One of the core distinctions between people who succeed in life and those who don’t is the way they think about problems. High-agency individuals operate with a mindset that sees obstacles as things to be worked around, while low-agency individuals surrender to circumstances. Understanding the difference is the first step to ensuring you’re on the right side of the divide.

What Is High Agency Thinking?

High-agency thinking is the belief that you can influence your environment, solve problems, and achieve goals despite external obstacles. People with high agency don’t accept constraints at face value—they test them, find loopholes, negotiate, and adapt. They don’t wait for permission or ideal conditions; they take action.

Traits of High-Agency Thinkers:

• Problem-Solvers: When they encounter an obstacle, they look for creative ways around it.
• Self-Reliant: They trust their ability to figure things out rather than waiting for someone else to solve their problems.
• Persistent: They keep pushing forward even when things get difficult.
• Question Authority: They don’t blindly accept rules, limitations, or societal expectations—they analyze whether those constraints are real or artificial.
• Take Ownership: They take responsibility for their outcomes instead of blaming external factors.

What Is Low Agency Thinking?

Low-agency thinking, on the other hand, is a passive mindset. People with low agency believe that external circumstances dictate their fate. They see obstacles as insurmountable and often feel powerless to change their situation.

Traits of Low-Agency Thinkers:

• Victim Mentality: They see themselves as powerless against their circumstances.
• Excuse-Makers: Instead of looking for solutions, they justify inaction with reasons why something “can’t be done.”
• Dependent on External Help: They rely on authority figures, institutions, or other people to solve their problems.
• Easily Deterred: When faced with difficulty, they give up instead of adapting.
• Fear of Discomfort: They prefer to stay in their comfort zone rather than take risks or challenge themselves.

Real-World Examples of High vs. Low Agency Thinking

Imagine two men who both lose their jobs unexpectedly.

• The low-agency man says, “This is terrible. The job market is awful. I’ll never find something decent.” He updates his resume, submits a few applications, and waits. If nothing happens, he complains about how unfair life is.
• The high-agency man immediately starts thinking of ways to get back on his feet. He doesn’t just submit applications—he reaches out to his network, considers freelancing, and even explores opportunities to start his own business. He keeps testing new approaches until he finds a solution.

Another example:

• A low-agency man sees a rule or regulation and accepts it without question.
• A high-agency man asks, “Is this actually a hard rule, or just a guideline? Can it be changed, negotiated, or worked around?”

How to Develop High Agency

If you recognize elements of low-agency thinking in yourself, don’t worry—agency is something you can develop.

1. Take Full Responsibility

Stop blaming external circumstances. Instead of thinking, “I can’t because…” start asking, “How can I?”

2. Break the Permission Mindset

Most people wait for permission—from their boss, society, or some imagined authority figure. High-agency individuals move forward without waiting for approval.

3. Challenge Every Limitation

When you encounter a roadblock, don’t immediately accept it as final. Ask yourself: Is this really a hard stop, or just an obstacle I need to work around?

4. Take Immediate Action

Analysis is useful, but action is king. High-agency people don’t get stuck in overthinking—they move fast, test ideas, and iterate.

5. Adopt a “Figure It Out” Mindset

Instead of waiting until you have all the answers, trust that you can learn as you go. Every successful person started without all the answers.

Final Thoughts

Your level of agency determines how far you go in life. The good news? You have the power to choose. You can train yourself to become a high-agency person by shifting your mindset and taking control of your circumstances. The world belongs to those who refuse to accept limits—be one of them.