We explain what it means to be proactive, its advantages and tips to be more proactive. Also, how reactive and proactive people are.
What does it mean to be proactive?
When we talk about proactivity, or say that someone is proactive, we are referring to a type of anticipatory behavior, which does not require an external stimulus to initiate an action or undertake a change. Proactive behavior is the opposite of reactive behavior, which is limited to reacting to a stimulus coming from outside.
Proactive people are those who propose, undertake and anticipate, that is, they have an active stance towards things and situations. A proactive person does not need to wait to be given instructions, but instead proposes and proposes courses of action. In other words, A proactive attitude is one that has the initiative and that she is ready to undertake change or action.
This meaning is inscribed in the very origin of the word, which goes back to Latin and the union of the voices pro- (“before” or “forward”) and agere (“perform”, “act”). Thus, proactivity could be defined as the ability to act ahead of time, the propensity to do things before they become necessary.
For example, when faced with a problem in the production chain, a reactive worker will stop and wait for the bosses to decide what to do, while a proactive worker will look at what things are in their hands to solve the problem or at least minimize its consequences. negative.
In general, proactive attitudes are highly valued in the workplace and are considered a virtue desirable in people. This is because a proactive person will be more likely to actively deal with problems that arise, that is, to find a solution and make independent decisions, than a passive person who will simply wait for instructions.
However, it is important to highlight that no one is 100% proactive in all dimensions of life, but rather one can be proactive in some contexts and not in others.
Proactive and reactive people
As we said before, the fundamental difference between a proactive person and a reactive person is defined based on their attitude towards things: a proactive person has the initiative, takes action, while a reactive person operates based on reactions: requires of an external stimulus to be able to act.
This, in turn, may involve certain personality factors, such as:
- Proactive people tend to be more spontaneous and outgoing while the reactive ones take refuge in passivity, introversion and often hostility.
- Proactive people They inspire others and can occupy leadership positions with ease, since they are capable of making decisions in the moment. Reactive people, on the other hand, feel more comfortable following a leader.
- Proactive people, however, tend to improvise and make quick decisions while reactive people tend to ruminate on decisions, often postpone them, and ultimately let things happen by themselves or let someone else make the decision.
Advantages of being proactive
Proactivity tends to be a more pleasant position with greater rewards in various areas than reactivity. This is because:
- allows us make critical decisions and prevent situations that could put us between a rock and a hard place.
- It predisposes us to practical learning since by doing things, even if we make mistakes, we learn more and faster than simply waiting for someone to tell us what to do.
- Improve our time management moving away from procrastination and rumination of decisions.
- It makes others value or at least notice our effort.
Tips to be more proactive
Is it possible to educate ourselves to have a more proactive attitude towards things? Without a doubt, but this requires a change in the traditional way of thinking. To do this, it is advisable to pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Think about solutions, not about culprits. Reactive people tend to get stuck in attributing responsibilities, and take refuge in passivity. Proactivity, on the other hand, gives priority to solving problems and leaves punishment and rewards for later.
- Be honest with yourself. Contrary to popular belief, procrastination is not a matter of time management, but of emotions: we distract ourselves as a way to interrupt an activity that causes us discomfort. In that sense, it is preferable to be honest about what we feel and face the things that have to be done with the spirit of commitment necessary to do it quickly and well, and not delay it and do it reluctantly.
- Try to be pragmatic. Proactivity works best with what is useful, immediate and strategic, so it is better to leave theorizing and reflections for later, when decisions do not have to be made in the heat of the moment. When deciding, try to keep your feet on the ground.
- Get rid of the law of least effort. If you invest the least you can give into a task, the task will progress slowly and you will never see its results. On the other hand, a greater range of commitment will make you move forward at a better pace and will allow you to prevent future problems that, if you had given as little as possible, you would not have been able to anticipate.
Continue with: Vocation
References
- “Proactivity” on Wikipedia.
- “Proactive, va” in the Language Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Radication of the word Proactive” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
- “What is proactivity and how to encourage it” (video) in Más y Mejor.
