In a world where so many control what you can, it’s easy to get lost in the psychological pinball game of focusing on uncontrollable factors. This drains energy, creating a state of mental exhaustion that prevents you from performing at your best.

Practicing the philosophy of Stoicism can help you break free from the cycle of worry and stress by teaching you to focus on what you can control. Epictetus, the Greek philosopher who founded this school of thought, suggests that you control only what can be controlled and that you let go of everything else. It sounds simple, but letting go of the urge to control what you can’t is challenging for many people. Whether it’s the behavior of others or the outcome of a situation, trying to change what is out of your control can be frustrating and even debilitating.

Embracing Serenity: Control What You Can, Let Go of What You Can’t

However, a resilient mindset can transform your perspective and give you the strength to deal with whatever challenges come your way. To start, take a problem or a situation that is complex and think about what you can control and what you can’t control. Then, prioritize what you can do and work towards achieving it.

Practice this method for a week or two, and see how it affects your mood. You might find that you feel less stressed and more powerful than before. Eventually, this mindset will become second-nature, and you’ll be more equipped to handle the uncontrollable situations that are inevitable in life.