Focus on What You Can Control
A Creative's Guide to Energy & Effort
“Work out first what you can control, and place your efforts there, and don’t waste time and energy worrying about what you can’t control.”
Brigid Delaney
As creatives, it’s tempting - and exhausting - to fixate on everything: the perfect idea, audience reactions, deadlines, or external factors beyond our reach. But this powerful advice reminds us to focus our energy where it truly matters: on what we can control.1
This mindset isn’t new. Marcus Aurelius, best known for his book of journal entries known as Meditations, was a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, lived this wisdom centuries ago. He taught that while we can’t control the world’s chaos or others’ opinions, we can control our own thoughts, actions, and attitudes. Aurelius mastered the idea of focusing inward, channeling his energy into his unique responsibilities and mindset rather than external noise.
In today’s creative world, there are many who embody this principle, but I can’t think of two better than entrepreneur Marie Forleo and author James Clear. Forleo (who wrote the book, Everything is Figureoutable, created MarieTV, and created many other things) has stressed disciplined focus on daily habits and choices within her control - writing consistently, connecting authentically with her audience, and refining her craft. She refuses to get derailed by things she can’t change, like market trends or criticism.
Similarly, James Clear (who wrote the wonderful book Atomic Habits which has been read by millions) teaches that lasting progress comes from small, controllable habits. Instead of obsessing over outcomes or external circumstances, he encourages creatives to optimize their daily routines and decisions - actions fully within their grasp. Over time, these habits compound into meaningful growth.
Marcus Aurelius, Marie Forleo, and James Clear (as well as other similar creatives) show us that mastering what’s within our control frees us from being overwhelmed and fuels sustainable creativity.
TODAY’s CHALLENGE: Take 10 minutes to list what aspects of your current project or creative life you can control - and what you can’t. Then, commit to focusing your efforts exclusively on the controllable parts today. Notice how this shift affects your energy and progress.
Remember, creativity blossoms when your energy flows where it counts. Own your power - one focused step at a time.
The above quote was from Brigid Delaney’s awesome book, Reasons Not to Worry: How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times (page 49).