Proactivity: first tip on How To Be Highly Effective:

Introduction

Proactivity is the topic for this blog post. My last post was an introduction to the powerful book: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, (👈 Affiliate link).

So far, Reading this book has given me better insight into myself and how to plan my working life in an efficient way. I was expecting a list of tricks and tips. However, 7HHEP is more than a list. It makes you think and guides you on what is and how to master the art of self-awareness which is the bedrock of proactivity.

Quick links

1. What is self-awareness?
2. What is proactivity?
3. Reactive VS Proactive People
4. Circle of Concern VS Circle of Influence
5. Learning Point on Proactivity

What is Self-awareness?

Imagine you are having a heated argument with a work colleague or your spouse. During the argument, you totally lost it, used all types of swear words and became the verbal executioner. At the end of this episode, you had a feeling of complete satisfaction and victory.

There are a few ways to get self-aware in this situation:

1. During the argument: Try to be fly on the wall and watch yourself as if you are a spectator. Will you be proud? Will you applaud yourself?
2. After the argument: you watch a video recording of the whole episode. Will you be proud? Will you applaud yourself?

I promise you, carrying out the above exercise, once or twice, will send you your self-awareness journey🤐.

What is Proactivity?

• In Layman’s term: Proactivity is preparation before the activity; simple!

• Dictionary definition: acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes
• 7HHEP defines Proactivity as taking responsibility for your own life. Responsibility means Response-ability; The ability to choose your response. Highly proactive people do not blame conditions or circumstances for their behaviour. Their behaviour is based on values, not feelings. Reacting based on feelings make one reactive.

Reactive VS Proactive People

• Reactive people are affected by their physical and social environment. If the weather is good, the reactive person is good. If it’s bad, it shows in their performance and behaviour.

• The reactive person becomes defensive and protective if they feel poorly treated. The behaviour of others shapes the emotional life of the reactive person.

• On the other hand, the proactive person responds based on choice and the value attached to a particular stimulus. The stimuli may be physical, social or psychological.

• Reactive people blame others or circumstances for their situation taking the responsibility away from themselves. This is obvious in their Language. “If only my spouse was patient”: someone is limiting their behaviour. “I have to do this”: I am forced to do it and not free to choose.

Circle of Concern VS Circle of Influence

Circle Of Concern:

We have areas inside or outside of our lives that concern us. Health, work, sustainability, global warming, our families and so on. For some of these issues, we may have no control over and these stay in the circle of concern. The reactive person focuses their efforts on this circle. This means they put energy into what they cannot change.

Circle of Influence:

There are some issues that we can do something about. These stay within our circle of influence. Proactive people focus their efforts on this circle. They put effort into what they can change and therefore are proactive. Within the circle of Influence, Proactive people are able to:

• make and keep commitments/promises/goals
• become conscious of areas of weakness, improvement, talent that can be developed and areas that need removing
• build the strength of character

Learning Points on Proactivity

• Be Proactive by focusing your efforts on issues that you can change.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links within this post. I may get a small commission should you use this link to make a purchase. The commission is at no cost to you. Thanks