Focus On Things Within My Control

posted by   Ian Wyatt   |    September 25, 2008

Posted in   Work Life Balance   |   Comments

 In business, as in life, I've learned the importance of focusing on those things that are within my control.

Last night I was speaking with my fiancée Carrie and she told me that the Weather.com forecast calls for cold weather and a chance of rain on our fast approaching wedding day, October 4. She and I are, not surprisingly, concerned about the weather on our big day, since rescheduling the event isn't really an option. (I checked Accuweather when I got home, which forecasts sunny weather with clouds on the same day).

Later in the evening over beers and snacks with my good friend Brandon at the Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan (Washington DC), we were talking about the turmoil in the economy and the stock market, and what that means for my business. I told him these are challenging times for lots of businesses, ours included. And that we've seen a slow down in advertising and subscription sales as a result of the volatility and uncertainty in the market and our economy. We talked about how these events make now a particularly inconvenient time for me to be out of the office for four weeks for my wedding and honeymoon. But when is a convenient time for a one month break? I actually think now is a good time to be away, since things are unlikely to improve much in the coming weeks. Its not as though we're in the midst of an important partnership opportunity or have big advertising prospects lining up to give us lots of new business, which might require my time and attention.

I have given some thought to both of these very different conversations about very different personal and business situations. And I realized that the key take away and reason I don't feel anxious about either situation is because I choose to focus on those things that remain within my control. I can't control the weather on October 4, nor can I control the stock market or economy. But I can control many things in my personal life and business life in order to be prepared for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

If it rains on our wedding day, it will remain one of the most amazing and memorable days of my life. And if the challenges in the stock market and economy continue through October (which I have every reason to believe is the case), my business will still be standing and making forward progress in spite of the challenges. We have an amazing group of employees led by a seasoned leadership team, and I know they will continue to make forward progress even in this difficult economic environment.

As I've grown as an adult, in my personal life and entrepreneurial pursuits, I have become more focused on those things in my life that can be controlled, and tried to spend as little time possible worrying about those outside of my control. I think it simply makes life more relaxing and enjoyable.

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