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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 .