10 Signs You're a Control Freak

Control freaks rarely know that they are one. They believe that they are helping people with their "constructive criticism" or taking over a project because " no one else will do it right." They don't see their controlling behaviors as symptoms of what's really going on-their own anxiety has taken over noticeable.

  

Irrational thoughts abound in our high stress world: If I don't get this contract, I'll get fired. If  I don't perform well she/he will leave me. If I don't get that raise, I suck at my job....and on and on and on............. All of these thoughts might be true, but probably not.

Want to know if you're a control freak? Here are eight signs for your self-diagnosing pleasure.

1. You believe that if someone would change one or two things about themselves, you'd be happier. So you try to "help them" change this behavior by pointing it out, usually over and over.
2. You judge others' behavior as right or wrong and passive-aggressively withhold attention until they fall in line with your expectations. Sitting in silent judgment is a master form of control.
3. You offer "constructive criticism"
4. You change who you are or what you believe so that someone will accept you. Instead of just being yourself, you attempt to incept others by managing their impression of you.
5. You have lots of personal rules, routines, rituals, and ceremonies.
6. You "help" other people drive - tell them what route to take, when to turn, where to park, remind them that the traffic light has changed.
7. You dislike depending on others, accepting help from them, or allowing them to do things for you.
   8.  You "over-plan" simple activities. 
   9. You find it difficult to admit making mistakes, being wrong or misinformed about something, or acknowledging that you've changed your mind.
   10. You become angry, irritable, or anxious when someone or something makes you late, when things don't start on time, or things don't go according to plan.

You believe that if you can change another person's undesirable behavior, then you will be happier or more fulfilled. You make someone else responsible for how you feel.

The thing is, you are only responsible for you. The road to better relationships always starts with you. Rather than attempt to control everyone else, work on becoming a better version of yourself. Here are a few ideas:

• Be vulnerable with people.
• Be realistic about your expectations of others. 
• Quit the passive-aggressive nonsense--be direct. 
• Accept that a large portion of life is laced with unknowns. 
• Embrace confrontation--it really is sometimes the only thing you can do. 
• Take responsibility for your own happiness.

If you work on your own improvement instead of trying to control others, healthier relationships at work, as well as everywhere else, will then come to you as a result.

What exactly is control freak ? ..or is just your BIG EGO difficult to compromise and always have to be right?