Habits-4U2: #1 Proactive for a Bright Life 🌞
- Nick (AI assisted)
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." – Benjamin Franklin
Being proactive means taking charge of your choices and creating a life that matches your values. Stephen Covey calls “Be Proactive” the first habit in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This habit is the foundation for all the others, helping you shape your bright future.
What It Means to Be Proactive
Being proactive means you’re not just reacting to things around you. Instead, you make decisions based on your values, not just your emotions or what’s happening around you. It’s about owning your responses to challenges, setbacks, and opportunities. For example, if someone cuts you off in traffic, instead of getting angry, you can choose to stay calm and let it go.
Proactivity in Practice
When something tough happens, you have a choice: accept it or take action. For example, in 2011, I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I could have just accepted it, but instead, I changed my diet, started exercising more, and tracked my progress. It’s been hard, but it’s worth it to prevent diabetes.
Practical Steps to Be Proactive
Shift from Reactive to Proactive Thinking
Reactive: “I can’t help it; this is just how things are.”
Proactive: “I can choose a different path forward.”
Atomic Habits by James Clear talks about focusing on systems. Techniques for creating habits that match your goals is a big part of being proactive.
Focus on the Circle of Influence
Think about what you can control (your circle of influence) and what you can’t.
Action Item: Make a list (or use the following) of things you can control and take one small, proactive step today.
Influence (Things You Can Control) | Concern (Things You Can’t Control) |
Your diet and nutrition choices | The weather |
Your exercise routine | Other people's opinions |
How much sleep you get | Traffic conditions |
Your stress management techniques | Natural disasters |
Your daily habits and routines | Economic downturns |
Your attitude and mindset | Genetic predispositions |
Focusing on what you can control helps you take proactive steps towards better health and well-being. Let me know if you need more examples!
Practice Emotional Resilience
Remember, no one can “make” you feel a certain way—your response is your responsibility.
Action Creates Motivation: Taking action, even small steps, can build the motivation you need to keep going.
In our wellness courses, we talk about how to identify, plan for, and manage triggers. When something triggers you, pause, think, and respond intentionally. This is mindfulness in action. What you do in the moment effects future results.
Helen Keller – Her Vision
A powerful example of being proactive is Helen Keller. Despite losing her sight and hearing at a young age, Helen didn't let her circumstances define her. With the help of her dedicated teacher, Anne Sullivan, she learned to communicate through touch and became a renowned author, activist, and lecturer. Helen Keller's proactive approach to overcoming her challenges shows how taking control of your responses and seeking solutions can lead to incredible personal growth and impact. Her story inspires us to take proactive steps in our own lives, no matter the obstacles we face.
Connection to Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
After choosing to be proactive, the next step is to define your goals. What’s the big picture for your life and wellness? In the next blog, we’ll talk about how setting clear goals and visualizing success can help you live with purpose.
Habits 1 + 2 = Habit 3: Put First Things First
It’s good to know how the Habits will build on each other. Proactivity and purpose lead to prioritization. Habit 3 helps you align your daily actions with what really matters, turning your intentions into impactful actions.
How This Habit Improves Your Wellbeing
Practicing proactivity is a game-changer for your well-being. By focusing on what you can control, you reduce stress and feel more empowered to handle life’s challenges. This habit helps you shift from reacting to situations to intentionally shaping your path, creating a sense of purpose and stability. Proactivity builds confidence, showing you that small, deliberate actions can lead to big improvements in your life. It’s the first step toward building a bright life 🌞.
Closing Call to Action
Proactivity starts with reflection. Where can you take more ownership of your choices and responses?
Journal Prompt: “What’s one area of my life where I can take more ownership of my choices and responses? What’s the first step?”
Each step you take toward proactive living strengthens your foundation for building a bright life 🌞. Start today!
Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. Free Press
You can get Covey’s books and journals and guides from Amazon.
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