I think the word "control" is inappropriate. "Influence" would be more accurate.
A pedestrian can not "control" a car by jumping in front of it; he can "influence" its driver's control. Of course, the direction that that influence takes is not necessarily predictable.
I can "influence'"what you're thinking just by suggesting the word "influence" instead of "control" - but you might be thinking, "He's right! That's what I meant," or you might be thinking, "He's an idiot in every other thread, so I'll disregard what he says in this one."
Right. The mind is not like a simple machine. It cannot simply be turned left or right, it is far more complex than that.