Lets use the example of having an external locus of control to illustrate the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination.
1. Ignorance (avijja): The person lacks understanding of the true nature of reality and the power of their own mind to shape their experiences.
2. Mental formations (sankhara): Due to ignorance, the person has formed habits of attributing their experiences to external factors outside of their control.
3. Consciousness (viññana): The persons consciousness is conditioned by these mental formations, and they perceive the world around them as being governed by external forces.
4. Name and form (nama-rupa): The persons body and mind (psychophysical constituents) manifest in a way that reinforces their externalized view of the world.
5. The six sense bases (salayatana): The persons sense organs (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mind) interact with the external world in such a way that reinforces their belief in external control.
6. Contact (phassa): The person encounters situations that reinforce their externalized view, such as experiencing good or bad luck.
7. Feeling (vedana): The person experiences emotions that reinforce their belief in external control, such as feeling helpless or empowered based on their perceived luck.
8. Craving (tanha): The person develops desires for external outcomes that they believe will bring them happiness or success.
9. Clinging (upadana): The persons attachment to external outcomes intensifies, causing them to cling to external factors rather than taking responsibility for their own actions and decisions.
10. Becoming (bhava): This clinging to external outcomes reinforces the persons habitual patterns of thinking and action, leading to new karmic tendencies that reinforce their externalized view.
11. Birth (jati): The person is born into a cycle of seeking external validation and control, leading to further suffering and a lack of agency.
12. Old age and death (jara-marana): The persons externalized way of thinking, when left unaddressed, can lead to emotional and mental suffering, as well as perpetuate negative consequences in future situations or even future lives.
By recognizing the interdependence of the Twelve Nidanas, a person can cultivate introspection and take responsibility for their experiences, freeing themselves from the cycle of externalized thinking and suffering. This can lead to greater happiness, success, and fulfillment in life.

How to break cycle at each point:

To break the cycle of externalized thinking and suffering within the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination, here are some possible ways to work with each step:

1. Ignorance (avijja): Develop an understanding of the nature of reality and the power of the mind to shape experiences. Educate oneself about how external factors and internal factors work together to shape ones experiences.

2. Mental formations (sankhara): Change habitual patterns of thought by examining ones beliefs about the causes of success and failure. Take responsibility for the ways one contributes to their own experiences rather than blaming external factors.

3. Consciousness (viññana): Cultivate awareness of how consciousness is conditioned by mental formations and how it shapes perceptions of the world. Practice mindfulness meditation to develop awareness of the present moment without interpretation or judgment.

4. Name and form (nama-rupa): Embrace the psychophysical constituents that make one who they are and recognize the various ways the body and mind co-create experiences in the world. Build self-confidence and take ownership of personal strengths and abilities.

5. The six sense bases (salayatana): Develop an awareness of how the senses interact with the external world (and ones internal world) and how they shape perceptions. Practice discernment in how one takes in information and how it is affecting ones beliefs.

6. Contact (phassa): Cultivate the ability to observe experiences objectively and without interpretation to gain clarity on what is really happening. Reflect on how the mind is interpreting experiences and learn to challenge unhelpful interpretations.

7. Feeling (vedana): Learn to respond to experiences rather than react to them. Use emotional intelligence tools to cultivate a range of emotional responses and utilize emotions as helpful data points.

8. Craving (tanha): Develop an awareness of craving - what it is, how it arises, and the negative consequences it can have. Work to replace craving with healthy desires and motivations that are aligned with ones values.

9. Clinging (upadana): Cultivate a sense of inner peace and contentment that does not depend on external circumstances. Acknowledge ones personal agency and responsibility towards shaping ones experiences.

10. Becoming (bhava): Create patterns in ones life that support more empowering beliefs and actions. Practice new habits regularly to reinforce positive changes.

11. Birth (jati): Recognize that transformation and growth takes time and persistence. Embrace struggles and failures as opportunities for learning and growth.

12. Old age and death (jara-marana): Cultivate meaning in life beyond external factors. Recognize the impermanence of all things and seek a deeper sense of purpose and belonging beyond the external world.

By breaking the cycle of externalized thinking at each step, one can cultivate a greater sense of empowerment, agency, and peace. Additionally, this can lead to greater happiness, success, and fulfillment by developing a more nuanced understanding of the nature of reality and ones place within it.