--- title: Where Your Focus Goes | The Sales Blog description: There are things that you cannot control, and things you can. Where you focus is important; it's the one thing you control. image: https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_118462156.jpg --- ### [Now booking SKO meetings for 2026/27! Learn more](https://www.thesalesblog.com/authority) [![Iannarino The Sales Blog](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/2021%20Website/Images/ai-logo-web.svg) ](https://www.thesalesblog.com) - WIN AT SALES - The Sales Environment - [ Sales is broken ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/sales-is-broken) - [ Modern sales ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/revenue-growth-blueprint) - Sales Resources - [ Blog ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog) - [ Podcast ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/the-anthony-iannarino-show) - [ Live Training Events ](https://events.thesalesblog.com) - [ Modern Sales Methodologies for Enterprises ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/modern-sales-metholodogies) [![View Events](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/b2e09c31-23bf-4ae9-b840-9ce632f62111.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/b2e09c31-23bf-4ae9-b840-9ce632f62111) ###### Live Training Events ### Upcoming training events & workshops [![Sales Accelerator Training](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/cda2541c-e77c-44de-9752-0a68716d50e9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/cda2541c-e77c-44de-9752-0a68716d50e9) ###### Online Training Platform ### Sales Accelerator [![Revenue Growth Blueprint](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/b2913e6b-029b-4079-96bb-20e4ad251bc6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/b2913e6b-029b-4079-96bb-20e4ad251bc6) ###### #1 Resource ### Revenue Growth Blueprint - [ BLOG ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog) - [ SPEAKING ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/speaking) - SALES TRAINING - [ Sales Accelerator + Monthly Webinars Bundle ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/sales-training-events-bundle) - [ For Individual Reps ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/individuals) - [ For Teams ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/sales-accelerator) - [ Events & Other Programs ](https://events.thesalesblog.com) - [ Hire Anthony to Speak ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/speaking) - [ Modern Sales Methodologies for Enterprises ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/modern-sales-metholodogies) - [ EVENTS ](https://events.thesalesblog.com) - [ BOOKS ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/books) - [ ABOUT ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/anthony-iannarino) - [ CONTACT ](https://www.thesalesblog.com/contact) - Hit Sales Targets [![View Events](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/b2e09c31-23bf-4ae9-b840-9ce632f62111.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/b2e09c31-23bf-4ae9-b840-9ce632f62111) ###### LIVE TRAINING EVENTS ### Upcoming virtual training events & in-person workshops ###### Improve your win rates [![Speaking](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/2a02e2ae-517f-42dc-a8db-40ef42615279.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/2a02e2ae-517f-42dc-a8db-40ef42615279) ###### Keynotes & Workshops ### Hire Anthony to Speak @ Your Event # Where Your Focus Goes ![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg) Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino) April 14, 2016 There are things that you cannot control, and things you can. Where you focus is important. It has much to do with how you view your life and happiness. ## Things You Cannot Control You cannot control the government or which party controls the Presidency, the Congress, or the Senate. You cannot control the policies they make or enforce. Unless politics is your life’s work, you have very little influence. You cannot control the economy. You personally have no ability change the economy for better or for worse. You can do nothing about recessions, and you can do nothing to make sure you have an opportunity for growth. The economy does what it does with no consideration of your needs whatsoever. You cannot control your prospects, your customers, your clients, your [competitors](http://thesalesblog.com/2015/03/12/you-cant-control-your-competitor/) or the people who work inside them. Nor can you control the people you work with, the people you work for, or any other person you encounter. You can’t stop people from making decisions and taking action with which you disagree. People are going to do what they will do. This is a very small part of a very, very long list. But there is another list. ## Things You Can Control You can control what you [believe](http://thesalesblog.com/2012/11/28/four-powerful-beliefs-you-must-hold-to-succeed-in-sales/) about your government, your economy, your clients, and other people. You can control whether you view them in a generally positive or negative light. You can decide not be consumed with things you cannot control and let them go. You can control your [attitude](http://thesalesblog.com/2013/04/16/attitude-checklist/). You can control how you interpret events and circumstances and what they mean to you. You can decide to be grateful, positive, and optimistic. It’s a choice that is wholly within your control. You can also control whether you view the world as a place of scarcity or [abundance](http://thesalesblog.com/2016/02/20/your-glass-is-overflowing/). You can choose to see possibilities or problems. You choose to see obstacles or opportunities. This decision is yours alone to make for yourself. You can control your own actions. You can control whether you do good work and make a positive contribution or whether you do the bare minimum required of you. You decide whether your work is intentional and meaningful or a “job.” You can [give yourself over](http://thesalesblog.com/2016/03/09/legacy-or-a-paycheck/) to your real work. You can control how you treat other people. You can choose compassion as your default in all human relationships. You can choose forgiveness over blame. You can invest in relationships and leave the people whose lives you touch better than you found them. You can control what kind of [leader](http://thesalesblog.com/2014/09/14/the-leadership-playbook-leaders-build-leaders/) you are. You can be the kind of leader who builds other leaders and leaves a lasting legacy. You can be person who made a difference in people’s lives; you can be the person who helped them to see what they were truly capable of. You can control whether you make a contribution to those in need. You can be that candle that lights dozens, or hundreds, or