Reactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern–things over which they have little or no control. They work on the things they can do something about. Proactive people focus their efforts on their Circle of Influence. Personal leadership is the process of keeping your vision and values before you and. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.
Reactive people believe they are not responsible for what they say and do–they have no choice. Highly proactive people don’t blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. A reactive person uses reactive language–I can’t, I have to, if only. A proactive person uses proactive language–I can, I will, I prefer, etc. Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, continues to be a best seller for the simple reason that it ignores trends and pop psychology and focuses on timeless principles of fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. Your language is a good indicator of how you see yourself. One of the most important things you choose is what you say. They find external sources to blame for their behavior.īetween the stimulus and the response is your greatest power–you have the freedom to choose your response. Reactive people, on the other hand, are often affected by their physical environment. Principles of Personal Management Be Proactive Excerpts from Stephen Covey: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. Proactive people recognize that they are “response-able.” They don’t blame genetics, circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Covey attaches the greatest importance to how we react to what is happening with us. Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for your life. The author of the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People adheres to a clear and familiar to a western person principle of proactivity: a person always has the freedom of choice, he is responsible for his life.