10 Ways To Move From Reactive To Proactive Mode
Most people are in survival, reactive mode. Most people are made to believe they are in control of their life choices or have the illusion that they are in control of their most precious resource; time and attention.
I am writing this as a reminder of myself. I tend to go reactive some days.
1. Seize the first hour
“Lose an hour in the morning, and you will spend all day looking for it.” ― Richard Whately
The first hour will make or break your day. When you check your email or phone, you react to what the world throws at you.
The 20-20-20 rule by Robin Sharma is a good way to start the day.
2. Have purpose
When I think about purpose, there two quotes come immediately to mind:
“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” ― Viktor Frankl
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” ― Yogi Berra
It is okay if your purpose changes as you learn and grow, but not having a purpose will make you easy prey to distractions.
3. Know who your future self is
“Without a future self, you don’t know who you are today. It doesn’t matter who you are if you don’t know who you plan to be.” ― Benjamin Hardy
Having an idea about who your future self is will help you be focused. And acting from your future self’s perspective will help you put things into context and help you be more focused.
4. Remove resistance
“Most of us have two lives: The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.” ― Steven Pressfield
Resistance urges you to give in to cravings and forget your creative aspirations. You will do the most idiotic things when resistance is present to avoid getting your creativity out.
5. Forcing functions
Sometimes you just need to systemize your life for proactiveness. You can leave your phone in your car before getting home or put it on airplane mode.
Another forcing function is designing the environment to allow for proactiveness—no junk food at home, for example.
6. Journaling about your goals and priorities
Journaling daily can help you become more disciplined. By writing daily, you’re proactively forming a habit that can be applied to the rest of your life.
7. Cold shower
“The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood.” ― Voltaire
Cold showers have been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits. But from experience, cold showers always put me in a good mood.
8. Assess often
A life assessment helps you determine how far off course you are from your goals and objectives.
Things to asses: Relationships & Family, Physical, Business, Financial, spiritual, mental, and lifestyle.
9. Plan your next day
“Never go to sleep without a request to your subconscious.” ― Thomas Edison
Planning the next day will make it easier to start the morning with clear intentions—no decision fatigue.
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