Incorporate Being Proactive into Daily Life

Often, we go through life on autopilot. When we allow things to happen as they come, we are reactive. The more you focus on staying up-to-date, the more mindful and productive you will be throughout the day. Regardless of your age, we are all mirror images of each other and require important skills that fall under the proactive category.

Proactive

Adjective

(of a person, policy, or action) creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened.

Proactivity or being proactive refers to self-initiated behavior that helps us solve a problem before it occurs. You take this action to resolve future problems, needs, or changes. In my words, you are controlling what's ahead. Thinking ahead and knowing what could happen, but taking action to change the story to how you want it to end.

According to LifeHack, here are 10 habits to build to be more proactive. Later, I will be talking about the 5 I think is most important.

1. Don't be busy

2. Think Long-Term

3. Stop Trying to Run Everyone's Race

4. Instead, Look to Understand Others

5. Make "Essentialism" Your Word This Year

6. Order the Same Latte

7. Don't Pressure Youself to Respond Immediately

8. Put a Pin on It

9. Have an Open Mind

10. Prioritize What's Important

Think Long-Term

Looking at the long game, you are able to think about problems you will be facing down the line and avoid issues at hand. When we think short-term, we are limiting our brain's capacity to temporary thinking.

Your future self, will thank you. This does not mean you need to necessarily take action as soon as possible for something 10 years down the line, but it is good to think, manifest, and build your life in the now heading towards that direction. When the time comes you will be filled with gratitude on what your younger self did.

Stop Trying to Run Everyone's Race

You have to be the narrative of your own life. If you start comparing your path to your family, friends and co-workers; you are never going to feel like you have done enough. Focus on your energy and get rid of the distractions.

To reach your goals you need to be proactive on your own terms. To reach the goals you have for yourself, do not think about what the person next to you is doing. You may bounce ideas and motivate each other but no one has the same work ethic. Do not stress trying to live up to others expectations.

Instead, Look to Understand Others

No human on this earth is the exact same, yet we are all mirror images of each other. Not that you have to get along with everyone you meet, but having an understanding of why you may not get along with certain people, is good to recognize. We tend to demand and expect a lot of each other, instead we should be compassionate and understanding.

We gain important insights of one another when we figure out the challenges, aspirations and frustrations of others. This becomes important to being proactive because we know what to say or not say, to avoid complications.

Have an Open Mind

We tend to be closed minded to people we do not agree with or fit in with. This defense mechanism closes our mind to the widely spread world we live in. Staying open minded creates room to learn new perspectives and ideas.

Everyone has their own story to tell. Personally, I put mine on the internet because I think it is important to share. When you are reading this, my goal is that you are keeping an open mind to something you would have never thought to read. This thought process naturally creates proactivity.

Prioritize What's Important

Last but not least, I will say this again, you are the only one in control of your mind. Practice exercises to train your brain to new and healthy perspectives of life. The only thing that is important is what you prioritize.

It is okay to say no if it does not benefit you. We all want to impress our friends and co-workers, but how do you feel at the end of the day? Depending on the situation, you can salvage and take note of the lessons you have learned. The more you spend your energy towards your goals, the more possibilities expand.

If you have read this far, you are already starting the 5 habits of incorporating the importance of being proactive in daily life. Now sit back and think... what happened in the past that I would change now? Can I make those improvements in the future? We can not change the past but we can alter our future. If you want to be proactive, focus on your path, respect others following theirs, and keep an open mind by understanding them.

Thanks for reading my blog on "Being Proactive in Daily Life". I hope it resonates with you as much as it did with me. Please share your feedback in the comments below.

Photos by Kailynn