Lynda Moore says we can spend far too much time and energy worrying about things we can’t change, and not enough on what we can, and then doing something about it

“Has the world gone mad”?  This was a question that popped up when I was out with a group of friends enjoying a lovely balmy afternoon having Friday afternoon drinks.  It really livened up the conversation as we talked about everything from the cyclone on its way to Brisbane, to world affairs, like the Ukraine war and Gaza and of course what is Trump doing?  And what do you think he’s going to do next? I’m sure we weren’t the only group of friends having this kind of conversation.

Some of the group, were following the news very closely and taking it all in and had plenty to contribute to the conversation.  Others were finding it too stressful and had switched off from media and just wanted to change the subject completely.  It didn’t matter which approach you took, there was definitely an element of uncertainty about our own futures, even if we do feel relatively safe tucked down here at the bottom of the world. 

As an individual (or family), we can’t control the outcome of world events, but what we can take control over is our own backyard and how we respond to those events that directly affect us.

It is how you respond to an event that will determine the outcome for you.

From the very simple example of, someone cuts you off in traffic on the way to work.  Are you going to let it ruin your day, and be grumpy?  Or are you going to let it go and put smile on your face as you head through the door?

To feeling so overwhelmed and paralysed by world affairs that you can’t plan for your own future, just in case….. (you can fill in your own fear here).

It sounds a lot easier said than done, but to the best of your ability try not to worry about events you personally can't control.  Look at your own choices and the events going on in your own circle of life and how you can respond to them differently. Your best friend buys a new car, do you go and buy one too, so you don’t feel left out.  Or do you congratulate them and ask them to take you for a spin instead, and drop some money into Kiwisaver, or off the credit card instead.

Focus on what you can control.

You can decide whether you want to spend that salary bonus or use that windfall from dear Aunty Meg on frivolous 'wants', rather than pay off some of your mortgage - or even investing in your retirement fund!

You can’t control the interest rate on your mortgage, but you can talk to your bank about different options for repaying it .  Or you could choose to divert money spent on lifestyle to your mortgage.

You can’t control mother nature and prevent another earthquake, but you can donate time, money, food and clothing to a charity to help those who have been affected.

We can spend far too much time and energy worrying about things we can’t change and not enough on what we can and then doing something about it.

Every morning when you wake up, you make the choice on how you are going to respond to events throughout your day, both financial and non-financial. Make the choice to focus on what you can control, and you never know that one small thing that you decide to do in your own neighbourhood might be enough to start a positive movement and flow on effect.

*Lynda Moore is a Money Mentalist coach and New Zealand’s only certified New Money Story® mentor. Lynda helps you understand why you do the things you do with your money, when we all know we should spend less than we earn. You can contact her here.