Control Your Own Life in the Most Positive Way

Are you an internal or external personality?

People handle things differently. Aside from being born as a unique individual due to our DNA, we are also exposed to diverse environments and experiences which made us the way we are right now. Therefore, it is very usual to see a working place with variety of thoughts and reactions over a common scenario. It’s natural. We can never see someone who thinks and reacts exactly the same way as we do.

Knowing your locus of control will help you handle your own life in the most positive way possible. If you’re more of an external or internal, you can always improve so you’ll be in between, making the best decision for your own life. So here is how you can find out: are you internal or external?

Locus of Control

Locus of control is a very important aspect of one’s personality. It refers to where we believe the control of our lives came from. Consequently, it also defines how our behaviors and attitudes affect the outcomes of our lives. Locus of control can be internal or external.

Internal vs. External

In the example, the person with internal locus of control has the more positive reaction. He or she is able to confront the situation head on. On the other hand, the person with an external locus of control reacts negatively. This can make him/ her be more stressed.
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Where is your locus of control?

Take time to read the statements and answer whether you agree or disagree. (1 = Strongly Agree; 4 = Strongly Disagree)

External:
In the above exercise, your locus of control is external when you strongly agreed with most of the statements. This means that you tend to blame the circumstances for the complexity you encounter. As a result, you often see yourself as a hopeless and powerless victim. However, you can still change and develop yourself as you deal differently with pressurized situations.

Internal:
On the other hand, if you strongly disagreed with most of the statements, your locus of control is internal. This means that you believe that you can do something to influence the outcomes of your life. You have a fairly robust attitude when working under pressure. You act on the problems most of the time to change the stressful situation. However, you may have difficulty in accepting things you have no control of – like heavy traffic.

Conclusion

Knowing your locus of control will help you handle your own life in the most positive way possible. If you’re more of an external or internal, you can always improve so you’ll be in between, making the best decision for your own life.
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