. But here's the truth: Understanding isn't enough. Staying focused on what's in our control is like a muscle. You don't develop it by looking at it. You build it through daily practice. 7 ways to strengthen your control muscle: 1. Master The Pause ↳ Between trigger and response lies your power ↳ Take a deep breath before reacting 👉 Your response is always your choice 2. Reframe Your Questions ↳ Not: "Why are they doing this to me?" ↳ But: "What can I do about it now?" 👉 Questions drive focus 3. Track Your Control Leaks ↳ Notice when you spiral into powerlessness ↳ Document these moments in your journal daily 👉 Awareness precedes change 4. Shift From Image to Impact ↳ Less: "What will they think?" ↳ More: "How can I be useful?" 👉 Impact outlasts impression 5. Upgrade Your Self-Talk ↳ You can't control others' words ↳ But you control your inner voice 👉 Be your own best ally 6. Master Your Minutes ↳ Time flows regardless ↳ Your use of it is your choice 👉 Small choices, big impact 7. Choose Your Communication ↳ Can't control their reaction ↳ Can control your message 👉 Clear beats clever Leadership concepts are everywhere. But application is rare. 🔑Here's how to start applying daily in just 2 minutes. Intention + Practice + Self-Evaluation = Effective behavior Intention: ↳ Start your day with a clear goal. ↳ Where can I apply this [specific behavior] today? Self-Evaluation: ↳ End your day by rating yourself from 0 to 10. ↳ Did I do my best today to [specific behavior] ? Your move: - Start with one behavior. - Practice it for the next 30 days. - Move to another one. - Build your muscle. ♻️ Share this with someone building their leadership muscle 🔔 Follow Dror Allouche for more practical leadership insights ** Image Credit: Adam Grant