Want to control your destiny?
Work on your Locus of Control

Key Messages:

  • Some people blame circumstances and others for the results in their life
  • Others believe they have control over their results
  • You can learn how to change your beliefs about where control lays


Locus of Control (LOC) refers to how much you believe your life is controlled by either:

a) external forces (fate, other people, luck etc) or
b) internal forces (the choices you make and your own efforts)

You may like to take this quick quiz to rate yourself before you read this page.

EXTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL


People who have an external LOC often feel victimized, coerced, unhappy ... almost like life is constantly holding a gun to their head. They don't see much of a link between their actions and behaviours and the results they get.

They are often easily persuaded by the opinion of others, particularly people they feel are 'superior' to them. Generally there is a lot of blame going on in their world - blaming others/circumstances for making their world an unpleasant place. Any success (or failure) they experience they are likely to put down to luck rather than their own efforts. They have a belief that their world is being played out according to someone else's game plan (be it a person or circumstance).

INTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL


Whereas people with an internal LOC feel much more flow in their life - they believe they have a strong control over their destiny. They see a real link between their actions and the likelihood of getting positive results in their life. People with a high LOC generally take responsibility for their actions, are more inclined to hold their own opinion than be swayed by others, are more likely to meet challenges and succeed in achieving their goals. They learn from past experiences and apply their knowledge to future challenges.

Fortunately, LOC is generally considered to be a learned trait rather than an innate personality construct. Your locus of control can be influenced through your life experiences and personal growth, through working with a therapist or a coach, reading and listening to self-improvement material, attending self-awareness workshops.

Go to Articles Directory from Self-Efficacy

How to Build Self-Esteem links Steps of Positive Thinking links Self-talk links
Affirmations and Visualization links Optimism vs Pessimism links Locus of Control Quiz links
Self-Esteem in the Workplace links Sense of Acceptance and Belonging




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Related Links
How to Build Self-Esteem

Steps of Positive Thinking

Affirmations and Visualization

Optimism vs Pessimism

Self-talk

Locus of Control Quiz

Self-Esteem in the Workplace

Sense of Acceptance and Belonging



 






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