Self Control Scale

How do you approach work and decision-making? Take this adaptation of a psychological assessment that academics have used for more than thirty years. Then learn how your score compares with the scores of others—and what it might mean for your day-to-day life.

  1. When I do a boring job, I think about the less boring parts of the job and the reward that I will receive once I am finished.

  2. When I have to do something that is anxiety-arousing for me, I try to visualize how I will overcome my anxieties while doing it.

  3. Often by changing my way of thinking I am able to change my feelings about almost everything.

  4. I often find it difficult to overcome my feelings of nervousness and tension without any outside help.

  5. When I am feeling depressed I try to think about pleasant events.

  6. I cannot avoid thinking about mistakes I have made in the past.

  7. When I am faced with a difficult problem, I try to approach its solution in a systematic way.

  8. I usually do my duties quicker when somebody is pressuring me.

  9. When I am faced with a difficult decision, I prefer to postpone making a decision even if all the facts are at my disposal.

  10. When I find that I have difficulties in concentrating on my reading, I look for ways to increase my concentration.

  11. When I plan to work, I remove all the things that are not relevant to my work.

  12. When I try to get rid of a bad habit, I first try to find out all the factors that maintain this habit.

  13. When an unpleasant thought is bothering me, I try to think about something pleasant.

  14. If I would smoke two packs of cigarettes a day, I probably would need outside help to stop smoking.

  15. When I am in a low mood, I try to act cheerful so my mood will change.

  16. If I had the pills with me, I would take a tranquilizer whenever I felt tense and nervous.

  17. When I am depressed, I try to keep myself busy with things that I like.

  18. I tend to postpone unpleasant duties even if I could perform them immediately.

  19. I need outside help to get rid of some of my bad habits.

  20. When I find it difficult to settle down and do a certain job, I look for ways to help me settle down.

  21. Although it makes me feel bad, I cannot avoid thinking about all kinds of possible catastrophes in the future.

  22. First of all, I prefer to finish a job that I have to do and then start doing the things I really like.

  23. When I feel pain in a certain part of my body, I try not to think about it.

  24. My self-esteem increases once I am able to overcome a bad habit.

  25. In order to overcome bad feelings that accompany failure, I often tell myself that it is not so catastrophic and that I can do something about it.

  26. When I feel that I am too impulsive, I tell myself "stop and think before you do anything."

  27. Even when I am terribly angry at somebody, I consider my actions very carefully.

  28. Facing the need to make a decision, I usually find out all the possible alternatives instead of deciding quickly and spontaneously.

  29. Usually I do first the things I really like to do even if there are more urgent things to do.

  30. When I realize that I cannot help but be late for an important meeting, I tell myself to keep calm.

  31. When I feel pain in my body, I try to divert my thoughts from it.

  32. I usually plan my work when faced with a number of things to do.

  33. When I am short of money, I decide to record all my expenses in order to plan more carefully for the future.

  34. If I find it difficult to concentrate on a certain job, I divide the job into smaller segments.

  35. Quite often I cannot overcome unpleasant thoughts that bother me.

  36. Once I am hungry and unable to eat, I try to divert my thoughts away from my stomach or try to imagine that I am satisfied.