The Circle of Influence - Steven Covey

Steven Coveys circle of influence theory works off the basis that every one has an inner centre of the circle (“influence”) which is everything we can directly or indirectly control. For Example, what we eat, how we dress, where we spend our time, how we show up in our relationships.

Think “proactive”.

At the outer layer of the circle (“concern”), is everything we think and worry and complain about, but cannot control. For example, the weather, the traffic, the way people “drive us crazy”.

Think “reactive”.

The concept works on the basis that the more you focus on your inner centre, your circle of influence, the more it expands and begins to overtake the circle of concern.

This in turn has positive knock on impacts in to the area of your circle of concern. For example, the way YOU treat people may change (regardless of how they treat you), or, perhaps you start to tailor presentations with the other persons framework in mind instead of your own - which ultimately leads to more positive outcomes or progress.

The best part, in iMentor’s opinion? Is that when you are dealing with people, always treat them like they are PROACTIVE, and not REACTIVE. Regardless of what circle type they are in. Reactive people operating constantly from their circle of concern tend to operate in a victim mentality. The more “irresponsible” people are the more you can teach them about their RESPONSEability. Let’s take a very basic example of “my husband/boyfriend/wife/girlfriend is driving me crazy.” Why would you choose to let something drive you crazy? Is there something you could do to try and stabilize things? Like take responsibility and communicate and be patient and try and repair the relationship to a point where you communicate more effectively - to avoid being driven to the point of crazy!