Take Control of Your Life through the Circle of Influence

Stephen R. Covey popularized the Circle of Influence concept in his bestselling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It refers to areas of life where you have control or can take direct action, as opposed to places where you have little or no power, which he calls the Circle of Concern.

Join us to uncover how the Circles of Influence can empower you to take control of your life, boost personal growth, and break free from self-limiting beliefs and patterns. Learn how I use this powerful positive mindset tool to help high achievers shift from stress to success.

My firsthand account of applying Stephen Covey’s circles of control tactics

How I Used Stephen Covey’s circle of control and influence to Regain My Life

I felt utterly overwhelmed trapped in a cycle of stress, setbacks, and frustration. I focused on everything outside my control like betrayals, health scares, and external opinions. It wasn’t until I rediscovered Stephen Covey Circle of Influence vs. Circle of Concern from his bookThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People that everything began to change.

MyBreaking Point: Stuck in the Circle of Concern

Early in my career, I was obsessed with my Circle of Concern—the things I worried about but couldn’t control. The economy, competitors, past mistakes, and other people’s choices—I let them dictate my emotional state. The more I focused on them, the smaller my Circle of Control and Influence became. I felt powerless.

Then, I remembered Covey’s wisdom: “Proactive people focus their efforts on their Circle of Control. Reactive people focus on their Circle of Concern.”

Shifting My Focus: Expanding My Circle of Control and Influence

I decided—no more energy wasted on what I couldn’t change. Instead, I asked:

• What can I control? My mindset, habits, daily actions, and responses.
• Where can I grow? My skills, knowledge, and emotional intelligence.
• Who can I impact? My clients, team, and family through leadership and service.

I started small:

• Morning routines (exercise, gratitude, planning).
• Investing in education (books, mentors, courses).
• Letting go of toxic relationships that drained my energy.

The Result: From Survival to Success

As I focused on my Circle of Control, something incredible happened—it expanded. Opportunities appeared. My confidence grew. I rebuilt my health, business, and relationships. The same principles apply today:

3 Circles of Control and Influence That Changed My Life

1. Self-Mastery (Mindset, Health, Discipline)
2. Business Growth (Skill Development, Strategic Action)
3. Relationships (Surrounding Myself with Elevators, Not Drainers)

Your Turn: How to Apply This Today

1. Write it down: Use a Circle of Influence worksheet to list what you can vs. can’t control.
2. Eliminate distractions: Stop consuming negativity (news, gossip, complainers).
3. Take action: Spend 80% of your time on high-impact activities within your control.

My Takeaways

If you’re working on breaking toxic patterns, healing, and leveling up, your power starts in your Circle of Control. That means taking ownership of your daily choices, mindset, boundaries, and commitment to transformation. When you stay focused on what you can control, you stop feeling powerless—and that’s when everything starts to shift.

Covey’s Circles of Influence aren’t just theory—it’s a lifeline. When I stopped blaming and started owning my choices, I transformed my life. Yours is next.

Start with a Circle of Influence Diagram or Worksheet. Let’s grow together.

Guide to Stephen Covey’s Circle of Influence and Circle of Concern

When I first came across Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, a concept truly transformed how I approached life and my work as a marketing coach. It’s a framework called the Circle of Influence and Circle of Concern. This simple yet profound idea shifted my perspective on where to focus my energy, personally and professionally. Its impact resonates with countless clients, including entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, and small business owners.

Ryan Zofay and I often emphasize this framework in our coaching because it fundamentally realigns individuals to focus on what matters. If you’re overwhelmed by everything happening around you—competition, market shifts, or global uncertainty—this guide is for you.

What is the Circle of Influence and Circle of Concern?

At its core, this concept is about understanding where you should direct your energy. Stephen Covey explains this beautifully in his book, identifying two key circles in our lives:

The Circle-of-Concern

This circle contains everything that affects you but is outside of your control. Think of the economy, your competitor’s decisions, or external politics. These are concerns that can easily consume your attention and energy without bringing any actual results.

The Circle of Influence

This is your power zone. It includes areas where you can directly take action and make a difference. It involves your habits, relationships, mindset, and how you show up daily. Expanding your circle-of-influence means dedicating yourself to things you have control over, like building meaningful client connections or strengthening your marketing strategies.

When you spend more time in your Circles of Influence, your reach expands, and you feel empowered. When you dwell in the Circle of Concern, the opposite happens—you feel drained and powerless.

