Habit 1 – Be Proactive

Proactive People

• Know what they stand for and have a strong set of values

• Listen to their “better selves”• Realize they have choices and take responsibility for

those choices• Bounce back when something bad happens in their lives• Always look at all options• Focus on things they can do something about, and don’t

worry about the other things

Proactive Language vs. Reactive Language

• “ If only …”• “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean

that.”• “Who does he think he is

anyway?”• “Can we talk about this

first?”• “Leave me alone, you jerk.

It’s non of your business!”• “I just cant decide!”

We can control only one thing: Ourselves

• Look at the following list and identify the things you cannot control and the things you can control.

• Weather What you eat Past Mistakes Others’ behavior Your Language Accidents Your choices Partners’ Behavior TV watching Parents Attitude Birth Place Exercise

The Victimitis Virus• Some people suffer from a

contagious virus called “Victimitis”• People infected believes that

everyone has it in for them• Example – “I would be starting, but

the coaches have something against me.”

• Reactive people : are easily offended, blame others, get angry and say things they will later regret, whine & complain, etc.

• Mark Twain quote “Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first”

Can Do People

• Being proactive really means two things– You take responsibility for your life– You have a can do attitude

• Can Do People– Take initiative to make it happen– Think about solutions and options– Act

• No – Can – Do People– Wait for something to happen to them– Think about problems and barriers– Are acted upon

• Please read the story on page 64. Once you are finished please select an experience you have gone through which relates to a Can – Do person

Reactive PeopleReactive people make their choices based on feelings, moods, and emotions.

Proactive people think before they act and take responsibility for their choices

Pushing Pause

Power Tools• Self – Awareness

– I can stand apart from myself and observe my thoughts and actions

• Conscience– I can listen to my inner voice to

know right from wrong• Imagination

– I can envision new possibilities• Will Power

– I have the power to choose

Please read “Human Tools in Action” pgs 68 – 70.