Proactive or Reactive, One Just Takes Longer Than the Other

• The takeaway from this episode is … you have a choice to be proactive or reactive with your life.
• Here’s what this will do for you … you will “consciously” decide to be a proactive or reactive person.
• Here’s what I want you to do with it … spend some time in contemplation to determine where you are right now to decide how you want the rest of your life to go.

Reactive people like to daydream and imagine.

They see themselves as being fabulously fit, extremely good-looking, successful in their career, or wealthy beyond imagination. They imagine never having to worry about money and see themselves in a long-term relationship with their soul mate. This includes taking exotic vacations, drive exquisite cars, and have perfect children. These people imagine living the good life … someday.

Proactive people have a vision for their future and willingly make the sacrifices to get there.

These people see the same things, they just don’t daydream about them. They always went to the gym because it made them feel good, looking good was just a byproduct of that. They work in a vocation they believe in and look forward to it every day. They are involved in healthy relationships – stimulating ones. They learn about new things every day and drive a car that fits their personality. They quit smoking years ago and drink occasionally. They eat healthy and their friends admire them. They are creating a good life.

The difference is that one person dreams about it while the other is living the dream every day.

The reactive person never exercised, ate junk food, drank alcohol excessively, and partied all the time. These people live for instant gratification. Then, one day their doctor tells them, “If you don’t change you will die.” This was the day the reactive person had an epiphany. That’s when they became proactive. They joined the gym, stopped abusing their health with vaping and excessive use of alcohol. They started exercising and eating right. Almost immediately they started feeling better and thinking clearer. People commented on how good they looked.

So, even though the result was the same, one person was reactive to life and the other was proactive. When it comes to these differences one style is not better than the other. It’s just that it will take the reactive person longer to get to their desired destination. It’s all about your attitude toward life. One was forced to improve to save their lives, while the other chose improvement as a way of life.

Most people are reactive, waiting for their life to get better. Hoping to get that great job, to get into shape, to meet the right person, start that dream business, be happy, yet they avoid taking the proactive steps right now to get there.

Proactive people are many times perceived as boring to reactive people.

Ask yourself, “am I waiting for something to happen to change my life, or will I follow my passions to create the life I desire right now? …

1. The proactive person is outnumbered but held up as role models. While the dreamers were busy dreaming the proactive people passed them by.
2. The people who dream their life away waiting for the change they dream of – risk running out of time to become who they could have been.
3. There’s an end to everyone’s physical life, however, the proactive ones feel deep rewards about the meaningful impact they are having on others. The monetary achievements are just a measurement of their value to the world. The reactive ones will eventually get there too but struggle along the way due to their resistance.

So, study your past. If you are doing the same things you did last year, and five years ago, chances are you will be doing the same things next year and five years in the future. The result will be that you will be the same person who is older, but not better.

CALL TO ACTION:

• Be the proactive person today by making “conscious” choices.
• Start this process by writing down what you are becoming conscious of.
• Do not tell anyone how you are progressing as they won’t want you to change.

HOW IT WORKS: Change is inevitable, and you will always be changing with it. The only question is, will you wait to change, or will you embrace it. So, even though both types of people wind up in the same place, one will enjoy the journey while the other will struggle to catch up. People are experiencing huge amounts of change now; the reactive ones feel that change is being forced upon them. Life is not supposed to be a struggle. You came here to use your time wisely, experiencing everything that intrigues you. The by-product of this radical curiosity propels you into the life of your dreams, free of struggle. The more you are true to yourself, enjoying what every present moment has to offer, the easier it will be to be proactive. It’s a matter of trusting the guidance that spontaneously shows up letting you be proactive without the struggle.

You have a choice to be proactive or reactive, here’s an analogy … there’s a door – will you willingly walk through it, or wait to get pushed? … either way you are going through that door, everyone is. ~ Linda Deir

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Being Proactive Vs. Reactive – Small Business

• Reactive Vs Proactive: How To Be Proactive And Not Reactive – LifeHack

• 10 Tips to Change From Reactive to Proactive in Situations – Psychology Today

• Reactive and proactive control in incarcerated and community adolescents and young adults – National Library of Medicine