Page 25 - 3.2

JIMINY SELF-HELP HANDBOOK 25

Proactivity can also help us to continue our goal-achievement journey, and only depends of ourselves.
Having a proactive behaviour involves acting in advance of a future situation, rather than just reacting.

REACTIVE

PROACTIVE

In life, the price of lacking initiative can jeopardize our dreams. Those who achieve great results in life
are proactive regardless of the situations they find themselves in. They always get back on track even
if get lost, find obstacles or face tough challenges.
How often we ask to ourselves if we are a proactive person? There is a simple way to understand
proactive behaviour in its five levels:

1. Inactive - at this level, something is needed from us and nothing is done. For whatever reason, we
decide to take no action. Maybe we may think the request or problem will go away by itself, or not
2. Reactive - at this level, something is needed, and we respond. The only problem is if we are
constantly in fire-fighting mode, we are, at least, a step behind. After sometime, according to the
needs speed and expectations increases, we might be unable to catch up, since you are behind.
People that are constantly waiting for us, frustrated and impatient might decide to look in other
directions for what they need
3. Active - being in this level, we are giving to people what they want and need, in real-time, meeting
expectations. One problem is that when we are just keeping pace, we are not getting ahead. At
this level, there is no time or space for growth. And in an ever-changing world, if we are standing
still, we are falling behind
4. Proactive - at this level, we are setting the pace and staying a step ahead. We are not just meeting
expectations, we are exceeding them. Anticipating own and other’s needs and expectations doing
our work, putting ourselves in the shoes of others, fostering an environment of growth and
development for ourselves and others, and taking control of our destiny