If you were to ask the PointNorth team how they feel about control you may hear something like, “Control? We don’t care about that? We’re a laid-back easy goin' kinda team.”

And that’s mostly true. 

We do have control freak moments, and I’m certainly a recovering control addict.

Control makes us feel safe. And for a long time, I needed that. But then I had to realize...

In the grand scheme of things, I actually have very little control. And the concept of controlling a situation is often an illusion.

It wasn’t a fun realization –– but it did allow me to use more effective models, like the CIA model of control. 

I learned a long time ago in one of my organizational development courses the Control, Influence, Accept model. This CIA model is used to help define our circles of control, to help us manage being overwhelmed and stressed! Here's how it works.

Picture an elephant in the road. You want to cross the road. However, the elephant is blocking the road. You have three choices:

• You try to control the elephant and move the elephant out of the road.

• Question to consider: Am I strong enough to physically move the elephant?

• You try to influence the elephant to move out of the road.

• Question to consider: Can I motivate the elephant to move?

• Question to consider: What would influence the elephant to want to move on their own off the road and let me pass?

• You accept the elephant may not be moving out of the road.

• Question to consider: Is there a different route I can take?

• Question to consider: Do I have time to wait until the elephant moves?

Moving an elephant is challenging. The "elephants" we may "need" to control can be personal or professional challenges. What elephants may be causing you to feel overwhelmed and stressed? 

Having practiced this model for some time I have a fourth addition to this thought-process - adapt. Recognizing what I can control, influence or accept should have a fourth component - what can I do to adapt? Being agile and adaptive is a critical key to surviving in today’s changing world. A company, a not-for-profit organization, a municipal government agency, a team, and even individuals all must evolve, be agile and open to change. 

So my invitation to you is to ask:

Can I control this, can I influence this, do I need to just accept this situation and adapt? Once you consider these four principles, the more intentionality you have, the more present you can be and likely the more opportunity to let go of overwhelm and stress! Give it a try and let me know if it works for you!