Human limitations on space are beyond human control

    Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "Human limitations on space are beyond human control", the main reason why I choose that topic because many people try to control beyond their space control,  This actually drains human energy if we continue to force our own limits to execute a decision where it is beyond control, In psychology and philosophy (particularly Stoicism, which interests you), an understanding of the limits of human control is the foundation of inner peace and effective action. This view is often referred to as the Dichotomy of Control.

Psychologically, understanding these limits does not mean adopting a passive attitude or giving up, but rather about allocating cognitive and emotional energy appropriately to avoid mental exhaustion (burnout).

1. The Limits of Control (Circle of Influence)

In practical terms, human control is divided into two main areas:

 The Area Within Control (Internal):

   Mental Processes: Your thoughts, judgements, and perceptions of an event.

   Will: The decisions you make to act or refrain from acting.

   Values: The life principles, character, and personal integrity you uphold.

   Emotional Response: How you process your emotions after an event occurs.

 Areas Beyond Control (External):

   Outcomes: Project success, others’ appreciation, or financial gain.

   Others’ Actions: People’s opinions, a partner’s behaviour, or company policies.

   The Past and the Future: Events that have already happened or the uncertainty of tomorrow.

   Environmental Conditions: Weather, traffic congestion, or unforeseen disasters.

2. Psychological Perspectives on the Limits of Control

Modern psychology, particularly within the fields of Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), views issues of control through several lenses:

A. Locus of Control (Locus of Control)

Julian Rotter developed the Locus of Control theory to explain how people perceive the source of control in their lives:

Internal Locus of Control: A person believes that success or failure is the result of their own actions. This correlates with higher motivation, but if taken to extremes, it can lead to unnecessary guilt when events occur beyond one’s control.

 External Locus of Control: A person feels their life is controlled by fate, luck, or others. This often triggers a sense of helplessness (learned helplessness).

Ideal perspective: Healthy psychology encourages a moderate Internal Locus of Control, where individuals are aware of their responsibilities yet accept the limitations of external reality.

B. Learned Helplessness (Learned Helplessness)

When someone continually tries to control things beyond their control (such as changing another person’s character or forcing a successful outcome), they experience learned helplessness. A person stops trying because they feel their efforts yield no results. Understanding the limits of control is the primary way to break this cycle.

C. Cognitive Reframing (Reframing)

In psychotherapy, this technique is used to shift the patient’s focus. For example, rather than trying to control whether someone likes us (external), we shift the focus to how we act with courtesy and integrity (internal). Control shifts from the goal to the process.

3. Integration into Your Professional Life

As a psychotherapist with an engineering background and an interest in Stoicism, you may find that this concept resembles control systems in engineering:

In engineering, you manage inputs to produce outputs. However, in human psychology, outputs (behaviour or outcomes) are always influenced by unpredictable variables (‘noise’ or ‘interference’).

 If you force an unstable system (by attempting to exert full control over external factors), your psychological system will crash or overheat.

Conclusion:

A loss of self-identity often stems from a strenuous effort to control external factors (material possessions, status, recognition) that are actually beyond our control. When those external factors are lost, we feel shattered because our ‘sphere of control’ has become fused with them.

By reclaiming your control space through your core values and the processes you undertake, you build a stronger psychological defence against the turbulence of the outside world.

As you embark on your new career as a coordinator in the industrial sector, where you will interact more frequently with complex external variables

Humans should not focus on certain objects, places or people to avoid feelings of attachment

  Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "Humans should not focus on certain objects, places or people to avoid feelings of attachment.", the main reason why I choose that topic because many people are too obsessed with the things that can't be controlled, in that circumstances will inflict overthinking issue for longer period, I personally do not recommend you to focus on something that cannot be completely controlled, in Modern psychological perspectives, particularly within the fields of Cognitive Psychology and Behavioural Psychology, it offers deeper thinking process, when the topic touching on the inner realm, but the topic above indirectly guides us not to follow our desires, but to surrender to fate, Although Haanel’s statement is steeped in the philosophy of New Thought and metaphysics, its underlying principles can be explained through the scientific mechanisms of the human mind.

The following is an overview from a psychological perspective:

1. Locus of Control (Internal vs. External Control)

The statement “external circumstances are merely effects” aligns closely with the concept of Internal Locus of Control.

 Analysis: Individuals who believe they have control over their own actions and thoughts tend to be more resilient and proactive.

