Have you ever thought about what makes us who we are? 

Are our lives predetermined, as some religions say, or do we have control over our destinies? 

The concept of fate and free will is an age-old philosophical debate that has been discussed and argued by many great thinkers across generations, from philosophers to astrologists to theologians to scientists. Each has their interpretation of this subject. In this blog article, however, we will explore the concepts of Locus of Control and Mindsets to understand better fate, free will, and self-determination and how they shape us individually and collectively. Read on to learn more!

Is there a relationship between Fate, Free Will & Self-Determination?

Is our destiny a function of fate or of free will? Are we born into the life we live, or do we have the power to shape it, change it, and contribute to it? These complicated questions have been argued endlessly from several endless perspectives. To understand these questions, we must first understand the concepts of locus of control and mindsets. People with an internal locus of control believe they can control their destinies through their choices and actions. On the other hand, people with an external locus of control believe that outside forces beyond their control predetermine their destiny.

Same story about mindsets; people with a growth mindset believe that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and practice. Conversely, those with a fixed mindset believe that their skills and intelligence are set in stone and that they are at the mercy of outside forces.

The relationship between fate, free will, and self-determination is complex. Many factors contribute to our destiny, such as birth coordinates, karma, hardwired behaviors, energy blockages, or simply our willingness to be aware of and accept our limitations. It is difficult to say how much effect each factor has. And some people may be more influenced by fate than others, while others have more control over their destinies through their choices and actions. 

In any case, I see free will as a subjective power of choice constantly influenced by our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. We all react and make choices at the level of our individual consciousness, meaning up to our limitations and psychological barriers. We cannot choose something outside our blockages, conditioning, or limitations because we don’t see them. 

That is why it is so important to be open and work on ourselves. Expansion depends upon our willingness to face some areas of our lives and grow out of our limitations. Free will is a muscle that needs to be worked on, a plant that needs to be cultivated, watered, and nurtured. The more we work on clearing our conditioning, limitations, and blockages, the more we expand our understanding and capacity to make better choices and, ultimately, a better life. 

Fate suggests that our destiny is predetermined, and we have no control over it. This can be seen as negative or positive, depending on how you view it. On the positive side, fate takes the pressure off us to make all the right choices in life:  because it’s already been decided for us, our actions will have little or no impact.   On the negative side, however, it can take away our sense of agency and control over our lives.

On the other side, free will suggests that we have complete control over our destiny and that anything is possible if we set our minds to it. This empowering perspective gives us the motivation to make positive changes in our lives and the power to create the life we want for ourselves.

So which is it? Fate or free will? The answer may be somewhere in the middle. Both concepts likely play a role in shaping our destiny. Factors beyond our control may influence us, but ultimately it’s up to us to choose how we respond to those factors and what direction we want our lives to go.

We don’t know what we don’t know.

I first heard of a simplified version of the Knowledge Matrix way at the beginning of my work in personal development at the Landmark Forum. It brought me a broader view of how much we don’t know. When I researched, I found this concept mentioned as early as Socrates, the Greek philosopher who said, “to know is to know that you know nothing. This is true knowledge.” or “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” In Buddhism, “not-knowing” allows us to open and free the mind. Today, this concept has vast applications by the US Military and Defense Intelligence to NASA in business and marketing development.  

The Knowledge Awareness Matrix 

Knowledge Awareness refers to what we know and our Awareness or consciousness of that Knowledge. Or the lack of it. 

Knowledge with Awareness = What we know that we know

Knowledge without Awareness = What we don’t know that we know 

Awareness without Knowledge = What we know that we don’t know

No Awareness No Knowledge = What we don’t know, we don’t know

Socrates argued that it doesn’t matter how much knowledge we have. It is essential to acknowledge that we don’t know everything and just be open and embrace our limitations. Only by accepting who we are can we open the door to growth.

Usually, we are confident with what we know and know that we know. Example: A plumber knows his skill, and he knows what he knows.

What we don’t know, we know, are what we are unaware of. Example: I call one plumber who does not know how to figure out my piping situation in the kitchen and call another plumber for which this particular repair is a breeze because he knows it very well. The second plumber becomes aware of his wealth of skills compared to his peers. 

We are also confident with what we know we don’t know. We usually either learn what we don’t know, if it is important enough, or we delegate what we don’t know to others who do know. Example: I called a plumber for the piping issue. I would not look into learning the skill but hire somebody who knows what they are doing.

