problemwithcirclesspwjeqeveafvedca
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7/27/2019 ProblemwithCirclesspwjeqeveafvedca
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In Stephen Coveys S e v e n H a b i t s o f H i g h l y Ef f e c t i v e P e o p l e he writes about two circles which
contain our lives, the Circle of Concern and the Circle of
Influence.
Circle of Concern encompassing all the things wecare about; ranges from our personal concerns (health, career,
relationships, etc.) to our global concerns (global warming, war,
recession, etc.)
Circle of Influence includes the things we have thepower to affect; this circle is smaller than the Circle of Concern
The book goes on to show its readers how to be proactive and
affect change by focusing their energies in their Circle of
Influence.
The problems with Coveys Circles of Concern and Influence
We undercut our power and mistakenly place things outside our Circle of Influence
The problems all of us face fall in one of three areas: direct control (problems involving our own
behavior); indirect control (problems involving other peoples behavior); or no control (problems we
can do nothing about, such as our past, or situational realities).
~ Stephen R. Covey
We have the tendency to underestimate our capacity to influence life, effectively placing
things in our Circle of Concern rather than in our Circle of Influence. For instance, because we
cant (most likely) solve global warming individually, we may abdicate the power we do have saying,
Thats too big of a problem. Im just one person. I cant change it. The truth, however, is that we
can take action that does affect global warming, even if it doesnt eliminate it. N o t i ce w h e r e y o u r e
u n c o n s c i o u s ly g i v i n g u p y o u r p o w e r t o a f f e c t ch a n g e b y l u m p i n g i s su e s i n t o t h a t p l a c e o u t
t h e r e w h e r e y o u t h i n k y o u h a v e n o c o n t r o l . Th e n c h o o s e t o t a k e w h a t e v e r a c t i o n s y o u c a n
t o u s e y o u r p o w e r a s e f f e ct i v e l y a s p o s si b l e .
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We fail to focus more intentionally even within our Circle of Influence
The proactive approach is to change from the inside-out; to be
different, and by being different to effect positive change in
whats out there I can be more resourceful, I can be more
diligent, I can be a more creative, I can be more cooperative.
~ Stephen R. Covey
The challenge in the Circle of Influence is to focus our energies,
efforts, and power for the greatest effect. Even when we admit
that we have more potential to influence life, that potential can
go unfulfilled when we dont concentrate sufficiently. Covey
writes, At the very heart of our Circle of Influence is our ability
to make and keep commitments and promises. I agree. In
fact, I see a third circle that moves as your focus changes. This Circle of Commitment represents
the area within your Circle of Influence where you are intentionally putting your time and
energy (whether you do so for 10 minutes or the next year). This circle symbolizes the
difference between the statements I can and I will. We each can do many things, yet only when
we focus will we accomplish what we envision. N o t i ce w h e r e y o u a r e n o t f u l ly c o mm i t t i n g t o
t h e t h i n g s y o u c a n d o . M a k e c o n s c io u s c h o i ce s t o f o l lo w t h o u g h o n y o u r d e s i r e s w i t h a c t i o n .
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