The most valuable problems to solve are usually the hardest.

And because they’re so hard to solve, they force us to embrace risk and uncertainty—something that can make many of us very uncomfortable.

How much of that discomfort we’ll be able to tolerate may depend on our locus of control, “…the degree to which an individual feels a sense of agency in regard to his or her life.”

Someone with an internal locus of control believes that their abilities and actions directly impact their success.

Someone with an external locus of control believes that their life is primarily shaped by other people and outside forces.

It’s easy to feel reasonably in control when you’re only dealing with problems you already know how to solve. But what happens when you have to face a complex, ambiguous challenge you’ve never solved before? When you’re pushed into a corner and have no idea how long it will take to figure out?

For most of my life, I’ve fallen into the “external locus of control” camp. Complex challenges would generally make me feel completely stuck and a bit helpless. So I’d either quit, hold back, or get trapped in analysis paralysis—flipping from one “great” idea to another, but never taking consistent action on any of them.

But here’s what I’ve learned to do instead. When the uncertainty of a complex challenge has me feeling overwhelmed and anxious, I can shift my focus to behaviors that are within my direct control.

Like my ability to:

• Set a clear goal.
• Take action.
• Focus my attention.
• Think creatively.
• Expand my options.
• Make choices.
• Test different ideas.
• Learn from what’s working and not working.

The more I’ve been able to connect with my inherent sense of power and control, the easier it’s been to lean into the discomfort of uncertainty.

You and I may not be able to completely control the outcomes in our lives. But we can do what it takes to maximize our chances of success.

What will you do today to reconnect with your own inherent sense of power?

Will you think about all the productive behaviors you have complete control over, and be honest with yourself about whether you’re doing those things consistently?