Take Control. But what does “Control” Really Mean?

by johnrobb on January 20, 2012

One of things I strongly advocate, if you want to thrive during the turbulent teens, is to take control.

It shouldn’t matter what the global economy or your government is doing (even though in most cases, their dysfunctional behavior is working against you 24×7).   All that really matters is that you are in control.  If you can gain control, success is not only likely, it’s probable.

But…  what does BEING IN CONTROL really mean?  I can help you with that.

What  Control Is 

As a former spec ops guy, pilot, author, CEO, etc.  (control heavy professions), I’ve learned that being in control is NOT about:

  • Controlling the behavior of anybody else.
  • Control over EVERY detail and every situation (the micro environment).
  • Control of everything that’s going on in the world (the macro environment).

If you attempt any of the above, you are a control freak.  You won’t be happy with yourself, people will find you miserable to be around, and you will be unlikely to achieve the results you seek.

Real control, the kind of control that keeps you alive on dangerous missions and gets you out-sized results regardless of how difficult things become, is simple.  It’s control over:

  • Preparation.  Planning.  Skills.  Resources.  Enter every situation ahead of the power curve.
  • Direction.  No plan survives first contact.  Know where you are going.
  • Process.   How you get things done, matters.

As you can see, real control is about knowing how to think correctly.

People in control, the way I’ve described it above, are naturally resilient.   Disruptions are dealt with quickly, fellow travelers/collaborators are easy to find/partner with, and opportunities are rapidly seized.

Obviously, control can be learned, and it doesn’t take a genetic marvel to master it.  All it takes is a desire to do so.

So, if you want to learn how to gain control before events give you the bum’s rush out of a successful future, stay tuned.

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Javier January 22, 2012 at 5:57 pm

I never thought about control that way, very interesting,
could you please elaborate on those three points?
Tuned.

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Javier January 23, 2012 at 12:52 am

Process, out of the three items is the one I wonder about,
it certainly matters, but how should things be done?
what does a high level algorithm in that regard turned to English looks like?

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Brian January 24, 2012 at 8:11 pm

I have found that quite often its not that you have a specific process to follow, but that you pick a process and stick with it. It gives you a framework to build around and help you to keep from overlooking things that might otherwise have gotten lost in the shuffle. ISO processes are a good example. Having the process does not mean that it is a good process, but that you have a framework to follow that has been decided upon in advance so that when things get bad you have it to fall back on, rather than trying to create a methodology during the crisis.

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gary blair January 24, 2012 at 2:07 am

Thankyou sir. Keep up the good work.

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James Pearsall January 28, 2012 at 5:18 pm

Nice to meet guys who think on these lines, some people consider us as pessimists or thinking always of doomsday. majority does not want to be realistic. No problem we just keep on going good luck everybody

james

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