Gary Bloomer | SHAKING THE TREE # 246
We’ve all got things that drag us down and hold us back.
Guilt.
Blame.
Shame.
Judgement.
Disapproval.
Fear.
Regret.
But did you know that the more you can let go of the things you can’t control, the easier it becomes to focus on things you can control?
The past is gone. Stop fretting about it.
You made mistakes, you’ve said and done things you shouldn’t have said or done. Worrying about them and carrying them around with you won’t change anything.
Likewise the future. What happens around you, the actions of others, the outcome of your efforts, and other people’s opinions: these things are all out of your control. So stop investing emotional coin in them.
However, what you can control are things like the goals and boundaries you set and how you protect them and how you work towards them.
Likewise the things and people you give your time, attention, and energy to.
Ditto for the way you handle challenges, opportunities, and your thoughts and actions, both to other people, and to yourself.
You’re in complete control. Focus on these things and ONLY on these things.
Admittedly, we all lose our shit from time to time. For the most part though, the more we keep our emotions and reactions in check, the happier our lives tend to be.
A short, simple idea I know, but one that has tremendous power, particularly in terms of the goals we set ourselves as content creators.
Your content won’t create itself. Which means putting in the effort and doing the work. But you’re up for all of that, aren’t you because you’re in control.
As always, thanks for reading.
—Gary
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Next time on Shaking the Tree: Content lessons from Downton Abbey
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Originally from the U.K., Gary Bloomer is a writer, branding advocate, marketing specialist, and an award-winning graphic designer.
His design work has been included in Creative Review (one of the UK’s largest design magazines). Since 2009, he has answered over 5,000 marketing and business questions in the Know-How Exchange of MarketingProfs.com, placing him among the top 3% of contributors. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.