Be proactive, Stay ahead!

What does it mean to be proactive?

A proactive person is one who creates or controls the situation rather than just responding and reacting to something that has already happened. Most people who have highly successful careers are highly proactive. They do not passively respond to the situation. Rather, they are co-creators of the situation. Think about a typical day. Are you the first person to ask questions and put forward your thoughts in a meeting or do you wait till someone asks you? Do you wait till the last moment to submit your college assignments? Do you help a stranger find the correct street? If your answer to the first two questions is yes and the last question is no, you probably need to work on enhancing your proactivity.

How to enhance proactivity?

You can learn to be PROACTIVE by following these 9 things in daily life:

P: Plan

People waste a lot of time when they do not have a daily schedule. Planning your day will give you a template of what your day should look like. You already have a list of things you need to do throughout the day. Hence, you are less likely to sit idle or deciding what you have to do. Always plan your day in advance so that you know what to do and when to do it.

R: Rest

While it is important to plan so that you do not waste your precious time, it is also important to not overwork. According to a 2019 report, 77% of Americans overwork. If you overwork for too many days in a row, you are likely to experience burnout. Hence, when you make your weekly plan, it is important to allow time for rest and play. You can allot one day in a week to rest. In addition, you need to plan ample rest in between your workdays. A study on attention found that on average, adults can work with focus for a period of 20 minutes. Hence, consider taking a 5-minute break after 20 minutes of intense cognitive work.

O: Openness

In order to be proactive, you need to have an open mind. Listen to what other people are saying. Do not refrain from taking ideas and feedback from other people. In addition, learn to delegate work. Proactive people do not take up more work than they can perform. This is a golden rule to prevent burnout and continue being proactive. Also, be open to having new experiences in life. Go for that long due trip to the mountains. Try out new cuisine. It will help you maintain a positive outlook on life.

A: Action

Taking action is the key to being proactive. Most people wait for circumstances to push them to action. However, those who are highly successful, do not react to situations. Instead, they foresee the change and act well in advance. This gives them a competitive edge over others as they are already prepared for the situation.

You may say that not everyone can foresee an impending change and you are right. This is also what distinguishes a proactive person from a reactive person. In order to be proactive, you need to develop your observation skills to the extent that you are able to foresee most problems. You can do so by keeping yourself up to date with the on-goings of your workplace and industry. Consider doing the following activity:

Think about what would happen in your workplace:

1. 5 days later
2. 5 weeks later
3. 5 months later
4. 5 years later

This will help you enhance your cognitive ability to foresee possible future events in your life.

In the social front, you may work on developing your emotional intelligence so that you can apprehend a relationship conflict. Please check out our previous article on emotional intelligence.

C: Curiosity

A curious person is one who actively seeks information about matters that are important to him or her. Such people are proactive by their very nature. Never be afraid to ask a question. Browse the internet to find out about matters that intrigue you. Read the news every day. Keep the learning spirit alive.

T: Teamwork

You may have a variety of skill sets that enable you to perform a wide range of activities. However, taking up more than you can perform is likely to leave you drained at the end of the day. Hence, overworking is not good for you in the long run. You need to be a good team worker if you wish to be proactive. You can take initiatives and plan actions. However, do not think that you can do all the work by yourself. Delegating work to your team and trusting them is very crucial for being proactive.

I: Identity:

In order to be proactive, you need to have a goal. A sense of belongingness with a team or group will give you an identity that is crucial for you to keep going in life. It will give you multiple goals and opportunities to serve others as well as take action on behalf of the group. Being an active member of any social group is likely to make you proactive by giving you direction and purpose in life.

V: Volunteer

Volunteer for a cause you believe in. This will reinforce your intrinsic motivation which implies that you do not rely on external rewards for satisfaction in life. In addition, it will also give you a sense of purpose in life which is crucial for being proactive.

E: Exercise

Physical exercise is good for improving almost all positive skills in life. Grab your running shoes and take a tour of your neighborhood. Play any sport you enjoy. If you are not an outdoor person, practice yoga and meditation at home. Exercise will definitely grant you that extra push you need to get going and being proactive in life.

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