By Dr. Larry Goodman
Lately, I’ve been hearing it from so many people: “The world is falling apart.” They tell me they feel powerless, overwhelmed by negativity, and frustrated with the constant division. They watch the news, scroll social media, and feel like everything is spiraling out of control.
I had a client come to me last week, exhausted. “Dr. Goodman, I don’t even want to go outside anymore. People are angry, rude, and divided. Nothing makes sense. What am I supposed to do?”
It’s a valid question. When the world feels chaotic, it’s natural to feel like you’re just along for the ride.
But I told them the same thing I’ll tell you now:
You can’t control the world, but you CAN control how you show up in it.
The Truth About External Chaos
We get stuck in this belief that if only the world changed, then we’d feel better.
If only people were kinder, I wouldn’t feel so drained.
If only politicians made better decisions, I wouldn’t be so worried.
If only my family stopped arguing, I’d finally have peace.
The problem? You’re putting your power in someone else’s hands. And let me be clear: No one is going to hand you the peace, clarity, or confidence you’re waiting for.
This was the first thing I helped my client realize. They had been stuck in reaction mode—responding to the world’s chaos with stress, anger, and frustration. But what they hadn’t considered was that they had the ability to shift the energy around them by changing how they showed up.
How Do You Regain Your Power?
I gave them three strategies that I’m going to share with you today:
1. Control What You Feed Your Mind
What do you expect to come out if you pour negativity into your brain? If you’re scrolling through divisive arguments, watching 24-hour bad-news cycles, and engaging in toxic conversations… your mind is going to reflect that back to you.
Instead, try this: Be intentional about what you consume. If something makes you feel anxious or angry, step away from it. Replace that time with something productive—read something uplifting, engage in a positive conversation, or spend time outside. You’d be amazed how much lighter you feel when you stop feeding yourself stress.
2. Choose Intentional Conversations
My client admitted they were engaging in every debate they could find—arguing politics, fighting over opinions, getting sucked into drama. It was draining them.
I asked, “Are those conversations actually making an impact, or are they just making you more exhausted?”
Silence. Then, a sigh. “They’re just making me angry.”
Here’s the truth: Not every battle needs to be fought. Instead of arguing over things you can’t control, focus on conversations that build people up, offer solutions, and bring clarity. You don’t have to agree with everyone, but you can engage with purpose.
3. Be the Example
You want the world to be kinder? Start by being the kindest person in the room.You want people to be more respectful? Show them what that looks like.You want more solutions instead of endless complaints? Be the one bringing solutions to the table.
When I told my client this, they pushed back: “But why should I be the one to change? Shouldn’t other people do their part too?”
Yes, they should. But here’s the thing—you can’t make them. What you can do is set the tone. Your energy is contagious. When you shift, the people around you shift.
And guess what? A week later, my client came back with a smile. “I stopped engaging in all the negativity, and I actually feel good for the first time in months. And you know what? People around me are noticing. My friends are less reactive, my family is arguing less, and I actually feel lighter.”
That’s how powerful this shift is.
The Conclusion: It Starts With You
Look, the world isn’t perfect. But you don’t have to wait for it to change before you reclaim your peace, power, and confidence. You have control over how you respond, how you show up, and how you influence the people around you.
So I’ll leave you with this question: How are you going to show up today?
Will you keep reacting to chaos, or will you start creating the kind of energy you want to see more of?
If you’re feeling stuck, coaching can help. Let’s work together to shift your mindset, reclaim your personal power, and help you show up as the best version of yourself.
🌟 Coaching with Dr. Goodman🌐 www.goodmanfactor.com
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