Motivation is the fuel that drives us to pursue our goals and dreams. But sometimes, we may find ourselves losing motivation or feeling discouraged by the challenges we face. How can we keep ourselves motivated and focused on our desired outcomes?
One of the key factors that influence our motivation is our locus of control. This is the degree to which we believe we have control over our lives and the events that happen to us. According to a theory proposed by Dr. Julian B. Rotter, the psychologist who developed the locus of control concept, there are two types of locus of control: internal and external
Internal vs External Locus of Control
People with an internal locus of control believe that their actions and decisions are primarily responsible for their successes and failures. They tend to attribute their outcomes to factors within their control, such as their skills, efforts, strategies, or choices. They also tend to take responsibility for their actions and learn from their mistakes.
People with an external locus of control believe that factors outside of their control are responsible for their successes and failures. They tend to attribute their outcomes to factors beyond their control, such as luck, fate, chance, or the actions of others. They also tend to blame others or circumstances for their problems and avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
The Locus Rule
The locus rule states that the more internal your locus of control is, the more motivated you will be. This is because when you have an internal locus of control, you believe that your efforts matter and that you can influence your outcomes. You also feel more confident, optimistic, and resilient in the face of challenges.
On the other hand, when you have an external locus of control, you believe that your efforts are futile and that you have little or no influence over your outcomes. You also feel more helpless, pessimistic, and hopeless in the face of challenges.
How To Develop An Internal Locus Of Control
The good news is that your locus of control is not fixed and can be changed over time. You can develop an internal locus of control by adopting some of the following strategies:
- Praise yourself for your efforts, not your abilities. A study conducted by Professor Claudia M. Mueller of Columbia University showed that praising students for their hard work increased their motivation and performance while praising them for their intelligence decreased their motivation and performance³². This is because praising effort fosters an internal locus of control while praising ability fosters an external locus of control.
- Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t. Instead of worrying about things that are beyond your control, such as the economy, the weather, or other people’s opinions, focus on what you can do to improve your situation, such as your actions, your attitude, or your goals. This will help you feel more empowered and proactive.
- Set realistic and specific goals. Having clear and attainable goals will help you measure your progress and celebrate your achievements. It will also help you identify what steps you need to take to reach your goals and what obstacles you need to overcome.
- Seek feedback and learn from it. Feedback is essential for learning and improvement. Seek feedback from others who can offer constructive criticism and advice. Don’t take feedback personally or defensively, but use it as an opportunity to grow and improve.
- Reframe challenges as opportunities. Challenges are inevitable in life, but they are not necessarily negative. Instead of seeing challenges as threats or failures, see them as opportunities to learn new skills, test your abilities, or discover new possibilities.
Conclusion
The locus rule is a powerful principle that can help you boost your motivation and achieve your goals. By developing an internal locus of control, you will be able to take charge of your life and shape your destiny.
