Warwick Life Strategies

Hello! Thanks for reading the WLS blog! It's my pleasure to welcome back PJ Sangalang, the author of last week's post, to continue with the topic of motivation...read on!

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In my previous blog, I briefly introduced the psychological construct locus of control and tied it with motivation, asking you to reflect where your motivation to work comes from--is it internal, with your motivation coming from within yourself or is external, with outside factors influencing motivation to be at work?

I want to talk about locus of control in another traditional, perhaps more microcosmic sense, when talking about it with regards to your every day work, and life. I want to talk about locus of control in the more original sense as outlined by Julian Rotter in 1966 along with the concept of illusion of control, that being the belief that one's actions and thoughts can affect events even though there is no rational reason for it to be the case.

Perhaps the most vivid and prominent showcase for this illusion of control include studies in the world of addictions, from gambling to even internet use. Drug and alcohol addicts for instance, can believe that nothing they do (ie. internally) can affect the situation they find themselves in; as such, it can be perceived that external circumstances are actually controlling their situation, fueling belief that there is nothing they can do about their situation. Conversely, a gambler can believe that something they do, be it blowing on the dice or lightly tapping the slot machine, can bring on 'good luck', with success being a result of these actions. Athletes are no stranger to this version as well, with some believing that performing pre-game rituals will positively affect their own performance during the game.

Even outside of these extreme cases, we're not immune to this illusion of control. How many of us, in a rush, press the button at the stop light repeatedly, with the belief that doing so multiple times will change the lights, allowing you to cross the street? Or for those of you who were blessed to do so in the 80s, playing Super Mario Bros. and moving your arms and controller in an arc as the character jumps on screen?

Although the last couple of examples were fun, and hopefully relatable, the illusion of control is something that can apply to other aspects of life. With the last few blogs talking about working overtime and the W-word (workaholism) and tying it to motivation, I want to tie it all together by asking: might it also be the case that we do this all time believing we can't do anything about all this work piling up? That we're only motivated by the belief that we're the only ones who have to stay at work and do it all, without help from anyone else? Believing that if we don't do the work, 7 days a week, 18 hours a day, nothing can get done?

Believing that we have no control over our personal and professional situations can be disheartening, isn't it?

Not even giving ourselves the chance to stop and smell the roses?

To rest, recharge and reflect?

I hope this and the previous blog has given you a chance to think about the source of your motivation, locus of control and illusion of control. It's not to say you shouldn't work hard at your job--but work just as hard with other parts of your life as well, including finding the time to relax with your family and loved ones for a healthy and balanced well-being.