Life Control: The Key to a Can-Do Attitude
When life throws challenges your way, you have the power to respond. It all comes down to how you choose to face those obstacles. As Viktor Frankl wisely said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” This powerful statement reminds us that, while we can’t control everything around us, we do have control over our mindset and how we react.
The ability to take control of your life isn’t just a feel-good philosophy; it’s backed by research. According to the work of Clough and Strycharczyk, creators of the mental toughness model, individuals who possess mental toughness tend to approach stress, pressure, and challenges with resilience and positivity. Central to this concept is Control – one of the four key constructs of mental toughness. Control is the belief that you can handle whatever comes your way, even in the face of adversity.
Research consistently shows that people with high levels of control over their lives report better mental health, greater workplace satisfaction, and higher productivity. In fact, a 2020 study by the American Psychological Association found that individuals who felt they had control over their work environment experienced lower stress levels and were more engaged in their roles.
But how can you develop this crucial trait? Let’s dive deeper into what Control really means and how you can cultivate it in your daily life. In the following sections, we’ll explore a proven, practical exercise that’s guaranteed to help you boost your ability to navigate challenges with confidence and skill.
A Practical Skill to Build Greater Life Control: Mastering Your Locus of Control
When you’re facing stress, uncertainty, or a challenge that feels out of your hands, one of the most empowering things you can do is pause and consider: What do I actually have control over here?
This is where the psychological concept of locus of control becomes incredibly valuable.
What is Locus of Control?
Your locus of control is a belief system that influences how you interpret events in your life – especially difficult ones. It reflects whether you see outcomes as being driven primarily by your own actions (internal locus) or by external forces like luck, fate, or other people (external locus).
To put it simply:
Those with a strong internal locus of control believe their choices and efforts directly influence their success.
Those with an external locus of control often feel powerless, attributing outcomes to outside circumstances beyond their influence.
As Viktor Frankl said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” That shift in perspective is powerful.
And the science backs it up. Studies show that people with an internal locus of control tend to experience:
Higher levels of job satisfaction
Greater resilience in the face of stress
Improved mental and physical wellbeing
Stronger problem-solving and decision-making skills
A 2022 study published in Personality and Individual Differences even found that individuals with an internal locus of control had significantly lower levels of perceived stress and anxiety during times of crisis.
Try This: What’s in Your Control Right Now?
The first step to building greater life control is to separate what’s within your influence from what’s not. Here’s a simple, practical exercise you can do today:
Draw two circles on a piece of paper — one inside the other.
In the inner circle, write down the things you can control (your actions, attitude, responses, routines).
In the outer circle, write the things you can’t control (others’ opinions, external events, outcomes).
Focus your time and energy on the inner circle. That’s where growth happens.
Letting go of what you can’t control doesn’t mean giving up – it means giving yourself permission to focus where your efforts actually count. And doing so consistently reduces anxiety, boosts confidence, and reaffirms your ability to shape your life.
Bringing It All Together
Building greater life control starts with a mindset shift. By understanding and strengthening your locus of control, you create the space to respond rather than react – to choose thoughtful action over helplessness. It’s not about having control over everything, but rather about focusing your energy on what truly matters and where you can make an impact. This is where real personal power – and professional resilience and mastery – begins to grow.
Ready to Strengthen Your Mental Toughness?
If you’re ready to take your next step in building resilience and performance under pressure, we invite you to explore more on this topic:
The 4Cs of Mental Toughness – Learn how Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence shape your ability to thrive.
6 Interventions That Improve Mental Toughness – Discover practical, evidence-based strategies that professionals use to boost their mental strength.
At Get Mentally Fit, we provide evidence-based tools to help individuals and teams develop mental toughness. For an individual, a great place to start is to check out our Mental Fitness Check or Leader Support services, which are facilitated by our Principal Psychologist Emily Johnson.
Take the next step today.
📩 Get in Touch to discuss how we can help you or your team strengthen mental toughness.
📖 Learn more about our Mental Fitness Check or Leader Support services.
🚀 Explore our Workplace Training Solutions and start building a high-performance, mentally resilient culture.
Your future self will thank you for the work you put in today.