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A Quick Visualization Exercise

Take a moment and think of these two circles as a diagram. Stephen Covey’s diagram shows the Circle of Concern and Circles-of-Influence as concentric circles. The larger outer circle represents concerns, while the smaller inner circle represents influence. Reflecting on where your current focus lies can help you begin shifting your energy to the right place.

How to Harness Covey’s Circle of Influence for Personal Growth

I’ve experienced firsthand how Stephen Covey’s circle of influence book can transform lives. These principles, outlined in his bookThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, helped me overcome addiction, incarceration, and personal loss to build a thriving business and inspire others. By focusing on what I could control and influence, I expanded my impact and regained my life. Below is a chart summarizing tips, tactics, and insights for applying Covey’s model effectively in your own life.

Strategies for Covey’s Circle of Influence

Category	Tips	Strategies	Insights
Circle of Concern	– Identify concerns beyond your control (e.g., economy, past mistakes).	– Create a list of concerns and consciously release those you cannot influence.	Focusing on uncontrollable issues drains energy and limits growth.
Circle of Influence	– Focus on areas where you can make an impact (e.g., habits, relationships).	– Take proactive actions like improving communication, building trust, and setting goals.	Proactive effort increases your influence over time.
Circle of Control	– Prioritize actions entirely within your control (e.g., thoughts, decisions).	– Practice mindfulness to regulate emotions and make intentional choices.	Empowerment begins with controlling your own responses.
Expanding Influence	– Build relationships and leverage networks to amplify your impact.	– Engage in active listening and mentorship to foster collaboration.	Collaboration widens your circle of influence beyond individual capacity.
Proactivity vs Reactivity	– Shift focus from blaming external factors to taking responsibility.	– Use daily affirmations to reinforce proactive thinking.	Reactive behavior shrinks influence; proactivity expands it.
Practical Applications	– Start small by identifying one area to improve today.	– Use Covey’s worksheet or diagram to map concerns versus influence.	Small consistent actions lead to significant growth over time.

Actionable Steps:

1. Identify areas within your Circle of Influence today.
2. Set clear goals aligned with what you can control.
3. Build trust through collaboration to expand your reach.

By applying these principles consistently, you’ll find that growth isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.

Below is a complete Circle of Influence Diagram Worksheet in table format, with an intro, directions, and summary to guide users through the exercise. This is ideal for a personal development workbook, coaching program, or online download from Ryan Zofay’s platform.

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Circle of Influence Worksheet

Your mindset shapes your reality. You reclaim your power when you focus your energy on what you can control—your thoughts, choices, and habits. This worksheet helps you identify where you’re spending your mental and emotional energy and guides you to shift focus toward your Circle of Influence, where real transformation begins.

Directions:

1. Start by listing everything currently on your mind—things causing stress, uncertainty, or distraction.
2. Sort each item into one of two categories: Circle of Concern (outside your control) or Circle of Influence (within your control).
3. Reflect on how much time and energy you’ve spent on the things you can’t control.
4. Choose 3–5 things from your Circle of Influence to take meaningful action this week.

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Item or Concern	Circle of Concern (No control)	Circle of Influence (I can act)	Next Action Step
Example: Global economy	✅		Focus on budgeting and skill-building
Example: A friend’s opinion of me	✅		Practice self-validation and set boundaries.
Example: My daily routine		✅	Block time each morning for exercise
Example: My reaction to setbacks		✅	Journal and reframe challenges
Example: A family member’s choices	✅		Meditate 10 minutes daily.
Example: How I manage stress		✅	Practice self-validation and set boundaries.

Summary & Reflection: Notice the difference in energy when you focus on your Circle of Influence. It’s where change begins—where you stop reacting and start creating.
Write your top 3 takeaways from this exercise below:

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Circle of Influence Tactics to Control Your Life

In life, we often focus on things beyond our control, leading to stress and frustration. That’s why as a personal development coach and trainer I emphasize the importance of identifying and expanding your Circle of Influence—the aspects of life you can directly impact. By shifting your focus to what you can control, you empower yourself to create meaningful change. Below are the top 10 tips to help you take charge of your life.

Top 10 Circle of Influence Tips

Feeling overwhelmed? Uncover my top 10 Stephen Covey’s powerful influence and concern frameworks tips. Discover practical tactics to focus your energy, reduce stress, and take charge of your life. Start today using my professional tips, tactics and advice to master your focuse.

