The Definitive Guide to Understanding Proactivity and Becoming a Proactive Entrepreneur : Medium

https://betterhumans.coach.me/the-definitive-guide-to-understanding-proactivity-and-becoming-a-proactive-entrepreneur-558ecf3a755d

Let’s start off simple: What does it mean to be proactive? According to Merriam-Webster, it means, “acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes.”

Put differently, being proactive means completing carefully-planned actions to achieve the goals that move the needle most for your business.It means focusing on what’s important, not just what’s urgent.

So what does it take to be proactive? In a word, discipline.

Because in the end, success isn’t the result of circumstance; it’s the result of response to circumstance. And that’s the heart of self-discipline.

Here are the three best things you can do to bolster your self-discipline today.

1. Create a Compelling Reason to Stay Disciplined

When reactive temptations arise, you’ll need a reason to remain disciplined.

You’re much more likely to stay disciplined if you have a compelling reason to do so; a clear and motivating picture of what you’re working towards. That’s where goals come in.

In the face of distraction and temptation, goals are a vital tool to stay proactive, disciplined, and on-track to success.

2. Eliminate Procrastination

For the sake of your productivity, here are five steps to channel self-discipline and beat procrastination. According to Harvard Business Review:

- Vividly imagine how it’ll feel to complete the task you’re putting off,

- Visualize the consequences of failing to complete that task,

- Publicly commit to completing it by a clear deadline,

- Identify the first step to get started, and

- Reward yourself for completing the first step.

Once you’ve taken that first step, the momentum and follow-through often take care of themselves.

3. Just Say No

At any point, there are near-endless demands on your time.

It’s time to take back control of your time, and that starts by saying “No.”

Next time you get a request for your time, ask yourself: “Is this aligned with what I’ve decided to proactively work on this week?” If the answer’s no, your response should probably be no.

Here’s how it works: Instead of saying “I can’t … ” or “I won’t … ”, which are perceived as negative and personal, say, “I don’t …” which is more general and sets a precedent for future requests.

With this approach, you aren’t rejecting the person, you’re rejecting the event. For example:
- I don’t respond to emails after 8:00PM,
- I don’t meet outside of the office, or
- I don’t reply to Slack messages over the weekend.

An added bonus: When you make an “I don’t” statement, you set a rule. As people become familiar with that rule, you’ll face fewer similar demands in the future.

I am very grateful for this article. It is very helpful.

Thank u Patrick Ewers and Medium.

Thank u God.