Empowerment
The key to empowerment breaks down into three parts:
Become aware of your choices and accept them;
Systematically evaluate your choices;
Embrace failure.
Let’s dive in!
To what extent can we influence the course of our lives?
Numerous psychological theories have sought to address this very question, with one of them being the concept of "locus of control". The concept of locus of control was introduced by psychologist Julian Rotter in 1954. Rotter's interest in social learning led him to explore why certain behaviors persist, while others fade away.
While originally part of Rotter's social learning theory, the idea of locus of control has also found extensive applications as a standalone theory in fields such as education, health, and clinical psychology. It has been instrumental in driving research on topics like motivation, learning, depression, and addiction.
The concept of locus of control is relatively straightforward. It deals with how we perceive the relationship between our actions and the outcomes in our lives. According to this theory we attribute the consequences of our actions to either an external or internal source.
If we have an external locus of control we tend to attribute outcomes to things like fate, luck, or external factors beyond our control. On the other hand, an internal locus of control leads us to believe that our own actions determine the outcomes. This maybe the placement of this locus of control can influence the reinforcement or punishment of our actions. With an internal locus of control, positive outcomes reinforce our behavior, leading us to continue that behavior. Conversely, with an external locus of control we may discontinue a behavior if the outcome seems beyond our influence.
Something to note here: Rotter cautioned against viewing this as a rigid dichotomy. It is better understood as a continuum between external and internal, where most mental healthy adults have a balanced mix of both perspectives.
And interestingly, individuals who incorporate a blend of internal and external loci in their reasoning tend to report higher levels of happiness.
Let’s look at an example of how our locus of control can shape our perspective on outcomes and influence our behaviors. Let's create a couple of imaginary friends, Ian the Internalizer and Evan the Externalizer. Let's plop them into three different environments: work, school, and health.
In general, emotional stability and conscientiousness exhibit strong positive correlations with an internal locus of control. Individuals who believe their actions directly contribute to the outcomes of situations are naturally inclined to work diligently, particularly when they have the desire to do so.
 |
| Image generated by jasper.ai |
Conversely, those with an external locus of control have been found to experience higher levels of stress and even depression. It is logical to assume that feelings at the mercy of external forces, where we feel a lack of power over our life, could lead to anxiety and a sense of learned helplessness.
The concept of learned helplessness and its connection to an external locus of control was introduced by Martin Seligman in 1975. He advanced the hypothesis that individuals with depression have a state of mind that reflects a type of helplessness, meaning that they don’t believe that their actions will have any positive effect on the outcomes of their lives.
This type of thinking may reflect an external locus of control because they have little faith in themselves. Clearly it is better for us as individuals to have a greater internal locus of control than external.
So, how do we increase our internal locus of control?
1.) Become aware of your choices and accept them
In every situation, no matter how challenging or limiting it may seem, there is a range of options available to us, and these options vary in effectiveness or desirability.
The point is that we are not confined to a single course of action. Recognizing this abundance of choices opens up new possibilities and potential pathways for improvement.
Even deciding not to take action is, in itself, a choice. Sometimes inaction is a conscious decision based on the assessment of available options, and understanding that even doing nothing is a choice helps us take responsibility for our actions and inactions.
 |
| Image generated by jasper.ai |
Realizing that choices always exist empowers us because it shifts our perspective from feeling helpless to recognizing our capacity to influence our circumstances. And it’s this awareness that enables us to move away from a victim hood mentality and embrace a more proactive and empowered outlook. I did so can you!
While some choices may be less than ideal or downright undesirable, acknowledging their existence helps us come to terms with the imperfect nature of decision-making. It allows us to accept that not every option will lead to a perfect outcome, but that doesn't diminish the significance of having the freedom to choose. Understanding that we have choices, even in challenging situations, encourages us to explore alternative ways of thinking about and approaching our circumstances.
We may not have control over external events, but we can control how we respond to them. Adjusting our attitude can be a powerful tool for coping with adversity and finding inner strength.
