Being proactive means taking charge of your life, instead of sitting around waiting for stuff to happen to you before you react to it.
It’s about looking for ways to improve your environment and believing that you have the power to make those changes.
This mind-set comes from within, fuelled by your own motivation and drive (Bateman & Crant, 1993).
Why Being Proactive Matters
Being proactive can lead to greater success both at work and in your personal life.
People who are proactive tend to achieve their goals more often because they actively look for ways to meet their needs.
This success feels good, and that positive feeling encourages even more proactive behaviour.
Over time, this creates a cycle where taking action becomes second nature, leading to more confidence and personal growth (Fuller & Marler, 2009).
Proactive people often feel more independent, energetic, and capable of shaping their own futures.
Their mind-set and proactive actions reinforce each other, making it easier to stay motivated and confident (Cangiano & Parker, 2015).
What Makes Someone Proactive?
While proactive behaviour leads to more success, certain personality traits also make it easier to be proactive.
For example:
- Outgoing and curious people are often more proactive because they enjoy exploring new ideas and experiences.
- Conscientious individuals tend to plan ahead and take responsibility for their actions.
- People with low levels of anxiety (less neurotic) are more likely to take risks and try new things (Fuller & Marler, 2009; Wanberg & Kammeyer-Mueller, 2000).
Additionally, those who seek feedback, learn from experiences, and build strong connections with others tend to be more proactive.
These actions create a positive cycle: being proactive helps you grow, and growth makes you even more proactive (Wanberg & Kammeyer-Mueller, 2000).
3 Tips to Help You Be More Proactive
If you’re wondering how to be more proactive, here are three practical tips to get you started:
1. Plan Ahead
Planning is a powerful tool for becoming proactive.
People who plan their careers, for example, are more likely to take steps that move them closer to their goals. You can start by:
- Researching potential career paths.
- Scheduling informational interviews with professionals in your field.
- Using goal-setting apps or planners to map out your future (Presbitero, 2015).
When you plan ahead, you’re not just reacting to life’s events—you’re shaping your own path.
2. Change Your Mind-set
Being proactive often starts with how you think about yourself and your environment.
Try seeing yourself as a leader in all areas of your life at home, at work, and in your community. Ask yourself:
- “What would a leader do in this situation?”
- “How can I take responsibility for improving this project or environment?”
Reflect on your values, too.
Knowing what matters most to you can inspire proactive actions that align with your personal goals (do Nascimento et al., 2018).
3. Develop a Critical Eye
Look at your surroundings with a fresh perspective. Imagine you want the very best for your space, project, or situation. Ask yourself:
- “What can I improve here?”
- “What small changes would make a big difference?”
For example, you might notice a messy workspace that needs organizing or a project that could benefit from clearer communication.
Taking action, even in small ways, helps build the habit of proactivity (Lebel & Patil, 2018).
Staying Motivated
Yes, being proactive requires a bit of effort.
But the more you practice it, the more natural it becomes.
Proactive people often feel deeply connected to their goals and values, which keeps them motivated even when the challenges crop up.
Plus, seeing the positive results of your actions can be really rewarding.
Take That First Step
Because you’re reading this, I’m assuming you may want to be more proactive.
Start with something you’re passionate about.
Whether it’s to improve your relationships, excel in your career, or finding time for a favourite hobby.
Just ask yourself:
- What can I change?
- What am I overlooking that I have the power to improve?
- Where can I make the biggest impact?
Your efforts to be more proactive won’t just benefit you they’ll inspire and uplift the people around you.
So take that first step today and watch how your actions create positive changes in your life.
References
- Bateman, T. S., & Crant, J. M. (1993). The proactive component of organizational behavior: A measure and correlates. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 14(2), 103-118.
- Cangiano, F., & Parker, S. K. (2015). Proactivity for mental health and well-being. The Wiley Blackwell handbook of the psychology of occupational safety and workplace health, 228-250.
- do Nascimento, T. T., Porto, J. B., & Kwantes, C. T. (2018). Transformational leadership and follower proactivity in a volunteer workforce. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 28(4), 565-576.
- Fuller, B., & Marler, L. E. (2009). Change driven by nature: A meta-analytic review of the proactive personality literature. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75, 329–345.
- Lebel, R. D., & Patil, S. V. (2018). Proactivity despite discouraging supervisors: The powerful role of prosocial motivation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 103(7), 724.
- Presbitero, A. (2015). Proactivity in career development of employees: The roles of proactive personality and cognitive complexity. Career Development International.
- Wanberg, C. R., & Kammeyer-Mueller, J. D. (2000). Predictors and outcomes of proactivity in the socialization process. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(3), 373.
