Be independent
Live life on your own terms
Autonomy is not a luxury — it is a basic psychological need.
Have freedom
Be free to make your own choices
Freedom sounds universally desirable, but research reveals a more detailed picture.
Be self-reliant
Depend on yourself for what you need
Self-reliance — the ability to depend on yourself to meet life's demands — is a critical component of psychological...
Have control over life
Direct the course of your own life
Feeling in control of your own life is a powerful determinant of psychological health and resilience.
More in Personal Growth
Achievement & Success5 goalsEducation & Learning5 goalsCareer & Work6 goalsWealth & Financial Security5 goalsSelf-Development6 goalsCreativity & Expression5 goalsHealth & Fitness5 goalsAppearance4 goalsHappiness & Enjoyment5 goalsPeace & Tranquility5 goalsSpirituality & Meaning4 goalsMorality & Ethics5 goalsAdventure & Experience5 goalsLifestyle4 goalsPossessions4 goalsSafety & Security4 goalsEnvironment & Nature3 goalsPolitics & Society4 goals
Based on Chulef, Read & Walsh (2001) · Last reviewed February 2026
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