Research from the Health and Safety Executive shows that work-related stress, Do you ever find yourself worrying about things you can’t control?
For many people, that might be finances, workload, family pressures, or wider events outside of work. If you’re honest, it’s something most of us experience at some point and to a degree, it’s completely normal. Worry is often linked to our natural desire for certainty and control, particularly in environments where demands are high and outcomes can feel unpredictable.
The challenge is that when our attention stays fixed on things outside of our control, it can become mentally draining. Over time, this can increase stress levels, affect concentration, and impact how we perform day to day.
Research supports this. A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that many common worries do not come to pass, with participants reporting that a large proportion of their feared outcomes never actually happened.
There is also strong evidence linking uncertainty and lack of control to stress. The Health and Safety Executive identifies workload, lack of control, and poor support as key causes of work-related stress in the UK.
In industries like demolition, where conditions can change quickly and decisions carry real consequences, these factors are often part of the day-to-day environment.
So, what can we do about it?
The Technique: Spheres of Influence
One practical and effective way to manage this is by focusing on what we can control. This approach is often referred to as your ‘Spheres of Influence’, a simple but powerful way of understanding where to direct your time and energy.
Start by identifying the things that are currently causing you stress or concern. This could be anything from workload pressures and deadlines to wider issues outside of work.
Once you have a clear list, work through each item and ask yourself:
- Do I have control over this?
- Can I influence it in some way?
- Or is it completely outside of my control?
You can then group them into three areas:
- Within my control – things you can act on directly
- I can influence – things you can affect to some extent
- Outside my control – things you cannot change
The next step is where the real value lies. Focus your time and energy on the areas where you can take action; what’s within your control, and where you can have influence.
For the things that sit outside of your control, the goal isn’t to ignore them entirely, but to recognise their limits and reduce how much mental energy they take up.
Turning Down the Noise
When something outside of your control still feels significant, there are a few simple ways to manage its impact:
Limit information overload
Constant exposure to news or updates can increase stress and anxiety. Research from the Department of Psychology at The State University of New Jersey highlights that ongoing exposure to stressful news can negatively affect mental wellbeing.
Talk it through
Speaking to someone you trust can help bring perspective. Mind notes that sharing worries can reduce their intensity and improve mental wellbeing.
Focus on your response
While you may not control the situation itself, you can control how you respond – your actions, your attitude, and how you support others around you.
Why this matters
In high-pressure environments like demolition, where focus, decision-making, and safety are critical, allowing stress to build around things outside of your control can have real consequences.
By directing your energy more effectively, you not only reduce unnecessary stress but also improve your ability to perform, communicate, and make clear decisions on site.
We can’t remove pressure from the job but we can be more deliberate about where we focus our attention.
Written for the NFDC by David Price, Vector Equilibrium
Updated by the Editors @ NFDC
Resources
We have presentations, leaflets, and posters which you can download and print to support your teams on-site.
Originally published Apr 30, 2026 10:07:48 AM, updated April 30 2026.
