Control the Controllable!
So many of the decisions we make in life involve factors that are beyond our control. Let’s use housing as an example. Level of income typically determines whether we can rent or buy. If we don’t have savings that allow for a down payment lenders would require, an income stream that allows us to manage the mortgage payment, interest rate attached to that mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and normal maintenance costs, and won’t have enough money left over for a quality of life we desire…well…that would indicate we need to rent. Out of the things mentioned above for potential home ownership, we would only have control over our level of savings, our potential income stream(s), and whether we would properly maintain a property we own. Current interest rate, property taxes, and insurance are things we can’t control yet they can have a huge impact on whether we can afford to purchase or rent.
If the opportunity for a new job with more income becomes an option, but comes with required relocation to another state, we don’t have any control over the differences the housing market presents from where we currently live. That’s why people moving from the Midwest to California experience a negative cost of living shocker, and people moving from California to the Midwest experience a positive cost of living shocker. The cost of living shocker is beyond our control because individually, we can’t impact the cost of living in any particular location.
I utilized housing as an example because it impacts all of us. We’re all impacted by where we lay our heads down each night. Sadly, some don’t even have a place to lay their head down, but I’ll save that for another article.
My focus today is on the things we DO have control over and how we manage those things. I’m really referring to the things we think about, our emotions, our needs and wants, and the impact we have on the people around us. We all have the ability to control what we think, our perspectives, and what leads to the words we choose to speak and actions we choose to take. So, how does a person do their very best managing the things they have total control over? Great Question!
Recently, a friend of mine had an opportunity to hear the University of Nebraska Athletic Director give a speech that presented the thought process “Control the Controllable” and provided some general life lessons that I believe are outstanding and workable for all of us in search of living a valuable, joyous, and worthwhile life. Here’s the gist of the main point the AD shared: “When people are down, you lift them up. When people are up, you lift them higher.” Now, I realize that the speech had athletic teams as it’s intended target audience, but the moment I read those words in my friend’s social media post, I jumped all over the fact that they can work in every part of any person’s life. What an outstanding perspective to have on life!
“When people are down, you lift them up. When people are up, you lift them higher. Control the controllable.” What would our world look like if we all embraced controlling the controllable and became more aware of the people we’re surrounded by at home, work, and where we live? Wouldn’t it be great if there was an acknowledged network we could belong to where as soon as one person in the network noticed someone was down, they could send out a text signaling to everyone else that some spirit lifting was needed for that individual? Might only require some simple words of encouragement to turn around a struggling person’s day. And if someone’s up, letting them know you believe in them can take them even higher. Again, it might only take a few words to help them achieve heights THEY didn’t even know they could achieve.
Recently, I had the privilege of speaking to a local book club about my book “The Answer Discovery.” The subtitle talks about changing the world by helping others…and ourselves. I was asked why someone should read the book and my response focused on the 115 life lessons I’ve shared throughout the stories contained in the book. I added that while each life lesson can add value to the readers life, that value will only occur if someone takes ACTION on the lesson offered. No action = no value.
That’s why I’ve written this article specifically targeting YOU! If you’re reading this, spend some time pondering the thought process behind “If someone is down, lift them up. If someone is up, lift them higher.” Then take immediate action. If you’re near other people, go ask them if they’re down or up and respond utilizing this new perspective. If you’re alone, call or text someone you know and ask them if they’re down or up and, again, respond utilizing this new perspective. As weird as this may sound, you’ll be lifting YOURSELF just a little higher when you do this. Which begs the question: Shouldn’t we be doing this all the time to everyone we come in contact with? The answer is simple: YES! Hey…I Believe In YOU! GiddyUp!
Paul White is a guest columnist and author. Purchase his Life-Changing book “The Answer Discovery – How to Change the World by Helping Others…and Ourselves” at http://bit.ly/PaulWhiteAmazon