The Mulry 5-Step Method For Internal Locus Of Control

Key Takeaways

The Mulry Method teaches how to create positive life changes by developing an Internal Locus of Control (LOC) for lasting self-motivation.
Its 5-step process guides you to define the problem, calm your nerves, set clear goals, take focused action, and measure progress.
The Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI) helps identify and prioritize concerns, providing a foundation for effective goal-setting.
Relaxation Therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress, stabilize emotions, and support clear decision-making.
Research shows that individuals with an Internal LOC experience greater satisfaction, resilience, and success than those with an External LOC.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Creating Positive Life Changes Starts With A Strategy

Creating meaningful, positive life changes is much like planning a road trip. You need a clear destination, a strategy, and the belief that your choices matter. The Mulry Method’s 5-step process helps you build an Internal Locus of Control (LOC) by teaching you how to define your concerns, calm your nervous system, set actionable goals, take focused steps, and track your progress.

If you believe your progress is driven by your own skills and a well-thought-out strategy for change, you’re operating with an Internal Locus of Control, a core concept in Julian Rotter’s Social Learning Theory (SLT). If you credit success to luck or others, you’re functioning with an External Locus of Control.

Research shows that those with an Internal LOC tend to achieve greater success. With the Mulry Method’s five steps, you’ll gain the tools to take control of your life and move forward with confidence.

Step 1: Define The Problem Using The Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI)

The more precisely you understand a concern, the more likely you are to solve it. This is where the Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI) becomes invaluable.

What Is A Personal Concern?

In Social Learning Theory, a personal concern is any issue or challenge that influences your behavior, learning, or development. These concerns are shaped by both internal thought processes and external influences such as past experiences, observations of others, and your environment.

SLT views personal concerns as internal conflicts often rooted in negative expectancy, expressed in two forms:

High expectancy for unfavorable outcomes: “I fully expect to lose the job I love.”
Low expectancy for favorable outcomes: “I don’t expect to get the job I might apply for.”

Both reflect negative anticipation that prevents Focused Action and success. Some expectations may seem realistic, like not expecting to become a rocket scientist without training, but when you anticipate failure, you often avoid action and reinforce the very outcome you fear.

The Role Of Neuroception

In Polyvagal Theory, neuroception refers to the body’s subconscious ability to detect safety or danger. It acts like an internal alarm, signaling potential threats through physical sensations.

When negative expectancies (thoughts) combine with negative neuroceptions (bodily reactions), they create hesitation and self-defeating behavior.

Example: You prepare for an important presentation but believe you’ll fail. Your heart races, your palms sweat, and your stomach tightens. This cycle of anxiety reinforces avoidance and weakens performance.

By addressing both your thoughts and physical responses, you can break the loop and approach challenges with confidence.

Why The PCI Is Essential

The PCI helps interrupt this pattern by identifying and prioritizing your Primary Concern. With more than 1,000 possible concerns, it provides structure and clarity in about 20 minutes. Once defined, your Primary Concern becomes the foundation for setting goals and taking Focused Action.

Benefits Of Defining The Problem

Find your focus and eliminate distractions
Overcome indecision and move past uncertainty
Create a strategy for success
Use attention to stay on what matters
Succeed through consistent Focused Action

With your Primary Concerns clearly identified using the PCI, the next step is to address the emotional and physiological responses that can reinforce avoidance and self-doubt. By calming your nervous system and stabilizing your emotions, you break free from negative patterns and become better equipped to approach your concerns with clarity, focus, and confidence, ready for effective, goal-oriented action.

Step 2: Calm Your Nerves With Relaxation Therapy

Emotions are not just mental experiences. They are physical events felt throughout your body. To manage emotions effectively, you must calm the body first. Relaxation Therapy (RT) provides that essential support.

Activate The Parasympathetic Nervous System

Relaxation Therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the “rest and digest” system. It counteracts stress and restores balance to both body and mind.

How Relaxation Therapy Works

RT stimulates the vagus nerve, which releases acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter that acts as a natural tranquilizer. This calms the nervous system, steadies emotions, and prepares you for Focused Action.

Benefits of Deep Relaxation:

Stabilizes emotions and eases stress
Clears mental fog and restores focus
Improves concentration for effective goal-setting

By relaxing your body and emotions, you create a foundation for thoughtful decision-making and strategic planning.

