Earlier today I coached a woman who has run into some conflict in her office.

I gave her some advice that applies not only to the workplace but also to sports teams, schools and even families.

Control what you can control, and let go of the rest.

It’s not a new idea. But it works.

Let’s look at control through the prism of what is possible and impossible.

We’re on Day 16, near the end of our 17-day, multi-media seminar on “How to Do the Impossible.” While I blog it here on Total Game Plan, Dr. Rob Gilbert shares his insights on his daily motivational Success Hotline at (973) 743-4690.

If you would like to achieve the impossible in your life, you must separate what SEEMS to be impossible from what truly IS impossible.

For instance, most people have trouble letting go of what they can’t control. No wonder. It’s hard to do. But not impossible.

Here’s why you must let go: Because trying to change someone else is impossible. Changing yourself is possible. Changing the way you look at things is possible.

Only when you stop focusing on things that ARE impossible, the sooner you free yourself to pursue things that only SEEM impossible.

To use the woman I was coaching as an example, there are things she cannot control: other people, existing office politics, and company policies.

My friend and co-author Gary Pritchard teaches that there are three things people can control: effort, attitude and response to mistakes.Gary calls it EAR.

Says author and speaker Brian Tracy, “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”

You can’t control others. Period. So don’t waste any brainpower on trying.

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Thank you for visiting Total Game Plan. If your team, group or business needs a motivational speaker, please email coachtully @ totalgameplan.com. Here are some other resources for your success:

“Think Better, Win More!” will give you a mental game to match your physical game.

To get better at anything, check out “The Improvement Factor: How Winners Turn Practice into Success.”

Need some motivation? Everyone needs it now and then. Open any page of “Thank God You’re Lazy! The Instant Cure for What’s Holding You Back” for a story or a quote to lift your spirits.

Are you a teacher, boss or sports coach? Here’s “Ten Things Great Coaches Know” by Mike Tully and Gary Pritchard.