3 Concrete Ways To Be More Successful, According To Psychology
While the definition of success will vary for everyone based on personal goals and values, there are a number of habits, traits, and mindsets that can help you become more successful no matter what your individual pursuits may be. Here are three ways to be more successful, according to psychology.
1. Understand your “locus of control.”
In psychology, one’s “locus of control” refers to how much control they believe they have over what happens in their life. Understanding the locus of control is important as it plays a major role in how we respond to what happens in our lives as well as our motivation to take action when needed.
There is believed to be an “internal locus of control” and an “external locus of control.” (Do note, the locus of control exists on a continuum, meaning that people will usually have a combination of both of these types.)
Someone with an internal locus of control believes they are in control and takes accountability for their own life. On the other hand, someone with an external locus of control blames external events and forces for whatever predicament they find themselves facing.
According to Verywell Mind, experts have found that those who have a more dominant internal locus of control have more successful outcomes than those who primarily operate on an external locus of control. That said, there are scenarios where an external locus of control is beneficial, such as when an event is truly out of your hands.
Understanding your locus control and how it colors your perception is helpful in increasing your chances of success because it can help you determine when you are actually absolved of needing to try harder or when you actually have the power to change, grow, and prevail.
2. Practice self-compassion.
Self-compassion is vital for success. In fact, the science director at Stanford’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research Education Emma Seppala has stated that self-compassion is a trait successful people have. Simply put, self-compassion is giving yourself permission to be human. It means you’re not only allowed to make mistakes, but to learn and grow from them as well. On that note…
3. Develop a “growth mindset.”
Psychologist Carol Dweck has spent decades researching her theory that there are two types of mindsets: a growth mindset and a fixed mindset.
A growth mindset is one that believes talent can be developed and improve over time with hard work, dedication, and practice. Meanwhile, a fixed mindset is one that operates on the assumption that talent is static; either you are good at something or you are not.
Dweck’s research has found that those with a growth mindset tend to achieve more than their fixed mindset counterparts. The reason for this is most likely due to the fact that people who have a growth mindset put more effort into learning as opposed needing to “look smart.“
If you want to be more successful, develop a growth mindset. Remind yourself that everyone is a beginner at some point, mistakes are chances to learn, and the work you put in matters.