Telling yourself you have no choice is an excuse.

You can blame…

• Your boss
• The system
• The economy
• The culture
• Bad luck
• Your parents
• Your bank account
• Your competition
• Your customers
• Fate
• God

Or you can realize what you can control or influence, then act on that.

You have more agency than you think. Here are some examples:

• Managing your “spare time”
• Offering a kind word
• Your attitude/outlook
• Developing your skills
• Establishing your habits
• Being generous
• Showing patience to others
• Identifying your calling
• Listening to others
• Being vulnerable (risk)
• Putting yourself out there

You can keep focusing on external factors out of your control, or you can focus on the many things you can influence about yourself.

When you start with managing yourself, it’s amazing how the external things change.

The change your seeking starts with you.