"Locus of control is kind of funny. It’s either all on you or everyone is on you.”
"The locus of control is a framework for understanding people’s perception of the controlling factors in their lives. Locus of control is the degree to which people believe that they, as opposed to external forces (beyond their control), have control over the outcome of events in their lives. The concept was developed by Julian Rotter in 1954, and has since become an aspect of personality studies. A person's locus is conceptualized as internal (a belief that one can control one's own life) or external (a belief that life is controlled by outside factors which the person cannot influence, or that chance or fate controls their lives)."
There are certain people who believe that the situations in our life are under our control and we are the masters of our own fate, these individuals are known to have Internal Locus of Control. There are others who believe that outside forces are responsible for whatever good or bad that may happen in their lives, these individuals are known to have External Locus of Control.
When it comes to Internal Locus of Control, an individual’s emotional reactions are caused by one’s internal processes. When it comes to External Locus of Control, one’s emotional reactions are reliant upon the events going on around the individual as compared to what is going on with the individual internally.
Locus of Control is believed to be an inborn personality component, but evidence suggests that it could be moulded by childhood experiences. Children who were brought up by parents motivated them to understand and learn the relationship between their actions and the consequences that come with it were viewed as having an Internal Locus of Control.
Locus of Control is a continuum, no one has an absolute Internal or External Locus of Control. Most people would fit into the middle of the continuum wherein there would be times where they would be displaying the characteristics of Internal Locus of Control and at other times, they would tend to display characteristics of External Locus of Control.
BUILDING AN INTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL:
Pay attention to what you can control.
Turn criticism into growth.
It’s your responsibility how you choose to perceive and interpret situations.
Cultivate Rational Thinking within yourself.
Remind yourself that no one but you are responsible for how you feel.
Remember, events to do not have a reflection on your feelings, but your thoughts do.
It’s more important what you think about yourself, not others.
Practice Resilience.
Seek support.
Seek a Mental Health professional’s help.
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them” – Maya Angelou.