Despite global chaos, you can regain a sense of control and purpose by focusing on three specific areas where your actions still matter tremendously. When the world feels overwhelming – with conflicts raging, political upheaval, and growing inequality – these practical steps will help you move from helplessness to good-feeling action.
Feelings of helplessness don’t just affect our mood – they actively impair our critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. They make us listless and fearful, cutting through our capacity to function like a scythe through wheat.
The good news? You still maintain complete control in three vital domains of your life, regardless of what’s happening globally.
Actions To Take Now (20-Minute Power Reset)
1. Control What You Consume
You are what you eat – literally and figuratively. Take 5 minutes to list the media you regularly consume and what foods/drinks you typically choose.
Then ask yourself:
- Do these choices empower or deplete me?
- Do I feel better after consuming them?
- Do they help me sleep well and think clearly?
Why this matters: While you cannot control global events, you have complete authority over what enters your body, mind, and soul.
2. Focus Where You Have Influence
You are what you do. Take 5 minutes to list the places where you spend time and have relationships – family, home, work, social circles, volunteer positions.
Then identify:
- Where can your actions make the most tangible difference?
- Which relationships can you improve immediately?
- What small change would create the biggest positive impact?
Why this matters: Your life intersects with many others daily, creating countless opportunities for meaningful action when the larger world feels beyond your reach.
3. Live Your Core Values
You are your values. Take 10 minutes to write down:
- What 3 things do you want to be known for?
- What 3 things would you hate if people said about you?
- What simple action can you take today that aligns with your top value?
Why this matters: When your actions and words align with your values, life flows with greater ease and joy – even amid external chaos.
Your Personal Agency Cheat Sheet
| Domain | What To Focus On | What To Reduce | Quick Win |
| Consumption | Empowering media, nourishing foods | Doom-scrolling, inflammatory content | Delete one negative news source from your phone |
| Influence | Close relationships, immediate community | Global issues beyond your control | Improve one important relationship today |
| Values | Actions that reflect who you want to be | Activities that contradict your principles | Do one small thing that represents your top value |
The world may feel increasingly chaotic, but by focusing on these three domains, you shift from helpless observer to empowered participant in your own life. The simplest action taken today creates momentum that builds resilience for whatever tomorrow brings.
What one step will you take in the next 20 minutes? Share your commitment in the comments.
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