Tip	Advice	Tactics
1. Focus on What You Can Control	Direct energy toward actions, habits, and mindset—not external circumstances. Practice mindfulness skills regularly along with emotional intelligence 2.0 skills and take control today.	Worrying about uncontrollable factors wastes time; proactive focus builds success. Begin by mastering your emotions.
2. Develop a Growth Mindset	Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.	A fixed mindset limits potential; growth fosters resilience and adaptability.
3. Set Clear Goals	Define short-term and long-term objectives with actionable steps. Uncover personal goals examples that apply to you. Make SMART goals.	Goals provide direction and motivation, keeping you aligned with priorities. Download a personal development plan template to get started.
4. Practice Daily Gratitude	Reflect on positive aspects of life to shift perspective. Discover daily gratitude journal prompts to get started.	Gratitude reduces stress and enhances emotional well-being. Here’s some ideas on how to practice an attitude of gratitude: harness good intentions, celebrate Thankful Thursday, & enjoy positive affirmations to boost resilience.
5. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences	Limit time with negative people; seek mentors and uplifting peers.	Your environment shapes your mindset—choose wisely.
6. Take Ownership of Your Actions	Accept responsibility for decisions and outcomes, without blame.	Accountability builds self-discipline and trust. For more support get yourself an accountability coach like myself to help keep you accoountable.
7. Manage Your Time Effectively	Prioritize tasks, eliminate distractions, and schedule self-care. Make use of smart time management tools and skills.	Time is a finite resource—invest it wisely.
8. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence	Improve self-awareness, empathy, and stress management.	Emotional control enhances relationships and decision-making.
9. Invest in Continuous Learning	Read, take courses, and seek new skills to stay adaptable. Employ continuous improvement techniques for sustained learning.	Knowledge expands opportunities and confidence.
10. Practice Self-Reflection	Regularly assess progress, setbacks, and areas for improvement. Develop self reflection life skills.	Reflection ensures alignment with personal values and goals.

Reduce Worry, Increase Impact

Tired of worrying about things you can’t control? Practcing the circle of influence and control tactics can empower you to focus on what matters and create real change in your life. Learn how to focus your energy effectively and take greater control of your life and outcomes.

Your Circle of Influence is the key to taking control of your life. By focusing on actionable steps—mindset, habits, relationships, and personal growth—you shift from reacting to circumstances to proactively shaping your future. My teaching principles remind us that true power lies in directing effort where it matters most. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your influence expand.

Takeaway: “You can’t control everything, but you can always control your response.”

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7 habits of highly effective people circle of influence Tactics & Insights

Stephen R. Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People teaches that success begins with focusing on what you can control—your Circle of Influence. By adopting these habits, you shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive one, empowering yourself to take charge of your life.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Circle of Influence Chart

Below is a breakdown of the circle of influence 7 Habits with actionable tactics and key insights to expand your influence and achieve lasting success.

Habit & Tip	Tactics for Implementation	Key Insights
1. Be Proactive	– Pause before reacting; choose responses wisely. – Replace “I have to” with “I choose to.” – Focus on solutions, not problems.	Proactive people take responsibility; reactive people blame circumstances.
2. Begin with the End in Mind	– Write a personal mission statement. – Set long-term goals aligned with values. – Visualize success daily.	Clarity on your purpose drives meaningful action. Find your passions and meaning in practicing circle of influence circle of control steps.
3. Put First Things First	– Use the Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent/Important). – Schedule “Big Rocks” (priorities) first. – Learn to say “no” to distractions.	Time management is life management—focus on what truly matters.
4. Think Win-Win	– Seek mutually beneficial solutions in conflicts. – Practice empathy and collaboration. – Avoid zero-sum thinking.	Success isn’t about beating others; it’s about creating value for all.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood	– Listen actively without interrupting. – Ask open-ended questions. – Validate others’ perspectives before responding.	Deep listening builds trust and stronger relationships.
6. Synergize	– Collaborate with diverse thinkers. – Brainstorm innovative solutions. – Leverage team strengths for greater results.	The whole is greater than the sum of its parts—teamwork multiplies success.
7. Sharpen the Saw	– Dedicate time to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual renewal. – Read, exercise, meditate, and reflect regularly.	Sustainable success requires continuous self-renewal. Realize we a 3-part human, mind, body and soul. Each part requiring nurturing.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are not just principles—they’re a blueprint for expanding your Circle of Influence. Ryan Zofay reinforces that by mastering these habits, you shift from being a passive observer of life to an active creator of your destiny. Start with self-mastery (Habits 1-3), then move to collaborative success (Habits 4-6), and finally sustain growth through renewal (Habit 7).