 Psychological Implications: When you stop focusing your energy on uncontrollable external variables (such as other people’s behaviour or a specific location), you redirect your mental resources towards what you can control: your responses, attitudes, and self-efficacy. This directly reduces anxiety and boosts self-efficacy.

2. Selective Attention and Confirmation Bias

Why does focusing on “goals” rather than “objects/people” 

Have a psychological basis?

 Reticular Activating System (RAS): This is the part of the brain that filters the millions of pieces of information entering our senses. When you set an "aspiration" (a clear mental goal), you are indirectly instructing the RAS to be more attuned to information, opportunities, or people relevant to that goal.

 Confirmation Bias: Once the mind is focused on an aspiration (ideal), the brain tends to seek evidence that supports that belief. Thus, the outside world seems to "change" not because of mystical factors, but because you begin to notice opportunities that your brain previously overlooked.

3. Cognitive Reframing and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

The statement that "the cause is a mental state" is at the heart of Cognitive Theory.

 Concept: Human emotions and behaviour are not directly determined by events (objects/places/people), but rather by our interpretation or cognitive schemas of those events.

 Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: If your mental state is focused on "aspirations" (positive beliefs), you will behave consistently with those goals. This behaviour then triggers reactions from the social environment that often validate your initial beliefs.

Critical Notes from Psychology

Although this principle has a strong foundation in personal development, modern psychology offers an important caveat:

 The Risk of Magical Thinking: Psychology warns against mental focus turning into "magical thinking" (believing that merely thinking about aspirations will make things appear instantly without concrete action). Aspirations must be followed by behavioural execution

Ignoring External Reality: Psychology also emphasises that completely ignoring others or the environment can be harmful. We are social beings. Mental health often depends on the quality of our interpersonal relationships and our adaptation to environmental realities.

Conclusion

Psychologically, this statement is a form of cognitive focus training. By shifting focus from unpredictable external variables to manageable “mental states”, you create a stable foundation for more effective decision-making and action.

In clinical practice, this is similar to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques, where we train clients to change their thought patterns (cognitions) so that their emotions and the outcomes of their actions in the real world become healthier and more purposeful.

Can humans demand perfection even though they themselves are not perfect?

    Hi, today I would like share about the interesting topic, namely "Can humans demand perfection even though they themselves are not perfect? This question touches on the very heart of the paradox of human existence. From a philosophical and psychological perspective, Humans demand perfection because they think that with the status of perfection, from my perception, they shape their mindset like that because they think that they can get what they hope during their career, in another point of view, type of thinking like that can actually create chaos and decline in their career path because they use negative force energy path to change the situation, In reality, there is no perfection in human abilities because human abilities change from time to time, here there are several ways of perception to look at this phenomenon:

1. The ‘Need for Ideality’ Paradox

People often demand perfection precisely because they are aware of their own imperfection. Perfection serves as a ‘North Star’—a direction that can never be reached, yet is used to guide one’s steps so as not to lose one’s way in chaos. Without high standards, people might lose the motivation to grow.

2. The Stoic Perspective and Acceptance

From a Stoic perspective, demanding perfection in matters beyond one’s control (such as the behaviour of others or the final outcome of an event) is often seen as a source of suffering.

 * Focus on the Process: Rather than demanding a perfect outcome, the focus shifts to excellence of character (Arete) in doing one’s best in the present moment, even if the result remains imperfect.

3. Psychological Projection

Sometimes, a person’s harsh demands for perfection in others are a form of projection. When someone cannot accept their own weaknesses, they tend to criticise the same weaknesses in others. This is a defence mechanism to divert internal insecurity.

4. Justice and Empathy (Ethical Considerations)

Ethically speaking, demanding perfection from others whilst tolerating one’s own shortcomings can be seen as moral injustice or hypocrisy. However, if such demands take the form of a shared aspiration to improve, they can be constructive.

The Middle Ground: Excellence, Not Perfection

Perhaps the question is no longer ‘is it permissible or not’, but rather ‘is it functional?’.

 * Perfectionism: Often rigid, judgemental, and ending in disappointment due to impossible standards.

 * Excellence: Striving for the best whilst being fully aware of human limitations.

Demanding perfection in a flawed world is like trying to paint on water. It is far healthier to demand growth rather than perfection, because growth values the process, whereas perfection values only the outcome—which is often a mirage.