Internal vs External Locus of Control (Thoughts)

[Alphaboy]

First some definitions for anyone who may be unfamiliar:

Internal Locus of Control - Individual believes that his/her behavior is guided by his/her personal decisions and efforts.

External Locus of Control - Individual believes that his/her behavior is guided by fate, luck, or other external circumstances.

I think we all know someone who blames everything but themselves for their circumstances. Anything that happens to them is because of bad luck, or someone, or something that screwed them over and is responsible for their circumstances.

I've been around individuals who think everything that goes wrong is fate, or a genetic disposition to things such as being late... can you imagine that? You're late due to genetics. It sort of propelled may away from the External Locus of Control (ELOC).

Personally, I decide to lean toward an INTERNAL locus of control. For one, it makes me feel a sense of POWER.

If I don't have a supercar and a beach-side mansion it's because of ME! Conversely, if I do want one, the only thing stopping me is also me!

I'm not gonna be a purist and pretend stuff doesn't exist. Luck, poor timing, red tape, all manners of "isms," systematic imbalances, genetic disadvantages, etc.

Luck by definition is something by definition that you either have or you don't. Also, you cannot control it or choose when/where it comes. This is why I like a few quotes, one by Bruce Lee:

"I don't believe in pure luck. You have to create your own luck. You have to be aware of the opportunities around you and take advantage of them." - Bruce Lee

the other by Cal from the movie Titanic:

"A real man makes his own luck, Archie." - Caledon Hockley

I look at it like this... A popular saying goes: You can't keep a good man down!

Regardless of all of the crap that can get in your way, you'll eventually end up where you should end up.

For example: A comedian walks into an open mic night and bombs. He can blame the crowd who were there to heckle. He could blame the venue for being less-than-ideal, he can blame himself having an off day.

The comedian can bomb a second night at a different venue, but after a while he has to come to grips that perhaps his material isn't great or he isn't funny, it can't be everyone else. A funny comedian will eventually be recognized for how good he is after enough sets.

In any case, I am getting a bit long-winded in this post, but I think external factors can only be a temporary hindrance (of course exceptions exist), but overall if you are meant to shine, nothing is stopping that. If you aren't somewhere that you should be it is because of YOU! Not everyone is working in harmony to suppress you. The devil isn't holding you back from accomplishing things you should be accomplishing.


But then again, I could be wrong... what are your thoughts?

 

[TheTickG]

Internal and external are both very important. But, I try to focus on the one I have more control of ( internal) while making sure I'm aware of external.

 

[dc007]

I believe internal is a far bigger factor but timing and luck absolutely plays a part. Both are important but if you try to rely only on external, you'll probably accomplish nothing in life.

 

[Contempt]

I lean massively towards internal.

People who blame everything that goes wrong in their lives on everyone but themselves are just losers, simple as that.

Bad luck sometimes happens but come on, no-one is that unlucky. If your life is shit, time to go look in a mirror.

 

[THEfightsAREfixed]

As I grow older I lean more towards external but I am still heavily in favor of internal.

 

[Aegon Spengler]

You play the cards you’re dealt. Some complain, some don’t

 

[BlankaPresident]

I think this sounds a lot like coach talk.

 

[Alphaboy]

As I grow older I lean more towards external but I am still heavily in favor of internal.

Why do you heavily favor internal?

I think this sounds a lot like coach talk.

Haha, I wasn't trying to, just analyzing 2 different perspectives. I meant to have a logical appeal rather than an emotional one - which I think coach-talk, motivational talk mainly consist of.

 

[BlankaPresident]

Haha, I wasn't trying to, just analyzing 2 different perspectives. I meant to have a logical appeal rather than an emotional one - which I think coach-talk, motivational talk mainly consist of.

I get that, it just seems to me that this loci thing is just a way to overcomplicate the thing we know as the Serenity Prayer, (probably mis)attributed to St. Francis of Assis.

"Lord, grant me the strength to change the things I can, the serenity to deal with the things I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference.“

I'm probably the least religious guy around here but I like it a lot.



Also, it's funny to see that most people claim to focus on the "internal locus" as it's the responsible thing to do, but in real life it's much different because admitting your failures is fucking hard.

 

[Two Crows]

I believe it depends on your perspective of the "external".

If I'm honest, from everything I've seen, External dominates. There are exceptions, but they ARE exceptions. We like to believe our efforts ultimately determine our outcomes because the notion of control in turn provides a sense of security and agency.

The truth is this; for the vast majority of the planet, no amount of work or effort was ever going to result in them beating out Shaq for a starting center position.

Why does this matter? Because it's a competition between another very real person who's External factors virtually guaranteed victory.
The job you hold is a result of a competition. The house you own. Your spouse. All competitions.

Internal factors are important to maximize your own potential, but External forces carry significantly more inherent weight.

 

[SalvadorAllende]

Internal for sure.

Of course external factors condition our possibilities but there are no reason to worry about unless is to be honest about our limitations. For example.. I would never pursue a career in basketball since I'm a little over 5ft8

Also luck plays a role in everything but it's not something you can control.

But there is so much we can actually accomplish by ourselves. Problem is that people tend to reduce accomplishment to having a lamborghini and a mansion and there is so much more than that in life.