I like to focus on what I can do to remedy or improve tough situations, versus focusing on all that I cannot do.  I’m really not a “head in the sand” guy at all, but the fact of the matter is that I cannot do a single thing about what is happening / has happened on Wall Street, and I surely have no opportunity to impact anything in Washington.  So, what can I do?

First, I get to choose my points of focus every minute of every day.  I’m not forced to keep the noise (oops, I meant news) on in the background 24 hours a day.  I’m not forced to allow anxiety to paralyze me or cause me to forget the simple joys of life.  And, I’m free to smile and speak positively  to family and friends, recognizing that when I encourage others I find myself encouraged as well.

Second, I’m free to choose my attitude about anything and everything.  Again, I’m not talking talking about being oblivious to all the sobering circumstances we face as a nation, but I am pointing out that I do not have to adopt as mine the attitude that says “it’s all over, and it’s getting worse.”  If we somehow think that an attitude like that doesn’t feed the negative cycle, then we need a reality check.  And if we think it doesn’t literally impact the quality of our lives, relationships, efforts, and service to others, then we are sadly misled.  You CAN CHOOSE how you will think AND feel about anything; Victor Frankl certainly proved that to be true.  It’s a mental challenge at times, to be sure, but it’s a far better use of mental and physical energy than fretting and worrying.

Last, I have absolute control over the quality of my efforts in my responsibilities.  I can be an attentive, alert, engaged steward of every opportunity to serve others, help my team, encourage my family, refine my practices for maximum results, set aside outdated and unproductive systems, etc, etc.  I can be creative and continue to re-invent the way I do things in a changing environment.  I can, as as summary statement, choose to be exemplary in all I do and say.  What greater sense of control does a person really need?

What can you do today?  What positive steps can you take in any realm of your life to improve the short-term circumstances and build a new foundational reality?  Whatever those steps are, they are totally and completely in your hands right now.