Shannon Sharpe’s recent viral moment offers a harsh reminder: 'You can control your actions, but you can’t control the consequences.' This powerful lesson, passed down from his grandfather, highlights the importance of controlling your actions. In a world where one mistake or slip can instantly lead to judgment, it’s how you respond afterward that truly defines your character.
Why Controlling Your Actions Matters More Than Ever
We live in a world where everything is recorded, screenshotted, and dissected. One wrong move can spiral out of control. Sharpe’s situation proves this. When an unexpected video surfaced on his Instagram Live, it spread like wildfire. The backlash was instant. The damage was done. But instead of hiding, he took full ownership and addressed it head-on. That’s the move of someone who understands that while you can’t change the past, you can control your response.
Shannon Sharpe is a voice I admire and respect, and I deeply value his journey. Check out his reaction as he addresses his viral moment with co-host Chad Ochocinco Johnson on NightCap. [ Watch Here ]
The 7 Rules:
1. Own Your Mistakes Before They Own You
When something goes wrong, your first instinct might be to deny, deflect, or disappear. But controlling your actions through accountability flips the script. Sharpe didn’t wait for the narrative to spin out of control—he faced it directly. Owning up fast can stop the situation from growing bigger than it needs to be.
2. Control How You React
The internet thrives on drama. The more you resist, the harder it pushes. Trying to control what people say or think about you is a losing battle. Instead, focus on what’s within your power: your next move, your mindset, and your ability to keep pushing forward.
3. Transparency Builds Trust
People respect honesty. When you try to cover up mistakes, the truth will eventually come out—and by then, the damage is worse. Sharpe’s immediate response to his viral moment didn’t erase what happened, but it earned him respect. Be upfront, be real, and don’t try to spin the truth.
4. Your Reputation Is Built on Patterns, Not Moments
A single mistake doesn’t define you—your consistent actions do. If you’ve built a life on discipline, hard work, and integrity, controlling your actions ensures one misstep won’t erase that. But if you make excuses and avoid accountability, your mistakes become your identity.
5. Learn and Move On
Mistakes happen. What separates strong people from weak ones is how they handle failure. Take the lesson, apply it, and keep moving forward. Sharpe won’t let this moment define him, and neither should you when you face adversity.
6. Control What You Can, Let Go of What You Can’t
This is the hardest but most freeing lesson. You can control your actions, your discipline, and your decisions. But you can’t control how people react, how long they talk about it, or what the internet decides to do. Let that part go and focus on the things within your power.
7. Every Moment Is a Chance to Rewrite Your Story
If you handle setbacks the right way, they can actually work in your favor. Sharpe turned a negative into a leadership moment—a real-world example of his own grandfather’s advice: “You can control your actions. You can’t control the consequences.” Every action you take after a mistake shapes your future. Make it count.
My Final Thoughts
Sharpe’s viral moment is just another example of how one bad decision isn’t the end—it’s a test. Controlling your actions will move you forward, but only if you stay discipline. If you’re ever caught in a situation where you feel the world is against you, remember this: Control what you can. Own your actions. Move forward with intention. That’s how you win, period.
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Accountability is central to the TOP CTRL brand. Want to understand it better? Check out this blog on 5 Lessons from the Cena and Rock Rivalry, where John Cena faces his mistakes head-on.
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