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With health and wellness being such big business these days, it is important to understand what autonomy is, and how you are able to effectively help yourself. People seek therapy every day when they feel they have lost control of their lives, or to find out how to get control when they did not realize it was possible.

It is natural to want to thrive and be all that we can be, but some people do not take advantage of their ability to do so. One who is autonomous strives to do their best at anything they pursue, believing they can succeed, and then doing so. These people have faith in themselves and know that they can accomplish whatever they work hard at. Autonomous people know that they have choices, and pursue their interests with a higher level of optimism than those who feel their life choices are limited. I think that autonomy is a result of both genetics and environment, and these people just know they will achieve their goals before they even begin.

Entity theorist believe that the choices we have in life are limited by circumstances, environment or luck. They do not agree with the notion that change is possible, or that one has the power to make such changes. An entity theorist believes that we are as we are seen to be, and that success is possible only according to variables in life which say that it is so. These people would feel that they do not have choices available to them for advancement, and neither do they think that they have any control over their destiny.

On the other hand, incremental theorists are more optimistic. These people make the choice to change things in their lives which they are not satisfied with. They understand that they do have option to improve their current situations, and that they can choose to be in control of whatever they wish to accomplish. Because an incremental theorist understands that they have choices, they would not feel the need to make bad choices when better choices are available to them. Someone who views their choices as being limited, is more likely to take the path of least resistance, even if it meant doing something illegal or involve some kind of unsavory behavior.

While we all need to feel some sense of freedom, it is also natural to want to belong. We can choose to be in control and make decisions to enhance our lives while also being a part of different communities. We can choose be proactive, or be idle and feel unsatisfied. Possessing an internal locus of control is advantageous. Being in control allows us to remain focused, and we are therefore better equipped for a positive outcome than someone who has an external locus of control. This group of people are more easily distracted and vulnerable to stressors, and associated physical and mental illness. What kind of person are you?

Learn more about this author, Kerry Hosking.
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