On Proactivity
The #1 trait the best people in the world share
Your success depends on one important decision you need to make in your life. It’s surprising how this simple decision determines your future trajectory. And it all comes down to this question: Are you proactive or reactive? Let me explain.
Over the years, I have worked with many different individuals on many different projects and have seen different leaders tackle their responsibilities in widely contrasting manners. One trait, however, appeared to be most predictive of the quality of people working together: proactivity.
As Goethe points out, the most difficult thing in the world is moving from a thought in your mind to the execution of it. In this transition to acting, one needs to overcome many obstacles (procrastination, prioritization, motivation, etc.). And this is an inherently difficult hurdle to overcome.
“Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Everyone falls into one of two categories: reactive and proactive. Someone who is reactive (in their job), waits for others to tell them what to do. They may execute those tasks excellently and reliably, but their actions always depend on external input as they react to the things they are told. The other type of person is someone who is proactive. Such a person does not wait for someone to tell them what to do. Rather, they scan the environment they are in, think strategically about the best next thing to do yielding the highest impact, and then get to work. This type of person takes ownership of their own destiny. This type of person holds themselves accountable to the highest standards.
Proactive people are rare. Why? Because it is much harder to be proactive than to be reactive. It’s easier to wait for someone to tell you what to do than to proactively decide on the best things to work on. The latter requires sharp observation, knowledge of the context one is working in, and the power to pursue self-motivated tasks without relying on external pressure. Despite the latter being much harder, I believe anyone can get there. It’s like a skill you can build up over time. It starts with reflection and careful awareness of the fact that one is reactive. Then, you need to start sharpening your view of the context you are in. Namely, you need to understand what’s the end goal and which actions will lead you there the quickest. Finally, you need to have the self-discipline and inner desire to work on those things without relying on anyone to tell you what and how you should the things that matter.
Ultimately it comes down to your personal preference: Do you want to be told what to do? Or do you want to take ownership of your own destiny and create the environment you need to thrive? In either case, knowing which type of person you are is already a great start.
