Do you have an internal or an external locus of control?

Many of the most successful among us have an internal locus of control.

Many of the most lazy have an external locus of control.

Of course, to say that is to grossly oversimplify the reality.

While an internal locus of control does often produce better long-term outcomes, and lead to more intentional results, there are times when you'll benefit much more from having an external locus of control.

Say you're a great athlete. You've played soccer your whole life, baseball, you're the baddest even at badminton. This is part of your identity.

So your buddy asks you to join his rec league basketball team. You think, sure, I'm great at sports, that'd be fun.

In the beginning you suck at it.

Here's where an internal locus of control would steer you wrong: "Why isn't this working? I'm great at sports. Are they laughing at me? I'm better than this. Do better, dammit!" Clearly, commanding yourself to instantly be better at a brand new skill won't get you there. But it will get you frustrated, upset and overly critical of yourself.

How might an external locus of control help in this scenario? "Hah! What a strange sport this is. It's kind of similar to soccer, sure, but the way you're supposed to use your hands? That's nuts! How long must they have practiced to do something like that? I'm realizing I'm definitely not wearing the right shoes for this game. Fine cardio, though."

These examples might be a little cheesy, but in service of driving home the point: keep an internal locus of control in your daily events, and when you step out of your comfort zone (which I hope you do often enough), try on that external hat and see if the experience doesn't go more smoothly for you.