Who's Really in Charge? Understanding Locus of Control and Why It Matters

The Open Mind Institute
Jul 11
3 min read

Have you ever noticed how some people seem to take setbacks in stride — learning from them and moving forward — while others feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like things are out of their hands? A big part of what drives these different responses comes down to something called Locus of Control, a concept introduced by psychologist Julian Rotter in 1954. It’s a simple but powerful idea that helps explain how our mindset can shape the way we handle life’s ups and downs.

In simple terms, Locus of Control is all about how we explain the events in our lives. Do you believe your actions shape your future? Or do you think your life is mostly influenced by luck, fate, or other people? Your answer may say a lot about your mindset, resilience, and even your success.

What Is Locus of Control?

Locus (Latin for “place”) refers to the perceived source of control in a person’s life:

Internal Locus of Control: You believe that your outcomes are largely the result of your own choices, actions, and efforts.
External Locus of Control: You feel that external forces — like fate, luck, the economy, or other people — dictate what happens to you.

Most of us fall somewhere on a spectrum between the two. But where we sit on that spectrum can shape the way we respond to challenges, set goals, and manage stress.

Why It Matters: Mindset, Resilience, and Accountability

Your locus of control has a profound impact on how you navigate life. Here’s how:

✅ Internal Locus = Empowerment

People with a strong internal locus tend to:

Take initiative and responsibility.
Feel more confident in their ability to influence outcomes.
Learn from mistakes instead of blaming others.
Show greater motivation and persistence.

They're also more likely to develop resilience — the ability to bounce back after failure — because they believe they can adjust their actions and try again.

❌ External Locus = Helplessness

People with a strong external locus often:

Blame circumstances or other people for setbacks.
Feel stuck or defeated when things don’t go their way.
Avoid taking ownership of change.
Experience higher stress and anxiety, especially when faced with uncertainty.

While it’s true that external factors do play a role, consistently placing the source of control outside yourself can lead to learned helplessness and a victim mindset.

Can You Shift Your Locus of Control?

Absolutely. While early experiences and personality may shape some of it, locus of control isn’t fixed. Like a muscle, it can be trained with self-awareness and intentional practice.

Try this:

Ask empowering questions: Instead of “Why is this happening to me?”, try “What can I do about it?”
Focus on your circle of influence: Don’t waste energy on things you can’t control — direct your attention to what you can change.
Track your decisions: Reflect on how your actions contributed to outcomes, both positive and negative.
Celebrate effort, not just results: Recognising your input reinforces an internal locus.

The Bottom Line

Your belief about control shapes your behaviour, and your behaviour shapes your outcomes.

By developing a stronger internal locus of control, you build the foundation for greater resilience, responsibility, and long-term success. It’s not about ignoring real-world challenges — it’s about choosing to show up with ownership, even when things feel hard.

Because when you believe you’re the one steering the ship, you’re far more likely to reach the destination you want.

As usual, if you need a little help, we're one call away.