High Agency: The Key to Taking Control of Your Life
Most people settle for what life hands them. They play defense, stay within the lines, and stick to the routines they’ve been handed. High-agency people take charge. They know they’re in control of their own story. If they’re told something can’t be done, it just means they need to get creative.
Here’s how to recognize high agency, develop it in yourself, and use it to change the game in every part of your life.
What is high agency?
High agency is about taking ownership. It’s the belief that you have the power to shape your circumstances instead of being shaped by them. When obstacles arise, a high-agency person asks, “How can I make this work?” rather than accepting defeat. High-agency people don’t wait for permission – they find a way or they make a way.
People that lack agency are passive. They take what they’re given without question and let circumstances or inertia shape their life. Those with high agency shape reality to match their ambitions, seeing obstacles as just another part of the challenge.
High agency in action
High agency is more than a mindset; it’s a way of operating. Here are a few examples that show that high-agency thinking isn’t about credentials or resources – it’s about finding a way.
- Jeff Bezos’s Prison Call Test
High-agency people are resourceful, period. Bezos has a mental test for this: If you were locked in a third-world prison and could call only one person to get you out, who would it be? High-agency people get creative, don’t take no for an answer, and find ways to achieve what they set out to do, even when it seems impossible. - Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Path to Global Fame
Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t have the typical background for any of the paths he pursued. He moved from rural Austria to the U.S. to pursue bodybuilding, which led to worldwide fame. Then he took on Hollywood with a thick accent and no acting credentials, ultimately becoming one of the world’s biggest stars. He even parlayed this fame into a political career as California’s governor. High-agency thinkers don’t limit themselves by sticking within conventional paths; they create their own. - The Wright Brothers Redefine Reality
When everyone else thought human flight was impossible, the Wright brothers—a couple of self-taught mechanics—designed, tested, and built the first airplane. They didn’t have formal training or endless funds. They just made it happen. High-agency people don’t need to be told what’s possible—they go out and show you. - Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition
When Ernest Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, became trapped in the Antarctic ice, he didn’t resign himself to fate. Instead, he took extreme steps to protect his crew, first surviving on ice floes after the ship was crushed and later navigating a hazardous open-sea journey to find rescue. Shackleton embodied high agency by continuously pushing forward, finding ways to adapt, and inspiring his men to survive against nearly impossible odds.
The impact of being high agency
High agency has an enormous effect on every area of life. Here’s what changes when you bring it into your world.
- Career and Financial Freedom
High-agency people don’t stick around in jobs that drain them. They’re the ones starting businesses, finding new ways to create income, and building something they control. Career-wise, high-agency people redefine success on their own terms. - Relationships That Build You Up
High agency is just as important in your personal life. A high-agency person doesn’t stay in relationships that aren’t fulfilling. They don’t waste time with friends who drag them down, nor do they stick with romantic partners out of inertia. Instead, they actively choose relationships that fuel growth and connection. They bring the same proactive mindset to their friendships and relationships, ensuring that they align with their values and goals. - Lifestyle
High-agency individuals don’t live on autopilot. They pick up new skills, start hobbies, and push their limits. They’re unafraid to step into activities that are unfamiliar or challenging. Want to take up rock climbing or get into public speaking? High-agency thinking moves you to act, even if you’re not “ready.” It’s the ability to break out of routines that keep most people comfortably stuck.
How to become high agency
Building high agency is about strengthening the muscle that keeps you moving forward, no matter the circumstances. Here are a few ways to develop it:
- Question Everything
Default answers aren’t for high-agency people. Whether it’s a rule, an expectation, or a “that’s just how things are,” they question it all. Asking “Why?” and “Why not?” consistently reveals options most people never see. - Set Big, Unconventional Goals
The goals that demand everything from you are the ones worth chasing. Forget what’s “realistic.” Peter Thiel has a line: How can you achieve your 10-year goal in six months? High-agency people know that bold goals push them to think bigger and look for ways to redefine the rules entirely. - Embrace Rejection
When you hear “no,” view it as a starting point, not a dead end. High-agency individuals treat rejection as feedback and a cue to adjust their approach. Persistence is part of the deal. - Seek Out Challenges that Stretch You
Put yourself in situations that require growth. Whether it’s a new project, a skill, or a social environment outside your comfort zone, these experiences strengthen your ability to adapt and perform under pressure. - Surround Yourself with High-Agency People
High agency is contagious. Spend time around people who think this way, and you’ll start operating on a different level. Seek out mentors, friends, and colleagues who inspire you to push past your limits.
Set your own terms
High agency is about making your life yours. The script? Yours to write. The rules? Yours to make. High agency is the difference between living passively and actively shaping your future. Next time someone says, “You can’t,” consider it a challenge.