Key Takeaway: “Your Circle of Influence grows when you focus on what you can change—your thoughts, actions, and habits.”

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Why Understanding Covey’s Circle of Influence Matters for Entrepreneurs

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re constantly bombarded with external worries. The economy fluctuates. Competitors innovate. Algorithms change. If you focus on these, you’ll be in a constant cycle of frustration because they’re part of your Circle of Concern.

But now, imagine shifting your attention to your Circle of Influence instead. What if you focused on things you can control—like leveling up your marketing tactics, curating an exceptional user experience, or fostering a team culture rooted in collaboration and growth? Doing this drives tangible results and empowers you to approach challenges clearly and confidently.

This differentiation isn’t just theory—it’s what Ryan and I see with the entrepreneurs and leaders we work with every day. Take, for example, one of my clients who was consumed with market trends she couldn’t change. Once she shifted her focus to refining her unique selling proposition (entirely within her Circle of Influence), the growth in her business was undeniable. She saw her revenue increase by 30% within three months.

Why It Matters (Especially in Personal Development)

Focusing on your Circle of Influence helps you:

• Stay empowered and proactive
• Build momentum and confidence
• Reduce stress and anxiety over things you can’t control
• Improve relationships and outcomes
• Expand your influence over time

“Reactive people focus on things they can’t control. Proactive people focus on things they can.” – Stephen Covey

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Benefits of Understanding Your Circles

Here’s a closer look at why this mindset shift is such a game-changer, especially for leaders and small business owners:

1. Greater Focus and Efficiency

Spending energy on things you can influence helps you achieve more in less time. For instance, focus on refining your messaging instead of worrying about a competitor’s aggressive ad campaign.

2. Improved Emotional Well-Being

Dwelling in your Circle of Concern can lead to feelings of anxiety and helplessness. Focusing on what you can control, like setting realistic goals or improving customer retention strategies, will help you feel more grounded.

3. Expanded Influence Over Time

Covey explains that it grows as you work steadily within your Circle of Influence. Think of it as creating ripple effects—your proactive actions inspire trust, credibility, and even collaborations that broaden your impact.

How to Expand Your Circle of Influence

Here are actionable steps to help you get started:

1. Shift Your Mindset

Recognize when you’re stuck in your Circle of Concern. This is the first step toward taking back control. Mindfulness and journaling can help—you’d be surprised how often our thoughts veer toward things we can’t change.

2. Identify Key Areas of Focus

Draw Covey’s Circle of Concern and Circle of Influence Diagram on paper or use a Circle of Influence worksheet. List out what’s in each circle. I recommend using categories like health, relationships, business, and finances, then refining your Circles of Influence one step at a time.

3. Take Proactive Action

Focus on small, manageable behaviors that lead to big results. For example, instead of stressing about global marketing trends, channel that energy into crafting a data-driven marketing campaign for your demographic.

4. Surround Yourself with the Right People

One of the best ways to grow your Circle of Influence is by networking with people who inspire and challenge you. Join communities, attend events, and get feedback from those who’ve walked the same path. These 3 Circles of Influence—business, personal, and community—are all interconnected. Strength in one often spills into another.

Examples of Circles of Influence

If you’re stuck thinking “what is the Circle of Influence,” or “how can I apply this to my business,” here are some clear circle of influence examples:

• Professional Example: Instead of fixating on an industry downturn (outside your control), improve your team’s skill set (within your control).
• Marketing Example: You can’t control Google’s algorithm changes, but you can refine your content strategy to add value and stay relevant.
• Personal Example: You can’t predict what will happen tomorrow but can focus on maintaining a positive mindset and staying adaptable.

Takeaways on the 7 Habits Circle of Influence

Stephen Covey’s Circle of Influence vs Circle of Concern framework is more than just a theory—it’s a powerful tool that empowers individuals to work smarter and live more intentionally. Whether you want to grow your business, lead your team, or find more happiness daily, this philosophy will guide you toward meaningful growth.

Remember, your energy is finite. Decide where to focus on it. The more you empower your Circle of Influence, the more significant your impact over time.

Schedule a coaching session with Ryan and his team if you’d like to explore Covey’s approach further or develop a personalized strategy to expand your Circle of Influence.

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