Habit #1

Be Proactive

Proactive vs. Reactive

Proactive People• Make choices based on

values.• Think before they act.• Know they can’t control

what happens to them, but they can control their response to it.

Reactive People• Make choice based on

impulse.• Do not think before they

act.• Blame others when bad

things happen, and have a victim mentality.

Proactive Language

• I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.• I’ll get right on that.• I’m really not interested, but thank you.• I’m sure we can think of a third

alternative.• I can.

Reactive Language

• It’s your fault.• If only…• I just can’t decide.• That’s not fair.• That’s just the way I am.

More Language…

Reactive• I’ll try.• That’s just the way I am.• There’s nothing I can do.• I have to.• I can’t• You ruined my day.

Proactive• I’ll do it.• I can do better than that.• Let’s look at all our options.• I choose to.• There’s got to be a way.• I’m not going to let your bad

mood rub off on me.

Avoid the Victimitis Virus

Reactive people can suffer from a contagious

virus called “victimitis.” People infected with this disease believe that everyone has it in for them and that the world owes them something. Instead of recognizing that their attitude is the problem, they are easily offended, blame others, get angry, whine, complain, and wait for good things to happen to them.

Proactive People…

• Are not easily offended• Take responsibility for

their choices• Think before they act• Bounce back when

something bad happens to them.

• Always find a way to make it happen

• Focus on things they can do something about, and don’t worry about things they can’t.

Live life on purpose, not by accident!