Test Result
External Locus of Control
“You view yourself as part of a larger whole, often feeling that life is guided by fate, luck, or powerful forces outside yourself.”
Your overall pattern
You possess an External Locus of Control. You tend to view life as something that happens to you rather than something you make happen. You likely perceive the world as a complex web of forces—fate, luck, social systems, and powerful authorities—that are far larger than any one individual.
While society often praises the "go-getter," your perspective has its own validity. You are likely very attuned to the reality of systemic barriers and the role of chance. You don't delude yourself into thinking you can control the weather. However, this worldview can sometimes leave you feeling like a passenger in your own car, watching the scenery fly by without a hand on the wheel. You might frequently feel that "what will be, will be."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." — John Lennon
Typical behaviors
- Attributing to Luck: When you succeed, you might say, "I got lucky" or "The boss was in a good mood," downplaying your own skill.
- Feeling "Done To": In difficult times, you might feel targeted by the universe or victimized by a system, feeling there is little point in fighting back.
- Reliance on Others: You may look to experts, horoscopes, or leaders to tell you what to do or what the future holds.
Strengths in this pattern
- Letting Go: You are often better at accepting unavoidable suffering or loss than "Internal" types, who torture themselves trying to fix the unfixable.
- Empathy for Systemic Issues: You understand that not everyone starts on a level playing field. You are less likely to judge people for their misfortunes.
- Ease / Flow: You can be more relaxed and easy-going, willing to "go with the flow" rather than constantly swimming upstream.
Common pitfalls
Even a flowing pattern can have friction points:
- Learned Helplessness: The biggest risk is believing you are powerless when you are not. This can lead to passivity, depression, or staying in bad situations longer than necessary.
- Lack of Initiative: You might wait for a "sign" or a "break" that never comes, missing opportunities that required just a little push.
- Anxiety: Paradoxically, believing everything is random can be scary. It can make the world feel chaotic and unsafe.
"Reflection point: Just because you can't control the wind, doesn't mean you can't adjust your sails."
What you can do next
Small actions you can start today
- The 'Choice' Journal: Write down three choices you made today, no matter how small (e.g., what you ate, what you wore). Remind yourself that you decided these things.
- Change your language: Catch yourself saying "I had no choice" and rephrase it to "I chose this option because the alternatives were worse." This reclaims your agency.
Longer-term directions
- Build 'Self-Efficacy': Set very small, achievable goals (like a 5-minute walk) and do them. Prove to your brain that your action leads to a result.
- Challenge the 'Powerful Others': Question the idea that others hold all the cards. In many situations, you have more veto power than you think.
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This test describes patterns of thinking and is for educational self-exploration only. It is not a clinical diagnosis. High levels of External Locus of Control are sometimes associated with anxiety or depression. If you feel consistently hopeless, powerless, or "stuck," speaking with a mental health professional can be incredibly empowering.