thousands of other candles, never losing the flame yourself and still having more to give. ## Your Focus There is no reason to spend time worrying about things you cannot control. If you are worried about something and there is something you can do about it, do that thing. But if there’s nothing you can do about it, there’s no reason to invest emotional energy in something that brings you pain, fear, doubt, or negativity. The very best investment of your time and emotional energy is spent on the things that you can control. The list above is a good place to start. [**Tweet](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Where+Your+Focus+Goes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesalesblog.com%2F2016%2F04%2F14%2Fwhere-your-focus-goes%2F%3Futm_source%3Dtwitter%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3DSocialWarfare&via=iannarino) **Pin [**Share231](https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesalesblog.com%2F2016%2F04%2F14%2Fwhere-your-focus-goes%2F%3Futm_source%3Dlinkedin%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3DSocialWarfare) [**Share28](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthesalesblog.com%2F2016%2F04%2F14%2Fwhere-your-focus-goes%2F%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3DSocialWarfare) [**Email](mailto:?subject=Where%20Your%20Focus%20Goes&body=There%20are%20things%20that%20you%20cannot%20control%2C%20and%20things%20you%20can.%20Where%20you%20focus%20is%20important.%20It%20has%20much%20to%20do%20with%20how%20you%20view%20your%20life%20and%20happiness.%20Things%20You%20Cannot%20Control%20You%20cannot%20control%20the%20government%20or%20which%20party%20controls%20the%20Presidency%2C%20the%20Congress%2C%20or%20the%20Senate.%20You%20cannot%20control%20the%20policies%20they%20make%20or%20enforce.%20Unless%20politics%20is%20your%20life%E2%80%99s%20work%2C%20you%20have%20very%20little%20influence.%20You%20cannot%20control%20the%20economy.%20You%20personally%20have%20no%20ability%20change%20the%20economy%20for%20better%20or%20for%20worse.%20You%20can%20do%20nothing%20about%20recessions%2C%20and%20you%20can%20do%20nothing%20to%20make%0D%0A%0D%0ARead%20More%20Here:%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fthesalesblog.com%2F2016%2F04%2F14%2Fwhere-your-focus-goes%2F%3Futm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3DSocialWarfare) [**Pocket](https://getpocket.com/save?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesalesblog.com%2F2016%2F04%2F14%2Fwhere-your-focus-goes%2F%3Futm_source%3Dpocket%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3DSocialWarfare) [**Buffer23](https://bufferapp.com/add?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesalesblog.com%2F2016%2F04%2F14%2Fwhere-your-focus-goes%2F%3Futm_source%3Dbuffer%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3DSocialWarfare&text=Where+Your+Focus+Goes) 282 Shares ###### Tags: [Sales](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/sales) [2016](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/2016) Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino) on April 14, 2016 Written and edited by human brains and human hands. ![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg) Anthony Iannarino is an American writer. He has published daily at [thesalesblog.com](https://www.thesalesblog.com) for more than 14 years, amassing over 5,300 articles and making this platform a destination for salespeople and sales leaders. Anthony is also the author of four best-selling books documenting modern sales methodologies and a fifth book for sales leaders seeking revenue growth. His latest book for an even wider audience is titled, The Negativity Fast: Proven Techniques to Increase Positivity, Reduce Fear, and Boost Success. Anthony speaks to sales organizations worldwide, delivering cutting-edge sales strategies and tactics that work in this ever-evolving B2B landscape. He also provides workshops and seminars. Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn, X or Youtube. You can email Anthony at [iannarino@gmail.com](mailto:iannarino@gmail.com) [Follow me on my website](https://www.thesalesblog.com/anthony-iannarino) [Follow me on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/thesalesblog) [Follow me on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannarino/) [Follow me on Twitter ](http://www.twitter.com/iannarino) [![AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg?width=400&height=400&name=AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/authority) [![ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg?width=318&height=179&name=ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/free-cold-calling-video) ![salescall-planner-ebook-v3-1-cover (1)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/salescall-planner-ebook-v3-1-cover%20(1).jpg?width=768&height=994&name=salescall-planner-ebook-v3-1-cover%20(1).jpg) ### Free Sales eBook: Sales Call Planner Planning your sales call improves the likelihood of making a successful call, and it demonstrates to your dream client your professionalism. [![DOWNLOAD EBOOK](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/c9f553be-fbba-4813-9199-95c1603472e7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/c9f553be-fbba-4813-9199-95c1603472e7) ## Are You Ready To Solve Your Sales Challenges? ![Anthony-Solve-Sales](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Anthony-Solve-Sales.png?width=290&height=221&name=Anthony-Solve-Sales.png) Hi, I’m Anthony. I help sales teams make the changes needed to create more opportunities & crush their sales targets. What we’re doing right now **is working**, even in this challenging economy. **Would you like some help?** [![Solve for Sales](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035) ### Join my Weekly Newsletter for Sales Tips Join 100,000+ sales professionals in my weekly newsletter and get my *Guide to Becoming a Sales Hustler* eBook for FREE! --- ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org/", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Anthony Iannarino" }, "dateModified" : "2021-09-17T2:38:04 PM", "datePublished" : "2016-04-14 22:47:32", "description" : "There are things that you cannot control, and things you can. Where you focus is important; it's the one thing you control.", "headline" : "Where Your Focus Goes", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 16, "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/2922376/Image/favicon.ico", "width" : 16 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/where-your-focus-goes", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "Where Your Focus Goes", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 24, "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/2922376/TSB/images/TSB%20Logo%20Dark.svg", "width" : 228 }, "name" : "The Sales Blog" } } ```