The tricky one is what we don’t know; we don’t know. These are our blind spots, things we are unaware we don’t know. I was referring to this earlier, where we cannot choose something within our limitations because it is something we don’t see; we cannot choose what we don’t know. This is where we have the room to grow, look outside the box, ask questions, and be open to receiving the answers. But even with the questions, sometimes we are so in the dark that we don’t even know what questions to ask. This is where searching, exploring, and expanding our consciousness occurs, but we need to be willing for this to happen. Willingness to be aware that there are a lot of things that we don’t know, and on top of that, a lot of things that we don’t know we don’t know.

This willingness to be aware is significant in shifting the locus of control and mindsets. It helps us stay open and curious to analyze things without judgment, become comfortable in the unknown, and know and understand that we all have different perspectives. Because what is unknown to us can be well known to someone else. By understanding the different perspectives, we see new possibilities we have never considered, and we open up to diversity. 

Has it ever happened to you to feel that something is wrong with a situation but could not understand it? Something that you could not put your finger on. And after a while, you have a conversation with someone, or you hear a talk on TV, and you realize the obvious, what was available to you all along. 

That is translated into the expansion of my consciousness. That means some blockages were released and conditioning cleared, and you can see past that. Without the willingness to acknowledge your lack and to be open to new possibilities, you would not have been able to see it. And it is so liberating….

How to Create Your Destiny

Our Mindset can influence how much control we have over our destiny. People who think they can control their destinies are more likely to take actions that lead to desired outcomes.

I emphasize that we do not have 100 % control of our lives. We cannot control the weather or how others choose to be, think or act, and we can only control ourselves. No matter what role fate plays in our lives, it is essential to remember that we always have some degree of choice in how we live our lives. We can choose how we react to the events that happen to us and what kind of person we want to be. Our choices may not always lead to the desired outcomes, but they shape who we are and who we become.

Although it may seem like our destiny is predetermined, we have much control over what happens in our lives. We create our destinies through the choices we make every day.

The first step to creating your destiny is understanding that you can choose your path. Fate or circumstances beyond your control do not bind you, and instead, you have the freedom to make choices that will lead you toward the life you want to live.

Of course, making the right choices is not always easy. That’s why developing strong self-awareness, self-knowledge, and openness is essential. By understanding your values and what you truly want, you’ll be better equipped to make decisions that align with your goals.

It’s also essential to develop a positive mindset. Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve anything you set your mind to. When you have a positive outlook, you’ll be more likely to take action and make choices that will lead you toward success.

Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks. Sometimes the best way to create your destiny is to forge your path, even if it means stepping outside your comfort zone. Trust your instincts and follow your heart – it will lead you toward the life you’re meant to live. Sometimes “failing” is part of the process, just a stepping stone or a lesson. Thomas Edison said he learned 2000 ways of how not to make a light bulb.

Locus of control: External control v. Internal control

Put, your Locus of Control is your belief about who or what is in control of your life – whether that’s you, external forces, or a combination of both. As we mentioned, people with an External Locus of Control believe their lives are controlled by outside parties – fate, luck, God, other people, etc. This belief can lead to feelings of powerlessness and even hopelessness. On the other hand, people with an Internal Locus of Control believe they are in control of their own lives, and this belief leads to a sense of empowerment and self-determination.

So which is better? There’s no right or wrong answer – it’s all about what works for you. If you find yourself feeling powerless and stuck, it might be time to start working on shifting your Mindset to one of Internal Control. But if you feel like you’re in control and making progress toward your goals, there’s no need to make any changes.

The most important thing is to be aware of your Locus of Control and how it affects your life. Once you’re aware of it, you can start making choices that align with the kind of life you want to live.

Mindsets: Growth mindset v. Fixed Mindset

People with a growth mindset believe their abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and practice. This type of thinking leads to a more positive outlook on life and increased motivation and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Conversely, those with a fixed mindset believe their abilities and intelligence are set in stone. This way of thinking can lead to negative thinking patterns and decreased motivation and resilience.

So which is better? A growth mindset or a fixed mindset?

There’s no right or wrong answer, but research has shown that people with a growth mindset are more successful than those with a fixed mindset. So if you want to achieve your goals and reach your full potential, adopting a growth mindset is an excellent place to start.

In conclusion, fate, free will, and self-determination are all intricately linked in the concept of locus of control and our mindsets. While external forces beyond our control may influence us to a certain degree, ultimately, we can determine how we respond to these influences – something known as ‘volitional action’ – which shapes our destiny. As such, while fate may exist in some capacity, it does not tie us down; instead, each of us has the potential to chart our path through life if we have the courage and determination necessary for success.

PS: I gave an example to the plumber earlier because while writing this article, I had a major repair in my apartment that required two plumbers.