This is an exercise adapted from Russ Harris's ACT Made Simple (Chapter 9, Drop The Struggle) as an exploration of the areas that we cannot control and developing the ability to control what we can. I ask the client to carefully circle only those phrases that describe what we can potentially control. Once they circle at least nine different phrases we discuss and process their choices. This becomes a teaching tool for exploring the concept of dropping the struggle. I usually will discuss the wisdom of the Serenity Prayer and how our work together will involve identifying and relinquishing control of what we cannot control so that we can develope (psychological flexibility) skills for what we potentially can. Whether or not the client circles incorrect responses, it tends to open the door for exploration and discussion.
