The concept is quite simple – there are two circles we all deal with in life.    The larger circle is called the “Circle of Concern.”  It consists of all the big things in life that you may be concerned about – world hunger, world peace, declining moral values, the war on terrorism, the high suicide rate, the Air Force retention rate, and many other things.  As we struggle with those big issues, it is easy to become frustrated and lose heart.  Millions of people go to bed hungry every night.  Suicide rates remain high.  We are bombarded with news stories of corruption, crime, and violence.  We wring our hands and wonder if these problems will ever go away.  In some instances, we may even be tempted to concede defeat, finding the problems simply too big or too difficult to solve.

            Fortunately, we each have a second circle – the “Circle of Influence.”  This circle is a smaller subset of the larger circle.  The great thing about the Circle of Influence is that it contains specific opportunities for us to make a difference.  It contains issues that we can control, take action on, or as the name suggests, influence.  While the size of a Circle of Influence varies from person to person and from issue to issue, the principle remains the same.  I believe the most successful people are those who have identified their Circle of Influence and are focused on it like a laser beam.

            My challenge is simple – let’s identify our Circle of Influence, and focus our efforts there.  Instead of wringing our hands over world hunger (Circle of Concern), let’s buy a bag of groceries for a family in need (Circle of Influence).  Instead of worrying about world poverty (CoC), let’s volunteer to help sort and distribute clothes and toys with Bagram Air Field’s Operation Care (CoI).  Instead of losing sleep over the war on terrorism (CoC), let’s help the enemy lose sleep by performing our mission here at Bagram with excellence (CoI).  Instead of feeling helpless against the high suicide rate (CoC), let’s ask our co-workers how they are doing today, and if they want to go workout, watch a movie, or play bingo (CoI).  Instead of lamenting the declining moral values of our society (CoC), let’s teach our children the difference between right and wrong, and share our faith with a neighbor (CoI).  Instead of staring hopelessly at a negative trend on an Air Force retention graph (CoC), let’s tell a first term Airman about the many benefits of a military career (CoI).  The list goes on and on.

            I believe the Air Force rewards people who focus on their Circle of Influence.  Evaluation reports don’t describe all the things you worried about.  They focus on how you took action to solve particular problems.  Promotion boards reward those who act, not those who were aware of (and frustrated by) many big problems facing the military.  In fact, one benefit of a promotion is that it tends to increase the size of your Circle of Influence.  As we rise through the ranks, our influence over certain issues tends to grow.  In essence, by focusing on our Circle of Influence, we are rewarded with an even larger circle to focus on.  We increasingly focus on “what I can do,” not “what they should be doing.”

            My Youth Minister had it right, and his words changed my life.  I still spend too much time in my Circle of Concern, and as a result, I still worry too much.  But whenever I focus on my Circle of Influence – be it at work, at home, or at church – I feel a lot more productive and see a lot more results.  So the next time you’re worried over some big problem in your life, I encourage you to step back and identify the two circles that are involved.  Then, just like my Youth Minister once said, “Focus on your Circle of Influence!”