Being proactive is about more than taking initiative and planning ahead.
It’s about accepting responsibility for our own behavior (past, present, and future) and making choices based on principles and values rather than on moods or circumstances.
Proactive people are agents of change and choose NOT to be victims, NOT to be reactive, and NOT to blame others. Instead, they choose to take responsibility and become the creative force in their own lives, which is the most fundamental decision anyone ever makes.
The opposite of proactiveness is reactiveness…
Reactive people say, “It’s your fault, not mine!”
Reactive people love the “woe is me” mentality, and tend to blame everyone but themselves in problematic situations. They place responsibility for what is happening on circumstances or on other people, but not on themselves.
Proactive people say, “I will take responsibility.”
This is the language of LEADERSHIP. Proactive people seek creative solutions and alternatives to unfortunate circumstances, and most importantly, they take responsibility over everything under their control.
Actionable insights
Here are a couple of ways in which you can put this first habit into action:
1. Stop waiting for the things you want to happen to you… Take the initiative to make them happen yourself. Growth and opportunity are there for you if you act rather than wait to be acted upon.
2. Learn to be proactive by paying close attention to your language. Learn to use proactive language, and it’ll help you change your mindset and ultimately your behaviors.
Live, in-person training: Want Dean Bokhari to train your group on The 7 Habits? Email hi@deanbokhari.com (write “live training” in the subject for a prompt response)
