“When the illusion of control collides with the reality of influence”

You can see where the disappointment lies. We’re never in control, not of anything but the monologue in our head and the actions we choose to take. Everything else, if we’re lucky, is a matter of influence. If we do our work and invest our energy, perhaps we can influence events, perhaps we can contribute to things turning out in a way we’re pleased with.

Source: Seth Godin writing in “The illusion of control” – as erudite as usual.