Over a Beer: Following the Election, Focus on What’s in Your Control

Editor’s Note: “Over a Beer” is a regular column written by Greg Heil. While Greg is the Editor in Chief for Singletracks.com, any opinions expressed in this column are his alone and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Singletracks.com.

As I wake up today, I find a new America laid out before me. Things will, undoubtedly, change.

Unrelated to the presidential election, I was recently reading an article on the Art of Manliness, titled “5 Tools for Thriving in Uncertainty.”

While there are 5 different tools mentioned, one of the key tenets that the article hinged on was what the author, Kyle Eschenroeder, refers to as the “Triad of Control.” Here’s how he explains it:

Every time you begin to feel anxious or upset, try practicing the Triad of Control. To do this, you simply distinguish, in any given situation, whether you have total control, no control, or some control. Then, focus on what is in your control

No matter who you voted for in this election cycle, it’s safe to say that the entire world has been plunged into a state of uncertainty. No matter what a presidential candidate may have claimed during his race, as we’ve seen over the decades, claims can fall flat, or never come to fruition.

As I read through my Facebook feed this morning, I saw posts from friends who are crying for America. Who don’t know how they’re going to face today. Who don’t know how to move forward from this point.

The key, my friends, is to focus on what’s in your control, and to completely ignore everything that’s outside of it.

Sure, as of yesterday, we had some control over the outcome of the election, thanks to the ballots that every one of us (hopefully) cast. Now, on November 9th, we have no control–and we need to accept that.

The good news is that we still have plenty of control over certain things in our lives. And one of those things is mountain biking.

Just Keep Pedaling

As I look at the new world ahead, as I wonder what’s coming down the pipe for America and indeed, the globe, I do know one thing: no matter what happens, I’m going to keep pedaling.

This afternoon I will grab my mountain bike, head out into the hills, and start turning over the pedals, one revolution at a time. The rhythm of the rotating cranks, the crunch of the dirt and rocks under the tires, the chain ca-chunking into place with each shift–the rhythms, the sounds, and the movements of my life will continue on.

At least, I hope the chain ca-chunks into place. With the state of my derailleurs, you never do know!

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