Circle of Control
Your thoughts, choices, and actions belong in this part of the circle.
What you can control
True or False: Boundaries are a way of controlling others.
False. They're about controlling our own actions and choices.
The S in SMART stands for this — it means your goal should be clear and well-defined.
What is Specific?
This wellness domain focuses on building healthy, supportive relationships?
What is social wellness?
This thinking trap makes you see things as “all good” or “all bad” with no in-between.
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
The weather, other people’s opinions, and the past are all part of this section.
What is out of your control
Saying “no” without guilt is a sign of this.
What is healthy boundaries?
The M in SMART means your goal should have a way to track progress.
What is Measurable?
This type of wellness involves keeping your brain active and learning new things.
What is cognitive wellness?
Giving yourself or someone else a harsh name like “loser” or “failure” is an example of this trap.
What is labeling?
What ‘circle of control’ strategy can you use next times you’re stressing about an upcoming test?
Name what you can and cannot control.
People with healthy boundaries take responsibility for this — and let others do the same.
What are their own feelings and actions?
This letter reminds you to make sure your goal is realistic and possible to achieve.
What is Attainable or Achievable?
Journaling, art, or talking to a friend are of leisure activities that belong to this domain.
What is emotional wellness?
Assuming you know what someone else is thinking or what will happen before you have facts is an example of this.
What is jumping to conclusions?
This strategy can help manage stress by shifting focus from things you can’t change to the actions you can take.
What is coping strategies?
This communication skill helps you express needs respectfully and clearly.
What is assertiveness?
If your goal doesn’t connect to what’s important to you, you might lose motivation.
What is Relevant?
This benefit of exercise helps lower stress by releasing this neurotransmitter — also known as “feel-good chemicals.”
What is reducing stress or releasing endorphins via physical wellness activities?
This thinking trap means you only notice the negative parts of a situations and ignore the positive.
What is discounting the positives?
True or False, there is sometimes a third inner circle called “circle of influence” that is included in this concept?
True. When you focus your energy on what you can influence, you are practicing this mindset - acting with influence.
Healthy boundaries sit in the middle — they are neither too ___ nor too ___.
What is too weak or too diffuse?
“I want to drink more water” becomes SMART when you add this detail: “I will drink 2 L of water daily for two weeks.
What is Timely?
True or False: Trying new hobbies can improve brain flexibility. Name this term.
What is True? Neuroplasticity describes our brains ability to form new connections through learning and experience.
During group project feedback, your teacher says the class needs to improve communication. You immediately think, “They’re talking about me — I must have ruined it for everyone.”
Which thinking trap are you falling into?
What is personalization?