This short but powerful phrase came to me from my friend David Brown and his yoga teacher. It is one of the foundational themes of the Bhagavad Gita and remains ever true and ever important.

It speaks to the fact that we must do everything in our power to fulfill our mission here on earth, but once we have done all we can, we must let go of our attachment to the outcome. In other words, focus on what we can control versus what we can’t.  

Obviously, this is easier said than done. Once we have put our best efforts toward achieving a goal, we certainly hope to accomplish it. That said, many outside factors can influence the end result and prevent us from realizing what we had set out to do.

Deo volente. 

That is Latin for God Willing. Or in sha’Allah, as my Muslim friends say. 

Sometimes, things just aren’t meant to be, no matter how hard we try.

This is why, once again, we must focus on what we can control. Focus on the process and what we are learning along the way, and let the cards fall where they may.

This may sound defeatist, but ultimately, it’s the most realistic way to view things. Bet on what we can influence, and let go of the rest—a true recipe for Sanity 101.

The irony is that so many organizations are focused on their goals and results when, ironically, the only things they can change are their actions and the processes that ultimately lead to their results. 

This is the same principle as focusing on leading vs. lagging indicators. Leading indicators are defined as measurable actions or ingredients toward a goal. For example, sales calls made. And lagging indicators are the tangible results of both internal actions and external forces. Ex: total sales.  

So ask yourself: are you concentrating on your choice of paths, or are you fixated on the destination? One leads to a sense of control, autonomy and happiness; the other most often leads to frustration and disempowerment. 

What choice are you making?