Values clarification — identifying what matters most to you at the deepest level — is a cornerstone of ACT therapy for locus of control and provides direction when locus of control removes other navigational tools.
Why Values Matter for Locus of Control
Locus of Control often disconnects us from our values through avoidance, withdrawal, and reduced capacity. Reconnecting with values provides:
- Direction when locus of control has eliminated other motivation
- Meaning that persists even through difficult locus of control periods
- A basis for action independent of how locus of control makes you feel
Clarifying Your Values with Locus of Control
Ask yourself: 'If my locus of control were less present, what would I be doing more of? What kind of person would I be?'
Values are not goals (achievable and done) but ongoing directions: being a present parent, creating beauty, contributing to others.
Values-Based Action in Locus of Control
ACT therapy teaches: act according to values even when locus of control is present. Small values-aligned actions, despite locus of control, are more sustainable than waiting for locus of control to lift first.