How to Stop Worrying About Things You Can’t Control

Worry robs you of time, clarity, and peace in your mind, especially when it’s directed at things beyond your control. You don’t control the economy. You can’t stop people from judging you. You can’t rewrite the past. So why waste our mental energy trying?

If you’ve ever wondered how to stop worrying about things you can’t control, you’re not alone. But more importantly, you’re not powerless. At Echelon Front, we teach leaders to take extreme ownership of their decisions, emotions, and mindsets. That includes learning when to let go.

How Can I Stop Worrying About Things I Can’t Control

Own Your Reaction

You can’t control external chaos, but you can control how you respond to it. That’s where ownership begins.

When you’re hit with unexpected news, rejection, or conflict, you have a choice. You can react emotionally or detach from those emotions to get a thirty-thousand-foot view to understand the terrain you’re in and make the best decision possible with the information presented at that moment in time. 

If you’re constantly asking yourself how can I stop worrying about things I can’t control, start here: shift from reacting emotionally to detaching from those emotions, which will allow you to be disciplined in your actions.

Detachment Is a Skill

In combat, the most effective leaders are the ones who detach. They pull themselves out of the chaos, observe the battlefield, and make clear decisions. You can do the same in everyday life.

Detachment means stepping back far enough to recognize what is transpiring in your world. If your thoughts spiral, ask yourself: “Is this in my control? If not, why am I spending energy on it?”

Learning detachment requires repetition. But like any skill, it strengthens over time.

Redirect the Energy

Energy spent worrying is energy that could’ve been spent executing. When you’re stuck in your head, you’re not taking action. And without action, nothing changes.

That’s why the better question to ask isn’t just how do I stop worrying about the things I can’t control, but instead, ask yourself, “What are some squared away actions I can take right now?” You may not control the outcome, but you can control your attitude, your response, and your commitment to do better. 

Redirect that anxious energy toward building and strengthening relationships and becoming the kind of person who responds with a cool, calm, collectedness that inspires others to do the same. That’s a good way to lead by example in any environment.

Stop Waiting—Start Leading

Leadership isn’t about waiting. It’s about stepping up when things are messy, uncertain, and out of control. Leadership starts with leading yourself.

If you’re ready to learn how to stop worrying about things you can’t control, we invite you to take the next step. Enroll in Barriers to Extreme Ownership, a course designed to help you identify the internal obstacles holding you back and give you the tools to overcome them.

Conclusion

You may not control the world, but you control the lens through which you see it. You control your emotions, your actions, and your mindset. 

If you’re wondering how to stop worrying about things you can’t control, it starts with taking ownership of your response, detaching from it, and redirecting your focus.Stop asking, how can I stop worrying about things I can’t control? Start learning what you can do actually do. We’ve put together a course to help you learn exactly how to embrace the mindset of ownership. Reclaim control by enrolling in the course now.

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Online Leadership Training

Get on-demand leadership training from Echelon Front Instructors. Premium and Free courses are available. Sign up now.