Each of us has a circle of concern and a circle of control, as Covey describes in “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”.
Your circle of concern is immense. It includes the broad range of issues and items you care about. Many of the things in this large circle are simply beyond your ability to influence or change.
Your circle of influence is narrower. It includes factors you over which you have influence and can do something about. We can change our attitude, skills, and knowledge. We can influence or change a subset of the issues in our concerns.
To make a difference, identify those aspects you can change. The issues for which you have the necessary skills or resources to address. The Knowledge, skills, and attitudes we can enhance. As the factors in your control change or broaden, so will your ability to influence a broader range of items of concern.
In short, make the best use of what you can control or change. As you enhance your abilities and a subset or your concerns, your area of influence will expand naturally. Build skills and knowledge. Recognize small change. Don’t waste energy on factors beyond your control. You have great opportunities within your circle of influence.
Epictetus: "Some things are up to us; some are not"