The Rocco Effect - Life is A Gamble

When I see an anxious person, I ask myself, what do they want? For if a person wasn’t wanting something outside of their own control, why would they be stricken by anxiety? — Epictetus

Most things are outside our control.  Focusing on what is outside our control is a quick way to experience anger, anxiety, stress and depression.  Do we have control over how others act?  Do we have control over the weather?  Do we have control over the past?  No, we don't.

Life is a gamble.  We can do everything right, and lose.  We can focus on the loss and remain sad, or we can focus on the fact we did our best, we did all we could, we grew in the process. You didn't get what you wanted, but is this outcome really that bad?  What remains that you are grateful for?

If we should remove focus from the outcomes, what should we focus on?  We should focus on two things we can control, our thoughts and our actions.  Reframing situations can be the difference to being depressed and happy.  How often has an explanation changed how you saw a situation?  learn to see different explanations and you'll be able to reframe any situation into a happier one.  We can act in such a way that moves the odds more in our favor,  get good and you'll win more often than you lose.


Task

1. What are you currently focusing on?

2.  Is this inside our outside your control?

3.  What actions will you take to move the odds to be more in your favor?

4. How will you change your thinking in order to gain the most from this experience? 

5. throughout the day ask yourself 'Is this in my control?'