52 weeks of Mental Mastery - Week 2: Control the Controllables
đź’¬ Quote
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
— John Wooden
🔍 Self-Awareness
Where in your life are you wasting energy on things outside your control, like other people’s opinions, the past, or outcomes?
đź“– Story
Nick Saban’s “Process” is legendary at Alabama.
He doesn’t talk to his players about winning championships. Instead, he drills them to focus only on what they can control; alignment, assignment, effort, and execution. One play at a time.
That relentless focus on controllables has led to multiple national titles and a mindset that thrives under pressure.
Saban’s message: Master what you control, and the results will follow.
🧠Science
Psychologist Julian Rotter developed the concept of locus of control; the belief about what causes your outcomes.
An internal locus of control means you believe your choices, actions, and mindset directly impact results.
An external locus of control means you believe outcomes are shaped by luck, circumstances, or other people.
đź“š Studies show that people with an internal locus of control experience:
âś… Higher resilience
âś… Lower stress
âś… Better performance in school, sports, and leadership
(Sources: Rotter, 1966; Findley & Cooper, 1983; Lefcourt, 2014)
Focusing on your effort, attitude, and response is a learnable mental shift, and a key trait of mentally tough performers and long-term success.
đź‘Ł Step Forward
Do a “Control Audit” today.
Draw a line down the middle of a page.
On the left, write what’s In Your Control
On the right, write what’s Out of Your Control
Then:
❌ Cross out what’s not in your control
âś… Circle what is and take one small action on it today
💥 When life feels overwhelming, return to this: What can I control right now? Then focus on that with intention. That’s how you take your power back.