👉 Access the full collection of Relaxation Therapy recordings →

Step 3: Set Clear, Actionable Goals

Now that you’ve identified your Primary Concern with the PCI, you can define what success looks like. The clearer your goals, the greater your progress.

For example:
“I’m drinking six drinks a day and want to reduce that to two.”

Without clear goals, many people stay vague and unmotivated. The PCI eliminates uncertainty, helping you transform insight into specific targets.

Avoid Undefined Goals:

They create illusions of control
Lead to confusion and inaction
Increase emotional stress and uncertainty

Benefits Of Defined Goals:

Clarify priorities and purpose
Replace vagueness with action steps
Build momentum through Focused Action

Goal-setting is not only deciding what you want, it’s building a strategy to achieve it.

Step 4: Take Focused Action

Focused Action is the strategy you develop and execute to achieve your goals. This step emphasizes precision and decisiveness, leaving little room for hesitation or uncertainty.

Whether you’re forming a new habit or tackling a long-term objective, each action builds momentum. Commitment transforms intention into results. The more consistent your effort, the stronger your confidence becomes.

By dedicating yourself fully to the process, you transform intention into achievement and move closer to lasting success. As a Self-Learner, it’s up to you to take action, apply what you’ve learned, and keep building momentum through consistent effort.

Step 5: Measure Your Progress

Growth requires honest reflection. This step brings you back to where you started with the Personal Concerns Inventory. By retaking the PCI, you can measure how your concerns have changed and see your progress clearly.

If your goals are well-defined and supported by consistent action, you’ll see improvement in your “This Is Me!” report. As your concerns lessen, your ratings decrease, showing clear evidence that your self-learning is working.

Be Honest With Yourself

Honesty is essential. To truly benefit from this process, you must be clear about what’s working, where challenges remain, and what adjustments are needed. Facing reality directly ensures that your progress is genuine and effective.

Why Measuring Progress Matters:

Builds accountability and direction
Strengthens motivation through visible results
Ensures consistent, meaningful growth

As Dr. Mulry said, “We become what we do.” Committing to the necessary actions leads to meaningful change and provides an authentic reflection of your growth and success.

How An Internal Locus Of Control Shapes Success

Research shows that people with an Internal Locus of Control outperform those with an External one.

Internals experience:

Greater life satisfaction and well-being
Stronger career performance and mental agility
Healthier habits and personal responsibility
Resilience and adaptability under stress
Creativity in problem-solving
Leadership grounded in empathy and discipline

Between 1965 and 1975, LOC research was among the most cited topics in psychology, confirming its importance in human performance. Learn more in this overview of Locus of Control and Social Learning Theory.

The conclusion is clear: Internals thrive because they take ownership of their choices and actions. In an ideal world, everyone would be internally motivated.

For the scientific background that supports Internal Locus of Control, see The Science Behind Social Learning Theory.

Self-Learning And The Power Of Internality

The Mulry Method unites neuroscience with practical self-learning. It’s built on a simple principle: We become what we do.

True growth requires clarity, planning, and deliberate effort. Successful Self-Learning involves more than wishful thinking. Internally motivated individuals:

Define clear objectives
Create step-by-step plans
Take consistent, Focused Action

Success does not depend on luck or others. It starts with you. Every decision and action brings you closer to meaningful achievement.

FAQ

What is an Internal Locus of Control?

An Internal Locus of Control is the belief that your actions and decisions directly shape your outcomes. People with an Internal LOC take responsibility for their progress and use self-learning tools to guide change.

How does the Mulry Method develop Internal Locus of Control?

The Mulry Method builds Internal Control through a structured 5-step process: identifying concerns, calming the nervous system, setting clear goals, taking focused action, and measuring progress. Each step strengthens awareness, accountability, and confidence.

What role does the Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI) play?

The Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI) helps you define and prioritize what matters most. By clarifying your Primary Concern, it gives you the focus needed to set realistic goals and take meaningful action.

How is Relaxation Therapy connected to Internal Control?

Relaxation Therapy supports emotional balance by calming the nervous system through the vagus nerve. When stress decreases, you gain clarity and can approach challenges with greater focus and self-confidence.