Blog #680: Chasing My Tail
Chasing My Tail: Focus on What You Can Control
Welcome to ShawnAnderson.com, where progress begins with clarity. In today’s blog post, Chasing My Tail, Shawn Anderson explores how focusing on things beyond our control keeps us stuck while shifting our mindset creates real progress.
The email was signed “Chasing My Tail.”
Read why.
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Here’s an excerpt:
“…every time things seem like they’re starting to go in the right direction, something happens that knocks me down again. For years, I’ve been continually trying to motivate myself to start over again and again, and I feel as if I’m still not any closer to achieving my goal. At what point do I accept my goal was too big and this is as far as my success goes?”
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It’s a biting question.
“Is this as far as my success goes?”
A painful self-ask.
I can’t answer the question for anyone else in the world.
But…
When the question has stared at my brain, I’ve found my answer.
“I have further to go.”
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From my own continuous life experiment…
Stress holds back success.
So my guiding thought is…
The less stress and energy I give to what I can’t control…
The more energy I have to give to what I can control.
And that pushes me closer to achieving a goal.
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What can I control?
Getting up.
Getting going.
Doing the work.
Living positively.
Living passionately.
Living purposefully.
Making the call.
Sending the email.
Submitting the application.
Believing in me.
Putting myself out there.
Starting again. And again.
I control those things.
YOU control those things.
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So in answering the potentially self-deflating question…
“Is this as far as my success goes?”
My answer for myself is a giant “Nope!”
What’s your answer for you?
S.
Chasing My Tail: Breaking the Cycle
In Chasing My Tail, Shawn reflects on how people often waste energy worrying about things they can’t change. This habit creates frustration and prevents meaningful action. Instead of allowing these distractions to take over, we must redirect our focus to what truly matters. Small, intentional choices lead to bigger results over time.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Life moves forward when we take control of what we can influence. Chasing My Tail reminds us that progress happens when we shift our attention from limitations to possibilities. Rather than dwelling on obstacles, we should embrace solutions. With the right perspective, even setbacks become stepping stones to success.
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EXTRA Thoughts…
In reflecting on my biggest successes…
The more I put energy into what I could control…
The more I subtracted power from what I couldn’t.
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Miss last week’s blog?
I shared a story about walking on the bike path and being purposefully bumped by a bicyclist. The words he yelled after were…shocking!
Curious?
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May you create a successful week…and may you inspire someone else to live the same.
Thank you for your time…and reading.
With gratitude…
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