How To Be Proactive Instead of Reactive?

To understand how to be proactive, one must first understand what proactive really means. Becoming proactive means becoming an emotion scientist who possesses critical thinking, patience, self-awareness, and awareness of other people’s feelings. They analyze the situation objectively and respond to them wisely, which helps them inform lasting relationships, be it in the workplace or at home.

On the other hand, reactive people respond to situations impulsively without considering the consequences of their reactions/responses. Therefore, they often find it challenging to form healthy relationships.

Hence, it is pertinent to look for ways to become proactive. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

1. When You’re in a Challenging Situation, Think About How Your Ideal Self Would React

We all wish to improve ourselves and become the best version of ourselves. The ideal self is the best version you want to become. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the characteristics of your ideal self.

Steps to do so:

• Think about how you want yourself to be perceived by the world you inhabit. How would you like people to remember you? As soft-spoken, lively, cheerful, understanding, interactive, rude, careless, etc. Choose your characteristics for yourself. 
• Think about how you want to be perceived by your loved ones?
• Think about how you want to be perceived by your colleagues and other people in your workplace?

Once you have listed these characteristics, you can quickly remind yourself to act as your ideal self would in any challenging situation. All you need is a list of words and a solid ideal image of yourself.

2. When You’re Pressured/Confused, Ask For Some Time

We all have times when we think we need to perform a task, even when we are unsure. It could happen anywhere; we are pressured to attend events we don’t feel like attending because of family pressure or other tasks at the workplace that we don’t feel like doing.

In such cases, the best you can do is ask for time. Instead of directly accepting/declining the offer placed in front of you, ask the invitee some time to think. Just say, "I need some time to reflect on the proposal." OR "I need a moment to come to a conclusion." OR "I need to check my calendar."

Responding in such a manner would allow you some space to think about your most appropriate response without feeling pressured. Besides, this would give an impression that you are in control of your life and know how to utilize your time best.

3. When You’re Angry/Frustrated, Take a 20 Minutes Break

According to researchers, it takes 20 minutes to cool down physiologically after an angry encounter. So, when you feel triggered by your loved ones or co-workers, it is ideal to take a 20-minute cool-down time before reacting in a way that you would regret later.

How to utilize those 20 minutes?

• DO NOT think about what triggered you.
• Distract your mind by doing something you enjoy doing – watch a TV show, go out for a walk, listen to something, etc.
• Change the environment, preferably away from anything that could rouse another trigger.

Once you have taken your 20-25 minutes break, address the issue at hand and try to come to a conclusion by discussing it wisely. Try to reason why the other person said something that triggered you and ask them to avoid such language or phrases. As said, healthy communication is the key to solving all the issues. Use it as much as you can.

4. When You’re Surrounded by Complex Options, Take the Objective View

Have you seen the world from an aerial view? It is like viewing the world from a bird's eye - clear, complete, yet cursory. So, when you use this vision during difficult situations in your life, you can make objective decisions.

When you are immersed in the situation, you cannot get a clear view of all the aspects of the situation. Therefore, it is said to take an objective, critical view of the problems that you encounter on the journey of life.

Tips to follow:

• Seek advice from a loved one as they will be able to help you out with an objective view.
• Try to divide the situation into parts and analyze these separate parts taking the necessary time. 
• Write down your observations/analysis/conclusions to give a concrete structure to your ideas.

5. When You Feel Disoriented, Remind Yourself of Your Goals/Aspirations

Easier said than done? You can do it easily if you have your WHYs, HOWs, and WHATs clear in your head. Simen Sinek’s Golden Circle is a beautiful place to start building yourself or your brand/company.

You need to find the answers to your WHYs, HOWs, and WHATs, and you are ready to achieve your goals. Whenever you feel distracted, remind yourself why you are doing what you intend to do.

Tips to follow:

• Write your ideas, goals, and aspirations in a journal. 
• Before reacting to a situation, think about its effects on your goals. 
• Channelize your energy towards the fulfillment of your dreams.

Now you have 5 easy ways to become proactive and leave the reactive version of yourself behind. We hope you form better relationships with yourself and the people around you, following these tips and tricks.