When we're not proactive
When I've been coaching people in productivity, one of the most common aspirations I hear is "I want to be more proactive and less reactive". It's a noble ideal, but also a misunderstood one.
Of course, being proactive, and having a sense of deliberate control over what we do, is powerful. And of course, it far outweighs being stuck on the 'busy treadmill', reacting to whatsapps and slacks and emails and ideas.
The problem is that you can't just choose. Because proactive isn't free.
Reactive is free: sit back and let the world come at you. Pick the stuff that shouts loudest in front of your face. Rinse and repeat. Let the ensuing panic drive a messy version of stressed-out, sub-optimal productivity. In theory, you even have an extra hour or two in your week to be on that busy treadmill, because reactive negates the need for much planning and thinking. Just put the coffee on and strap in. What could be easier?!
Proactive, on the other hand, requires steps before you get to the starting line. You need a clear sense of your priorities and an even clearer list of your projects and actions. It takes time to do the heavy thinking and have the important conversations that set the right priorities. It takes time to clarify and manage your list of projects and to sketch out the next physical actions you need to take on each thing. And it takes time to trust that your 'second brain' can be relied upon as a complete list of everything you're working on, so that it guides you somewhere better than the most recent five emails in your inbox.
Once you get to this point of proactive, you're now at the starting line. It was hard work just getting here. But now being proactive takes on a whole new meaning. It means saying no to all the stuff that the reactive version of you would say yes to (which suddenly feels so much easier than before!) and using the clear thinking space to be on the front foot, noticing the stuff that's coming down the track that will alter your priorities or add useful traction to your projects.
When people make 'be more proactive and less reactive' their new years' resolution, they jump straight to deciding an outcome. It's like saying "I've decided I'm now rich" or "We've decided to be better than our competitors". The mindset of being proactive is often seen as a pure benefit, but really it's the necessary cost of being optimal or productive. It takes time, energy, space, quality thinking to stay ahead. When you do though, of course, it's brilliant, exciting and worthwhile.
If you're like me, then chances are some areas of your life feel like they're on the front foot, and other areas are taking a back seat - either deliberately or accidentally. Being proactive is as much about recognising these ebbs and flows, so that you can correct course, before the reactive turns into neglect.
So give yourself permission this week.
Permission to create the space for the quality thinking that leads to wonderful, proactive results.
Permission to prioritise what most needs driving right now, and renegotiate what you'd committed to that doesn't quite fit anymore.
Permission to have an off-day with all of this.
Permission to get back on track.