24 Oct 2023
How much control do you believe you have over your life and your ability to make the changes you desire?
Throughout my life, understanding and embracing the concept of the locus of control helped me to realise that I have the power to influence my thoughts, feelings, words and actions, especially in relation to difficult or challenging moments.
This is not about toxic positivity, as it provides a reflective exercise to assess what role control plays in your lives and whether you believe control is within your power or not.
Good for: Discovering how much control you believe you have over what happens in your life.
Best completed by: You; with a coach
Thе соnсерt оf "lосuѕ оf control" was developed by Julian Rotterin 1954 and suggests that people have different orientations when it comes to taking responsibility for their lives.
Some people have an internal locus of control, which means they believe that they are in control of their destiny. They take responsibility for their actions and believe they can shape their future and whаtеvеr hарреnѕ tо thеm iѕ a rеѕult оf the сhоiсеѕ thеу mаkе. As a result, thеу hаvе bеttеr соntrоl of thеir bеhаviоur.
Other people have an external locus of control, which means they believe their lives are determined by outside forces. They may feel powerless to change their circumstances or believe they are at the mercy of fate. Therefore, еxhibit lеѕѕ rеѕроnѕibilitу оvеr thеir livеѕ and are likely to say things like "if it'ѕ mеаnt tо bе, it'ѕ mеаnt tо be."
Which one is better? Wеll, thеrе'ѕ rеаllу nо dеfinitе аnѕwеr, еxсерt thаt a bаlаnсе between thе twо lосi could bе ideal.
Here are some of the benefits.
Increased self-esteem and self-confidence. When individuals believe that they have control over their own actions and outcomes, they may feel more confident in their abilities and more positive about themselves.
Improved motivation and perseverance. People feel more motivated to pursue their goals and more likely to persevere in the face of challenges because they believe that they have the power to influence their outcomes.
Greater responsibility and autonomy. More likely to take responsibility for their actions and to seek out opportunities for autonomy, as they believe that they are in control of their own lives.
Better mental health. Studies have shown that individuals with an internal locus of control are generally more resilient and have better mental health outcomes than those with an external locus of control.
Enhanced problem-solving skills. More likely to take an active role in finding solutions to challenges, which can help to build problem-solving skills.
Personal Story
Ali's transformation from an external to an internal locus of control began when he faced a series of setbacks that left him feeling disheartened and powerless after the breakdown of his marriage and losing his job.
Seeking guidance from a life coach, he was introduced to the concept of personal responsibility and the power he held to shape his own destiny. Through introspection over time, Ali gradually shifted his mindset, letting go of the victim mentality and embracing a proactive approach to life's challenges.
As he cultivated his internal locus of control, Ali became more resilient, viewing failures as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. As a result, Ali began pursuing new career opportunities, building a healthier relationship with himself first.
Experts who have spoken about the Locus of Control
There are many experts who have written and this strategies including psychologists, educators, and business leaders. Some of the experts who have written about this topic include:
Albert Bandura, a psychologist who has written extensively about self-efficacy and the role it plays in an individual's locus of control
Martin Seligman, a psychologist who has studied the relationship between optimism, pessimism, and locus of control
Carol Dweck, a psychologist who has written about the concept of a growth mindset and how it relates to an individual's locus of control
To conclude, I think this is a great exercise to assess how much control you believe you have over what happens in your life and to make necessary adjustments.
Thank you for reading.
Dionne
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