1058: Harnessing Your Circle of Influence For Anxiety Relief: Part 1

The Anxiety Coaches Podcast

In today's episode, Gina discusses the circle of influence, popularized by Stephen Covey, and how it can be an effective tool to manage and control anxiety. The circle of influence refers to the set of factors in our lives that we have influence over (things we can control). This contrasts with the set of factors in our lives which we cannot control: the circle of concern. Listen in to come to better understand these concepts and how to use them in your life to help minimize anxiety.

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Quote:

Reactive people are often affected by their physical environment. They find external sources to blame for their behavior. Proactive people recognize they have responsibility for their behavior.

-Stephen Covey

Chapters

0:23Welcome to the Podcast

2:12 The Circle of Influence

8:30 Your Thoughts and Control

14:20 Understanding the Circle of Concern

18:26 Empowering Yourself Against Anxiety

19:37 Upcoming Insights on Application

Summary

In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, I delve into the powerful concept of harnessing your "circle of influence" as a tool for alleviating anxiety, in what will be the first part of an insightful two-part series. I emphasize the importance of recognizing what aspects of our lives we can control, especially when feelings of stress and anxiety begin to emerge. By focusing on our sphere of influence, we can effectively ground ourselves and reclaim a sense of stability.

I introduce the visual metaphor of two concentric circles: the inner circle represents what you can control, while the outer circle encompasses what you cannot. This dynamic was highlighted by Stephen Covey in his influential work, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," which serves as a keystone text in understanding personal development and emotional management. I revisit how understanding this distinction can empower listeners by prompting them to focus on their thoughts and actions rather than becoming ensnared in the anxiety-inducing outer circle of concern.

Within our circle of influence, we explore key elements: thoughts, actions, emotions, choices, communication, and environment. I discuss how we have agency over our thoughts and self-talk, even when anxiety can make it seem otherwise. By consciously changing how we perceive situations or engage in positive self-talk, we can foster a more empowering mindset. I also touch on the importance of our actions—how we respond rather than react to circumstances—and the necessity of creating daily habits that support our mental wellbeing.

I move into emotions, discussing the means we have at our disposal to manage how we process feelings, helping us understand that our attitude and perspective are choices we can make daily. Our choices, including who we spend time with and what activities we prioritize, all reside within our control.

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