Living in Your Three-Foot World

It is often easy to become discouraged and overwhelmed by external factors outside our control. Developing a strategy that allows you to focus on the present, build momentum and eventually accomplish the task you are trying to complete is essential. A concept that I came across that I’ve found very beneficial is called living in your three-foot world. It was developed and utilized by U.S. Navy SEALs to overcome tremendously difficult training and operations. 

This technique highlights the importance of focusing on what you can personally affect instead of worrying about everything else around you that you cannot control. It is often easy to let external factors creep in and sabotage our progress toward a goal.

Applying the three-foot world concept in everyday life can significantly improve stress management. For instance, at work, instead of worrying about companywide issues or long-term uncertainties, focus on the tasks you can complete today. This might include finishing a report, responding to emails or preparing for a meeting. Concentrating on these immediate tasks can increase productivity and reduce anxiety.

An example of this in my current role is developing daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly goals. Without a well-defined daily plan, it is tough to accomplish the longer-term goals. Focusing on the present and the activity at hand results in better outcomes with less stress.

In personal relationships, the three-foot world can help you manage conflicts and improve communication. Instead of dwelling on past issues or future uncertainties, focus on the current conversation and what you can do to improve the situation. This approach produces better understanding and resolutions.

I’ve utilized the above strategies often throughout my personal and professional life. In my previous career, I was a police officer for a large metropolitan city. The events of 2020 forever changed the profession. Throughout the riots in our city, I often found myself present in situations that seemed unwinnable. Focusing on what I could immediately control, as opposed to the total gravity of the situation, allowed me to reduce stress and work through complex situations successfully. Unfortunately, I sustained a career-ending injury and was presented with two choices: I could feel sorry for myself and blame others, or I could leverage my skill set and pursue new opportunities.

After working as a police officer for over 12 years, I never planned to switch to an entirely new career/industry, but I did exactly that, three times. Each time, I relied heavily on focusing on what I could control at the moment, having a positive attitude, and giving maximum effort.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.

This article originally appeared in RISE Together: A Newsletter for Emerging Security Leaders, presented by SIA’s RISE community.