--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The control center of your life is your…" description: "\"The control center of your life is your attitude.\" — Norman Cousins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/norman-cousins-2488_attitude_the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your_1501009.png" --- # The control center of your life is your attitude. ![“The control center of your life is your attitude.” quote by Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/norman-cousins-2488_attitude_the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your_1501009.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/norman-cousins-2488_attitude_the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your_1501009.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/norman-cousins-2488_attitude_the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your_1501009.png) > “The control center of your life is your attitude.” [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Your mindset functions as the central control panel, directing how you experience and respond to life’s events. **In simple terms:** Attitude controls life’s outcomes. Key Takeaway Cultivate a positive attitude to steer life. Themes mindset control resilience psychology well‑being Mood optimistic steady Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - stress management - leadership - personal development - health recovery Key Concepts self‑regulation cognitive framing emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How does your attitude affect daily decisions? - What habits reinforce a constructive mindset? A Different Perspective Negative attitudes can undermine even favorable circumstances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-attitude/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) ## Related quotes > [“Mission Control Center (MCC) at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) has got to be one of the most formidable and intellectually stimulating classrooms in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/mission-control-center-mcc-at-the-johnson-space-center-jsc-has-got-to/) [Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/) > [Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us. -JimmyJohn N. Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmyjohn-n-mitchell/our-attitude-toward-life-determines-life-s-attitude-towards-us/) JimmyJohn N Mitchell > [The happiness you are seeking is not to be found in the flow of life, but in your attitude toward whatever life brings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramesh-s-balsekar/the-happiness-you-are-seeking-is-not-to-be-found-in-the-flow-of-life/) [Ramesh S Balsekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramesh-s-balsekar/) > [“If you can learn to adapt a “who cares what anyone else thinks, I want a better life for myself” attitude, you’ll be on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-o-neill/if-you-can-learn-to-adapt-a-who-cares-what-anyone-else-thinks-i-want/) [Jennifer O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-o-neill/) > [Don't let someone be the center of your life, if you're not in the center of his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-lobedica/don-t-let-someone-be-the-center-of-your-life-if-you-re-not-in-the/) [Joanne Lobedica](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-lobedica/) > [“Center your life around what matters most to you!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-wayne-scott-andersen/center-your-life-around-what-matters-most-to-you/) Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen > [Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whatever-is-at-the-center-of-our-life-will-be-the-source-of-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You are the only one who can make it happen for you. Others can support and encourage you, but you have to find the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-field/you-are-the-only-one-who-can-make-it-happen-for-you-others-can/) [Lynda Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-field/) > [Suddenly, and for the first time, he was at the center of his own life, living it and loving it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-balogh/suddenly-and-for-the-first-time-he-was-at-the-center-of-his-own-life/) [Mary Balogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-balogh/) > [With Christ as the center of your life, you will never be disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/with-christ-as-the-center-of-your-life-you-will-never-be-disappointed/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I became more independent, more mature thanks to the rules laid down in the center of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/i-became-more-independent-more-mature-thanks-to-the-rules-laid-down/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [When we quietly stand in the center of our own being, we find our way back to center in our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/when-we-quietly-stand-in-the-center-of-our-own-being-we-find-our-way/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [There's a kind of emptiness at the center of life ... nothing to form your life on, or by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/there-s-a-kind-of-emptiness-at-the-center-of-life-nothing-to-form/) [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) > [You must find your own quiet center of life, and write from that to the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-orne-jewett/you-must-find-your-own-quiet-center-of-life-and-write-from-that-to/) [Sarah Orne Jewett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-orne-jewett/) > [Family is the center of life. It is the key to eternal happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/family-is-the-center-of-life-it-is-the-key-to-eternal-happiness/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) ## More by Norman Cousins > [The poet reminds men of their uniqueness and it is not necessary to possess the ultimate definition of this uniqueness. Even to speculate is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-poet-reminds-men-of-their-uniqueness-and-it-is-not-necessary-to/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Unobstructed access to facts can produce unlimited good only if it is matched by the desire and ability to find out what they mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/unobstructed-access-to-facts-can-produce-unlimited-good-only-if-it-is/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [What was significant about the laughter . . . was not just the fact that it provides internal exercise for a person . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/what-was-significant-about-the-laughter-was-not-just-the-fact-that-it/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [You are younger today than you will ever be again. Make use of it for the sake of tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/you-are-younger-today-than-you-will-ever-be-again-make-use-of-it-for/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [On the quality of life: #1. Realize that each human being has a built-in capacity for recuperation and repair. #2. Recognize that the quality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/on-the-quality-of-life-1-realize-that-each-human-being-has-a-built-in/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [What a man really says when he says that someone else can be persuaded by force, is that he himself is incapable of more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/what-a-man-really-says-when-he-says-that-someone-else-can-be/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The starting point for a better world is the belief that it is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-starting-point-for-a-better-world-is-the-belief-that-it-is/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The physician knows that his little black bag can carry him only so far and that the body's own healing system is the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-physician-knows-that-his-little-black-bag-can-carry-him-only-so/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [We are wide-eyed in contemplating the possibility that life may exist elsewhere in the universe, but we wear blinders when contemplating the possibilities of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/we-are-wide-eyed-in-contemplating-the-possibility-that-life-may-exist/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The essence of man is imperfection. Failure is simply a price we pay to achieve success. If we learn to embrace that new definition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-essence-of-man-is-imperfection-failure-is-simply-a-price-we-pay/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [My reason nourishes my faith and my faith my reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/my-reason-nourishes-my-faith-and-my-faith-my-reason/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The growth of the human mind is still high adventure, in many ways the highest adventure on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-growth-of-the-human-mind-is-still-high-adventure-in-many-ways-the/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Death is not the enemy; living in constant fear of it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/death-is-not-the-enemy-living-in-constant-fear-of-it-is/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [All this sensory input, which begins in the brain, has its effect throughout the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/all-this-sensory-input-which-begins-in-the-brain-has-its-effect/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Humanity today is not safe in the presence of humanity. The old cannibalism has given way to anonymous action in which the killer and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/humanity-today-is-not-safe-in-the-presence-of-humanity-the-old/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) [Explore all 162 Norman Cousins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The control center of your life is your attitude.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Norman Cousins" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your-attitude/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your-attitude/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/norman-cousins-2488_attitude_the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your_1501009.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/norman-cousins-2488_attitude_the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your_1501009.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/norman-cousins-2488_attitude_the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your_1501009.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The control center of your life is your attitude.” — Norman Cousins", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Norman Cousins", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The control center of your life...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your-attitude/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-control-center-of-your-life-is-your-attitude/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```