2.) Systematically evaluate your choices
When faced with a challenging situation or decision to make, we often feel overwhelmed and limited in our choices.
Taking the time to sit down and create a list of all possible courses of action can be incredibly beneficial because this exercise expands the range of possibilities and helps us to see that we are not as confined as we initially perceived.
Listing all potential courses of action serves as a reminder of the various options available, even when some options may seem unfeasible or less desirable. The process of seeing these choices written down on paper (journal) can be eye-opening and provide a sense of relief in knowing that there are indeed alternatives to explore.
In many situations there are elements beyond our control that impact the outcome. By listing all possible courses of action we can identify which aspects of the situation we have control over and which are beyond our influence.
This differentiation allows us to focus our efforts on the aspects we can impact, which leads to a more proactive and effective approach. Having a comprehensive list of options empowers us to make informed decision.
It also eliminates the feeling of being limited or trapped, as we can now make choices based on a broader understanding of the available possibilities. Systematically evaluating the listed courses of action helps us gauge the potential impact of each choice on the overall outcome.
It’s this process that provides insights into the extent to which our decisions and actions can affect the situation. It encourages a sense of agency and responsibility. As we assess our choices and recognize the control we have over certain aspects, our confidence grows. For example, students preparing for an exam may realize that they cannot control the specific questions asked, but they can control their study strategies and preparation. This understanding boosts their confidence in their ability to tackle any subject-related questions effectively.
Feeling trapped or powerless in a situation can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Creating a list of options and evaluating them systematically allows us to gain clarity and perspective, and in turn reduces stress by promoting a more rational and proactive mindset. That’s the joy of writing in a journal.
Ultimately, the process of creating a list of potential courses of action and systematically evaluating them encourages us to take ownership of our decisions. We become active participants in shaping our lives, rather than passively accepting circumstances.
3.) Embrace failure
Failure is a natural part of life, especially when we challenge ourselves to achieve something difficult or unfamiliar.
Rather than viewing failure as a negative outcome, individuals with an internal locus of control see it as an opportunity for growth and learning. I know I did! After being a victim for someone else’s actions I made this effort to learn and grow from it. They recognize that mistakes and setbacks provide valuable lessons that can lead to future improvements and successes.
To increase our internal locus of control, deliberately participating in activities that may lead to failure can be a transformative experience. By willingly stepping into these challenging situations we confront our fear of failure and develop a growth-oriented mindset.
After encountering failure, the next crucial step is to analyze the controllable factors that contributed to the outcome. This involves honest self-reflection and an examination of our actions, decisions, and strategies.
 |
| Image generated by jasper.ai Once we understand this, we’re armed with insights from our analysis. We can then set new goals and implement changes based on what we learned from the failure. This action-oriented approach reinforces the belief that we have the power to influence future outcomes through our choices and actions. Strengthening our internal locus of control requires persistence and a willingness to iterate. By continuously engaging in challenging activities, learning from both successes and failures, and making necessary adjustments, we develop a sense of mastery and self-efficacy. Viewing failure as a stepping stone to success shifts the mindset from a fear of failure to an embrace of growth opportunities. This positive mindset fosters self-assurance and a sense of control over our journey to success. When we attribute life outcomes to external forces beyond our control we experience a sense of helplessness and inability to effect change. However, the reality of our level of control often hinges on our perception of it. Between the actual and perceived control lies the choice to believe in ourselves and our capacity to shape our destiny. Believing in our ability to control our lives increases the likelihood of taking risks and fosters a sense of confidence in our autonomy. By making subtle shifts in our mindset we can begin to feel more empowered and in-command of our future. ConclusionThere you have it — the key to empowerment. I hope the examples and definitions in this guide act as the key that unlocks your potential, fuels your resilience, and propels you toward a future defined by boundless achievement and unyielding self-belief. I’d love to hear from you:
Have a wonderful week, all. |
Comments
Post a Comment