Stoics & Covey: Circle of control

From my ancient corporate life aeons ago, Covey Circles (control, influence and concern) were a common artifact, teaching tool employed. Here’s a video, and an article on the topic. I coached this concept almost daily as humans dangerously defer to the circle of concern almost instinctively (or so it seems). Admission: in my use of the Covey Circles, I reversed the order of some usages – mine are: control = middle / core; influence = middle layer; and concern = outer ring. That helps people focus at the core – control, and then if effort left, influence.

I also learned that this concept was adopted – either purposely or accidentally – from the Stoics. Stoic approach was to always focus on what you can control, especially one’s behavior / response to those concerning events. As I understand stoic concept, there were 2 circles: control, concern. The modern addition of influence probably has purpose and rationale, but doesn’t really help that much imho – maybe makes it easier for corporate usages where employees need to feel some influence.

If we are to learn from stoics, our focus and attention on ‘concern’ events only reduce our probability and ease of reaching eudaemonia – or even some emotional balance in our lives. There’s no debate.

With all that … humans around me spend more time thinking, talking and worrying about the circle of concern … the outcomes are so predictable. No action to actually improve themselves, mostly complaining, whining, gossiping, etc …

This then circles (no pun intended) me back to a Sartre comment about humans following others, disgracing themselves and basically avoiding anything that would hold them accountable to their actions. I am not confident that avoiding responsibility for what IS in our control will make us better, happier humans – maybe it’s just easier?