Focus on Your Sphere of Influence

A Smarter Way to Manage Stress and Perform at Your Best based on The Circle of Control model of thinking -

In business and in life, no matter how much planning and due diligence you apply, things will occasionally go wrong. That is not pessimism - it is reality.

Yes, planning is essential... Preparation improves outcomes... Strategy reduces risk...

But how many of the best-laid plans go 100% right, 100% of the time?

.....Very few.

Yet many professionals spend a disproportionate amount of time worrying about scenarios they cannot control - market conditions, other people’s decisions, unexpected setbacks, economic shifts, last-minute changes, or outcomes dependent on external variables.

The majority of what we worry about sits outside our direct control.

The Cost of Worry

As outlined by the NHS, prolonged stress and chronic worry trigger the body’s stress response system, releasing hormones designed for short-term survival. When this response remains activated over time, it can contribute to anxiety, fatigue, sleep disruption, impaired concentration, and reduced performance.

Sustained stress is also linked to emotional strain and physical exhaustion, increasing the risk of burnout.

Worry is not just emotional - it is physiological.

It drains energy - Consumes cognitive function - Disrupts sleep quality - Reduces clarity and decision-making effectiveness.

In a corporate environment, this can translate into decreased productivity, reduced resilience, and diminished leadership presence.

The Performance Paradox: Not All Nerves Are Negative

It is important to make a distinction.

Some nerves are normal - and useful.

Before a major presentation, board meeting, sporting event, or high-stakes negotiation, a moderate level of adrenaline can sharpen focus and elevate performance. When channeled correctly, nervous energy enhances alertness, reaction time, and mental clarity.

The key difference is:

• Productive tension fuels performance.

• Unproductive worry drains performance.

Learning to redirect energy away from uncontrollable variables and toward actionable influence is what separates resilient professionals from reactive ones.

What Is Your Sphere of Influence?

Based on the Circle of Control model of thinking -

When you focus on your Sphere of Influence:

• You conserve mental energy

• You make better decisions

• You recover faster from setbacks

• You model resilience for others

• You maintain authority under pressure

Your Sphere of Influence includes:

• Your preparation

• Your attitude

• Your response to setbacks

• Your communication

• Your work ethic

• Your adaptability

• Your emotional regulation

Outside of it sits:

• Other people’s opinions

• Economic conditions

• Last-minute disruptions

• Competitor decisions

• Unforeseen complications

The most effective leaders and performers do not waste energy fighting what they cannot change.

Instead, they become agile.

They find workarounds.

They adjust strategy.

They maintain composure.

They focus on what they can move.

A Practical Shift in Thinking

Instead of asking:

“What if this goes wrong?”

Ask:

“What part of this situation is within my influence right now?”

That shift alone reduces unnecessary stress and increases clarity.

In Summary

Planning is essential.

Preparation is non-negotiable.

But worrying about what you cannot influence is unproductive.

Spend less time exhausting yourself over the uncontrollable and more time strengthening the controllable.

In business - and in life - resilience is not about eliminating uncertainty. It is about mastering your response to it.

At Professional Guest Speakers, we believe performance improves when attention shifts from fear to influence.

Focus on your Sphere of Influence - and watch your clarity, confidence, and capability rise.