LibGuides: ENGAGE: Life Skills: Self-Control

Self-control is the ability to handle personal feelings and emotions in difficult life situations.

Readings & Audio Books

How to Improve Your Self-Control
"Self-control is the ability to regulate and alter your responses to avoid undesirable behaviors, increase desirable ones, and achieve long-term goals. Research has shown that possessing self-control can be important for health and well-being.." (Very Well Mind)
Locus of Control
"When something goes wrong, it’s natural to cast blame on the perceived cause of the misfortune..." (Psychology Today)
Perceived Control and Coping With Threats We Want to Forget
"In our daily lives, many of us occasionally encounter situations over which we feel we have very little control..." (Psychology Today)
What you need to know about willpower: The psychological science of self-control
With more self-control would we all eat right, exercise regularly, avoid drugs and alcohol, save for retirement, stop procrastinating, and "achieve all sorts of noble goals?" (American Psychological Association)

Emotional Awareness
Log your emotions throughout the day using this worksheet.
Experiencing Emotions
Reflect on the nature of emotions by answering the questions in this worksheet.
Red Light Anger
What does anger look and feel like? Explore it in this worksheet.
Self-control Spotting
Identify what self control does and does not look like in this worksheet.

Commitment, Obstacles, and Strategies
Use this worksheet to help design long-term life goals that are based on personal values.
Motivational Activities
Use the Auerbach GOOD model in this motivational activity.

Challenge Questions
Ask yourself these questions when you fall into negative thinking patterns.
Exploring Past Resilience
Reflect on resilient moments in your life to further develop your resilience.