Proactive vs. Reactive
We live our lives on the cusp of fate…waiting for someone / something to ruffle our feathers! Yet the opportunity always exists for us to gain an edge and be on top of our game. For this gift we will give up something… the comfort of relaxation.
I’ve lived a great portion of my life waiting for something spontaneous to happen! “Will I get a job today?” “Will I be picked next on the soccer team? Will he choose me to be his wife? While life was passing me by, I realize the consequence of JUST being reactive!
Yesterday, I shared with a friend that I missed watching “Amen” The 1986 sitcom was centered around a church deacon, Deacon Fry (Sherman Hemsley) , his daughter, Thelma (Ana Marie Horsford) and Rev. Gregory (Clifton Davis).
What stood out to me most about the show was Thelma Fry’s undying pursuit and interest in Rev. Gregory. Though he denied her request many, many, many times she did not give up! After many seasons of denial, Rev. Gregory could not deny that Thelma was going to be a strong force in his life — no matter what and her love and pursuit of him would not cease. She was proactive. She GOT what she wanted…no matter how long it took!
In doing a bit of research, I found nearly 70% of the world population is reactive, while 30% of the population is proactive!
Pro-Active vs. Re-Active E-How author Grant McKenzie, defines the action of proactivity as planning ahead and anticipating problems. Whereas, being reactive means waiting for problems to appear before addressing them. She outlined the pros & cons of each.
PROS :”Being proactive can help eliminate problems before they appear and can make execution of your tasks more efficient. Being reactive can simplify the planning process, allowing you to act faster.” CONS: “Being proactive lengthens the planning process and can lead to overplanning as all potential options are analyzed. Being reactive can lead to unforeseen problems in execution that may require extensive time and effort to solve or correct.”
Most experts believe and teach the practice of balancing both worlds, “the importance of being proactive while maintaining a willingness to act. A balance of proper planning and effective execution is required for success.”
I also came across a great article on HubPages that talked about this subject from a biblical perspective. The author discusses his personal life and actions in relation to the change he had to undergo in order to be proactive! It is NOT an easy process! Believe me! He also shared about the extensive lengths God has gone to make sure we get the message! Prophets, Christ, His Word, Messengers (like us!) and spiritual confirmation. Amazing!
At the end of the day, you can’t plan for everything, but if you create a workable plan that gives structure and direction, while also leaving room for life’s surprises …things just might turn out okay!
Are you ready to do what it takes to be proactive (with a reactive backup) …today?
Sherita
The 90/10 Rule: Build Your Character
We have no problem moving through life in our own lane, just as long as we do not have to mesh too long with other people. Yet the blow of reality says, we ARE NOT created alone and our existence relies on the interaction of others.” When we interact with others…they meet our character! If our characters are not in alignment …we part ways until the developmental stages of our character is built on the same playing field!
Have you ever seen a makeover show? Do you remember how vastly different the person looked, acted and walked before the make over? Sure you do! Their character said, “I’m unattractive, unavailable, have low self esteem, and I don’t care.”
Nearly 45 minutes into the show, the person begins to shed the old existence… trading it in for a different look…a different life. The big reveal happens! They are stunningly beautiful, elegant and graceful! In those moments they traded one character for the next!
A friend of mine shared some great insights with me! He lives by the 90/10 rule. Only 10% of what you do counts…90% of what you ARE or WHO you are becoming is more important. So learning how to build your character or understanding what the level of people around you. Thinking about this scenario from a different perspective, Byron Katie talks about the 90/10 rule in reference to the way you respond to life circumstances. “10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.”
How you react severely determines the makeup of your character! Think about this… Who are you really? Do you like that person? Are you willing to change the dynamic of who that person is to take your life to the next level?
“Be A Boss”
Move Beyond You To Be YOU!
What are you willing to risk to become YOU?
- Be You! Burlesque
This weekend I had a chance to see “Burlesque,” with Cher and Christina Aguilera. Needless to say the movie was awesome and sexy. At the same time, the movie spoke volumes about breaking beyond yourself to become yourself and live your purpose. When asked why Christina came from Iowa to New York City she said,
“I didn’t see anyone in that town who’s life I wanted.”
When you arrive to a place in your life where ONLY purpose matters…you will have to leave your current existence behind to create the life you know you are destined to have. You might have to get up and go to a land you are not familiar with! You will be scared! You will be hesitant and apprehensive — but GO! There is a family of people who have what you need to make it to the next level!
Christina saw her dream and pursued it like a lost lover. Pushing past severe roadblocks and LOADS of no’s ….she kept going and became her Destiny! Some may believe that this is just a movie meant for the characters on the screen. Yet, if you look closer you will see yourself and your hearts desire calling your name! The road to you will NOT be easy but very worth it! Keep going! You are bound to win!
Starving
Photo Courtesy of Teachmychildrenwell.com
This morning I woke up hungry and ready to eat. As I slowly approached the refrigerator the reality of what my options were made my stomach growl even louder. I had three boxes of cereal with no milk. My mind began to search for heftier options like scrambled eggs, toast, hash browns and a tall glass of orange juice. I knew this would be a meal that would surely satisfy my hunger. Yet, reality shook my fantasy again and said No! None of those options were available. I faced the truth that this morning I would unintentionally fast. Slipping into a new line of thinking, I begin to see how this physical manifestation of “starvation,” was a forecast of what has been happening in my life holistically.
In essence, I am broke(n). The moment of manifested starvation, made me realize I had nothing to offer myself. My resources were low and there was no one around to “carry my load.” Sure, I could have borrowed food from my neighbor, visited a local food pantry, or even scrapped up a couple bucks and went grocery shopping. All of these options would have sufficed. Yet, in the same rite I would have momentarily satisfied my hunger only to be left reeling with the same options of nothingness in the morning.
When you are starving in life, where do you turn? What are your options? So often, I have turned to “fast food” options to satisfy insatiable hungers. These quick fix “fast food” options of life are called distractions.
“Distraction: the illusory expectation of some fulfillment, which in the end is only human loneliness,” A Year with Thomas Merton, Johnathan Montaldo.
Life distractions come in the form of doing insignificant things to past time, drinking, taking drugs, having excessive sex, gossiping on the phone about other people, shopping in debt, overspending, etc. At what point in life do you decide you are not going to starve anymore? When you loose your job? When you husband/wife leaves you? When your kids push you to the side? When your boss says you are not worthy enough? When your mother/father dies? When do you come to a breaking point of saying enough is enough?
I came to my breaking point this morning when I realized I needed more than a quick fix for the day. I choose to wake up every morning and have the option to “cook and eat” whatever I want. In times past, what has satisfied my hungers most is sitting in quite solitude, talking to God and resting in his request. When I let the worries of the world flow out of my mind and just be myself, things seemed to be much easier. More and more I am leaning toward that hefty serving everyday. Maybe tomorrow’s meal options will be more satisfying.
What are you hungry for today?
