Having an Internal Locus of Control

I chose this topic for today, because lately I’ve been thinking a lot about outcomes…I will explain.  Most often than not, when I’m working on a project, I’m usually feeling pretty optimistic at the start. Somewhere in the middle of the project when the pressure brews like a steaming pot of coffee, I begin to find excuses for myself and slowly reduce my targets.  I usually blame it on a wide variety of things and the intent is to make me feel good. If you're like me, then you know this behavior has to be curbed. In the words of my High School basketball coach " Don't Cheat Yourself !"

I’ve been researching on the best ways to approach projects and pretty much everything in life. For the record, I will like to state that I'm not done researching; however, I have come across some notable things that I will like to share. What I came across in my research is that there are two types of people in life. There are the ones that have an internal locus of control and others who have an external locus of control. This blog entry will focus on the former.

The group with an external locus of control are the ones who believe that their environment plays a huge part in the outcome of events. These people usually blame exterior factors for why things happen when they do. They tend to blame the weather, the food, the ambience and I’m sure you get where I am taking this.

 Their reaction to adversity is usually to resort to blame and defence. Such people usually tend to give up quickly on difficult situations. An example will simply be, if an individual with an external locus of control took an exam and did not meet his or her target, they will resort to blaming the teacher and the examiners for their failures. Some might goes as far as blaming the weather.

However, what I want to address today is working on having an internal locus of control. Having an internal locus of control is simply taking charge of your affairs. You don’t blame the environment for your failures or find excuses.

I have noticed that some of the most successful people at what they do in life, have an internal locus of control. From Warren Buffet, Michael Jordan, Nelson Mandela to Mother Theresa. These people believed that they controlled their situation by focusing their energies on the things they could do and didn’t worry about the things they had no control over.  They always put their 100% effort into things they did. This group of people usually had a positive mental attitude towards life in general.

Research has shown that having an internal locus of control makes you happier, less depressed, and less stressed. So come on what are you waiting for? Always remember that you have a choice in your approach to life. It starts with your attitude and the rest will fall in line. So it doesn’t matter if it is a life goal, a relationship, health goals or financial goals, your attitude from the onset will determine your final outcome. Be positive and work hard on putting your all into achieving your goals.

I know there are some people reading this and thinking to themselves that “I once put my 110% into achieving a goal and I was unsuccessful”. To those folks, I want to point out that this is step #2 of having an internal locus of control. You need to stop looking at failed attempts as simply failures. What you ought to do is have an assessment of what you did, revise your notes and try again. Thomas Edison is the poster boy for Step #2. He invented the light bulb after a couple iterations and that is a gross understatement.He once said "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”His relentless atitude towards succeeding is worthy of emulation and a by-product of having an internal locus of control.

Having an internal locus of control isn’t something you can simply call up. It takes time to master the art. In the beginning it will be difficult but you have to bring your mind back to the fact that you are in control of your affairs and that includes  how you prepare and execute your task. The rest are intangibles and you have no control over them.

I hope that after reading this you will decide to practice having an internal locus of control. Don't be afraid to take the first steps, even if you fail in the beginning, remember to continue working and eventually it will become a habit.

Till my next entry, Peace and Much Love to you!