Success Mantra

How to come out of controlling freak in 5 simple steps?

Controlling behaviors often stem from anxiety and fear. When things feel out of control, it’s natural to want to control them in order to feel safe (or happy or content). But of course, we can’t control other people and situations. So our efforts don’t ultimately make us feel better. 

     Our need to feel in control is driven by fear. Most people feel scared or anxious when they think about all the things that are out of their control — and all the things that can go wrong, the bad things that can happen to themselves or their loved ones.

     This is especially true if you grew up in a chaotic family where things were unpredictable, you had to walk on eggshells, and you were often afraid. When youre a child you have very little control over your life, so you may overcompensate by tightly controlling your own behavior or appearance (such as, adhering to a strict diet or rigid routine) or bossing around younger siblings.

Control and certainty give us a sense of security and safety. So, its only natural to want to control things (and people) with the idea that if we can control them, well be safe (and happy or successful). Trying to control things being rigid, demanding, and perfectionistic becomes our way of coping with fear and anxiety.

   The problem is that we cant control the majority of things in life and trying to control them doesnt necessarily make our lives better. As you know, being controlling can create a host of new problems such as stress and strained relationships.

   Control and certainty give us a sense of security and safety. So, its only natural to want to control things (and people) with the idea that if we can control them, well be safe (and happy or successful). Trying to control things being rigid, demanding, and perfectionistic becomes our way of coping with fear and anxiety.

      So, if control and certainty make us feel safe, whats wrong with trying to control things? Well, the problem is its not possible. Most things are outside of our control and trying to bend them to our will only create more resistance, stress, and conflict.

Relentlessly demanding perfection from yourself increases physical and emotional stress. For example, you might experience common symptoms of stress such as headaches or gastrointestinal problems, neck or back pain, trouble sleeping, low energy, procrastination and feeling unmotivated, irritability or anger, feeling down or depressed, or constant worry. As you can imagine, these kinds of stress take a toll on your body, mind, and spirit, and make it difficult to live your life to the fullest.

When were controlling, our relationships also suffer. We can be difficult to be around bossy, critical, and judgmental of others. Arguments, emotional distance, and hurt feelings usually result.

  So, the time demands that one should come out of being control freak and follow steps for attaining the same.

  Team Inspiring Life provides you with a 5 steps to get rid of control freaks.

5 steps to get rid of controlling freak.

1. Explore your feelings

In order to change your controlling behaviors, youll need to dig deeper into the underlying causes. Start by asking yourself: What fears are driving my controlling behavior? When emotions are high, they can distort our thoughts. So, its also important to ask yourself: Are these fears rational or am I catastrophizing, using black-and-white thinking, or another cognitive distortion? 

2. Accept whats out of your control.

Intellectually, we all know that we can only control ourselves and yet we persist in trying to get our spouse and kids to do things the right way or to make the right choices. Acceptance means that we distinguish whats in our control and whats not, and stop giving unwanted advice and pushing situations to be something they arent. Instead, we can surrender to whats out of our control and allow things to be as they are without forcing them to change to our will. In codependency recovery, we call this detaching with love. It means we stop trying to control the outcome and allow people to make their own choices.

3. Gain awareness.

To begin, you ‘ll want to notice your controlling behaviors and write them down. This will help you anticipate situations where your inner control freak is likely to surface and you can plan an alternate response.

4. Embrace imperfection in yourself and others.

Part of acceptance is acknowledging that none of us are perfect we make mistakes, forget things, make poor decisions, and so on. We need to expect and accept that sometimes goals arent met, plans fall through, people disappoint us, and accidents happen. Trying to micromanage people and situations isnt going to prevent these kinds of things from happening. Instead, it tends to push people away.

5. Optimistic view.

Our catastrophic thinking leads us to assume that all unexpected change is bad, but this is false. Being called in for a meeting with your boss doesnt mean youre in trouble; it could be to praise your work or offer you a new opportunity. And if your date cancels dinner plans, it doesnt mean the relationship is doomed; you might have an even better date next week. Try to stay open to the possibility that unexpected change can be positive even if it doesnt feel that way when it first happens.