Be A Control Freak
YOU NEED TO BECOME A CONTROL FREAK!
WHAT??? Has Marcy finally lost it?
Nobody likes a control freak! They’re demanding, obsessive, overbearing, and determined to have everything their way.
But what if becoming a control freak is one of the smartest decisions you’ll ever make?
I’m talking about becoming a control freak when it comes to YOURSELF!
Your thoughts. Your words. Your reactions. Your decisions. Your actions.
Let me explain.
You know my four favorite mindset messages:
- We become what we think about.
- Something gooooddd is gonna happen to me!
- I create my life!
- People love to give me money!
These aren’t just cute sayings. They shape how I approach my work, my relationships, my challenges, and my life.
And WOW, did I get to practice them this past weekend!
A little mindset magic at Forest Lake Academy
I joined my colleagues at Forest Lake Academy in Florida for an incredible ribbon cutting, building dedication, and two-day alumni celebration.
After nearly 50 years without new construction, the school was celebrating beautiful new buildings that will transform the experience for students, teachers, and families for generations to come!
There was just one little complication.
Our Development Director had unexpectedly welcomed her beautiful baby early! She did manage to stop by, baby in arms, and offer some direction, but the rest of us were pulling together to make it all happen.
Were there challenges? YOU BET!
The new elevators were in place but couldn’t be installed in time because of installer union issues. Some tours were spontaneous and probably missed a few stops. There were moments when we needed to regroup, rethink, and redirect.
But here’s what struck me.
WE MANAGED OUR MINDS!
Instead of dwelling on what wasn’t working, we kept coming back to what WAS working.
Instead of getting stuck in frustration, we found another way.
And instead of allowing a few bumps to overshadow this historic occasion, we celebrated the extraordinary achievement unfolding right before our eyes!
Was everything perfect? Of course not.
Was it wonderful? ABSOLUTELY!
And that’s the power of mindset.
90% of major giving success is in your head!
I share this in nearly every talk I give.
Think about what you tell yourself as you approach your work.
Are you thinking:
- “People are asked too much.”
- “Our mission doesn’t attract as many givers as theirs.”
- “The economy is so uncertain.”
- “People are stressed out. This isn’t a good time to ask.”
OR are you thinking:
“People LOVE to give me money!”
Why? Because YOU are the link between their generosity and the impact they long to make. You create the opportunity for them to invest in something meaningful and experience the JOY of giving!
Same economy. Same mission. Same potential givers.
Different mindset. Different actions. Different results.
Whatever you repeat, you become!
One of the simplest ways to retrain our brains is to pay attention to the words we use—especially the words we say to ourselves.
During our FLA weekend, I noticed that occasionally we would slip into complaining about what someone was or wasn’t doing.
But we caught ourselves! We reframed. We redirected. We got back to creating a wonderful experience.
That’s why I LOVE mantras. I say my four mindset messages to myself AND OUT LOUD, often!
Think about these everyday statements:
“I can’t.” What if you replaced that with “I haven’t figured out how YET!”
“I’m so stupid!” How about “Well, THAT didn’t work. What can I learn?”
“I’m too busy!” Try “Today is packed, but I can make time for what matters.”
“Life isn’t fair!” Maybe not. But what CAN you do to make the situation better?
These aren’t just changes in vocabulary. They are changes in possibility!
And I’m not suggesting you ignore real challenges, deny difficult feelings, or pretend everything is sunshine and roses.
I’m suggesting you intentionally TALK TO YOURSELF as who you want to be and take charge of what happens NEXT!
Control what you CAN control!
You cannot control the economy, someone else’s behavior, the past, or every unexpected obstacle that comes your way.
You certainly can’t control whether the elevators are installed in time for the ribbon cutting!
But you CAN influence how you interpret what happens, how you respond, what you say, and what you choose to do next.
THAT is where your power lives!
Mental toughness doesn’t mean you never experience fear, doubt, frustration, or discouragement. It means those emotions don’t get the final vote.
You may not control the first thought that pops into your head. But you can challenge it, redirect it, and decide whether it deserves to stay.
And every time you choose possibility over pessimism, courage over fear, and action over excuses, you strengthen that ability.
It takes practice. I know. I practice every single day!
So who’s running YOUR mind?
As you move into these final weeks of the year, I encourage you to become a CONTROL FREAK!
Not over your colleagues. Not over your board. Not over your givers. And certainly not over circumstances you cannot change.
Become a control freak over the thoughts you nurture, the words you speak, the choices you make, and the actions you take.
Your thoughts influence your choices.
Your choices guide your actions.
Your actions create your results.
And here’s the beautiful part.
YOU get to choose what happens next!
So when that next challenge arrives, when the unexpected happens, when you’re tempted to say, “This will never work”…
Remember those four mindset messages.
And especially this one:
SOMETHING GOOOODDD IS GONNA HAPPEN TO ME!
Because when you manage your mind, you’re ready to help make it happen!
Invest in Joy!â„¢
