How to focus on your span of control

Stop wasting energy on things you can’t change
Make sure you focus on things that you can control. It’s often said, and I hear myself saying it frequently. But how? That’s much easier said than done and requires conscious action.
There is a lot going on, and it’s easy to lose yourself in overthinking, worrying about things outside of your control, and focusing on the problem instead of the solution.
For example:
You can’t control the plans of your investors or business partners. You can, however, influence outcomes by what you do—staying one step ahead or asking the difficult question instead of avoiding it.
Nor can you change competitor pricing when a competitor challenges your proposition. You can make sure you have the best product and offering and invest in relationships with your users or clients.
So here are some key tips to help you focus on what is within your control, starting with:

The span of control check

It really starts with checking whether a problem—or what you are dwelling on—is within your span of control. Especially if you find yourself going over the same problem again and again.

  • Ask yourself:

    1. Can I directly change this outcome? → Yes? Take action—define the next steps.
    2. No? Can I influence it? → Yes? Focus on the levers you can control.
    3. Is it completely external? → Let go and shift your energy to something productive.

Five more tips to help you stay focused

From these insights, we’ve identified eight key areas that actively influence your resilience and well-being as a founder:

#Founderresilience #Focus #Control #Growth #Startups #Scaleups

Set clear triggers to stop dwelling
Dwelling on problems outside your control happens automatically, as does overthinking. But you can challenge this by checking in on yourself and recognizing when it happens.

Some ways to do this:

  • Use reminders, like a post-it note, a journal prompt, or a calendar event.
  • Include this in your moments of reflection and ask: Am I focused on the problem or a solution?
  • Set another trigger—like noticing the time on the clock, hearing the news on the radio, or anything else that helps you snap out of the cycle.
When you find yourself stuck on the problem, shift your focus.

Instead of asking: Why is this happening?
 Ask: What can I do about it?

Instead of thinking: There’s nothing I can do.
 Ask: How can I influence this? Where can I direct my energy to make a difference?

You may not be able to control the problem, but you can control your response and how you use your energy.
For example, instead of stressing over a competitor’s price drop, focus on improving your product and strengthening customer relationships.
Not everything deserves your time and energy.
Create a rule for yourself: If I can’t change it, I won’t dwell on it for more than X minutes.
Another way to recognize when you’re dwelling is to notice your own patterns—do you keep repeating the same thoughts? Are you venting without looking for a way forward?
A good way to shift to solution mode is to write down one concrete action you can take, even if it’s small. Taking action, even in a small way, helps break the cycle of overthinking.
Some problems feel urgent but aren’t critical in the long run. Zooming out helps direct your energy toward what truly matters.
Ask yourself: Will this matter in six months? In a year?
Then take action: What is one thing I can do today to move forward?

A lost deal or a delayed project might feel huge now, but if used well, it can provide valuable learning and help you refine your approach to win in the long run.

Sharing what’s on your mind helps you structure your thoughts, find solutions, and see the bigger picture.
An accountability partner—a co-founder, mentor, or trusted peer—can challenge your focus and keep you on track. They can also help you recognize when you’re spending too much energy on things outside your control and redirect you toward what you can influence.
An accountability partner—a co-founder, mentor, or trusted peer—can challenge your focus and keep you on track. They can also help you recognize when you’re spending too much energy on things outside your control and redirect you toward what you can influence.