How To Be Proactive at Work - A Five Step System PDF

How to be Proactive at Work: A Five Step System https://eatyourcareer.
com/2010/08/how-be-proactive-at-work-step-system/
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BY CHRISSY SCIVICQUE 54 COMMENTS
How to Be Proactive at Work: My 5 Step

System
Learn more about how to be proactive at work in

my book available on Amazon.
Let’s take a few minutes to look critically at your actions in the workplace.
Do you react to the events happening around you or do you take initiative to prepare for,
participate in and/or control the events?
Do you take an active or passive role? Do you think in terms of the present or do you look to
the future, anticipating outcomes and preparing for the consequences?
Do you make a decision only when you have to, when you’re backed into a corner or when
you’ve put it off for as long as you can? Or do you make conscious decisions as part of a
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How to be Proactive at Work: A Five Step System https://eatyourcareer.com/2010/08/how-be-proactive-at-work-step-system/
In my experience, the most valuable employees are the ones who are proactive. By definition, this
means they control situations by causing things to happen rather than waiting to respond after
things happen. People who are proactive don’t sit around waiting for answers to appear; they
stand up, put one foot in front of the other, and find the answers. They don’t wait for someone to
hand them an instruction manual and a box of tools; they’re resourceful.
Proactive people are constantly moving forward, looking to the future, and making things happen.
They’re actively engaged, not passively observing. Being proactive is a way of thinking and acting.
Now, this concept can be a little abstract for some. An article written by motivational speaker, Craig
Harper in 2007 explains it like this:
“ Reactive is, ‘I’ve got massive chest pain and pins and needles down my arm. Maybe I’ll
go to the doctor.’ Proactive is, ‘Even though I have no symptoms, I want to live a long,
healthy life so I have embraced the life-long habits of healthy eating and regular
exercise.’
So, are you being proactive or reactive in the workplace?
Certainly, there are times when it’s appropriate to be reactive. We have plenty of decisions to
make in-the-moment. There are times when we need to be flexible and adapt to a rapidly changing
environment. There are times when long-term plans must be abandoned in order to meet
immediate needs. And there will always be those unavoidable roadblocks that even the most
proactive person in the world would not have been able to foresee or avoid.
However, the ability to be proactive provides a clear advantage in the workplace and most
managers expect staff members to demonstrate a proactive mentality.
I have identified five key behaviors (The 5 P’s) involved in being proactive. Below, I’ve outlined my
system and exactly how you can develop your abilities in each area.
Note: I’ve recently expanded my work on this topic and published the book, “The Proactive
Professional: How to Stop Playing Catch Up & Start Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life). It’s
available on Amazon here.
1. Predict
In order to be proactive, you must first develop foresight.
Proactive people are rarely caught by surprise. Learn to anticipate problems and events.
Understand how things work; look for patterns; recognize the regular routines, daily practices and
natural cycles that exist in your business. At the same time, don’t allow yourself to become
complacent. Use your imagination when anticipating future outcomes. Don’t simply expect the past
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2. Prevent
Proactive people foresee potential obstacles and exert their power to find ways to overcome them
before those obstacles turn into concrete roadblocks.
They prevent problems that others would simply look back on in hindsight and claim unavoidable.
Don’t allow yourself to get swept up in a feeling of powerlessness. When challenges approach,
take control and confront them head on before they grow into overwhelming problems.
3. Plan
Proactive people plan for the future.
Avoid one-step, “here and now” thinking and instead, look ahead and anticipate long-term
consequences. Bring the future into the present; what can you do today to ensure success
tomorrow? Don’t make decisions in a vacuum; every decision is a link in a chain of events leading
to one final conclusion. In order to make the best decision, you have to know where you came
from, where you are, and where you want to end up.
4. Participate
Proactive people are not idle observers, they are active participants.
In order to be proactive, you must get involved. You have to take initiative and be a part of the
solution. Recognize that you are only a piece of the whole and that you influence—and are
influenced by—the actions of others. Don’t simply react to them. Engage with them. Exert your
influence and make a contribution.
5. Perform
Being proactive means taking timely, effective action.
You must be decisive and willing to do the work NOW. Procrastination is not an option. Take
ownership of your performance and hold yourself accountable. Stand behind your decisions. Being
proactive means you have taken careful, thoughtful steps to choose the appropriate path; you’re
not just reacting impulsively to your environment.
Take Your Career to the Next Level
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Filed Under: productivity Tagged With: productivity
Comments
Karen F. says
September 2, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Love this post, Chrissy. I always enjoy how-to’s related to productivity, seeing as I work for myself.
lol It just gives me a great sense of accomplishment getting things done within the time they’re
supposed to — the first time. Your steps here are very simple (which I love even more), and very
doable. Hope everyone out there imbibes the concept!
Karen, The Resume Chick (on Google or Twitter for questions, comments or violent reactions)
Reply
4 of 12 7/31/2019, 10:43 AM
Really enjoyed and learned a lot through your post. Though your P’s are simple but most of us don’t
follow it due to our procrastination and complacent behaviour. My personal opinion is that being
proactive or reactive actually lies in one’s nature. If you are born a proactive person, you can’t be
reactive only all the time though can happen few times and vice versa.
Reply
ADITYA SINGHANIA says

September 15, 2012 at 12:59 PM
i am being reactive nowadays but today i am proactive
Reply
silverspiral.org says
February 26, 2015 at 2:13 PM
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I have truly loved surfing
around your blog posts.
After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Reply
Danish says
December 14, 2016 at 1:29 AM
5 of 12 7/31/2019, 10:43 AM
Very nice article infact it’s very near to our lives sometimes we are reactive and some times we are
proactive.
The last P that is perform I have some little bit issue with how can we perform proactive if the
management is in reactive state or not want to accept the proactive approach
Reply
Chris Schleich says

Very concise and well done. In my experience this trait is all the difference between a good employee
and an organization changing all-star.
Reply
Gugulethu says
February 23, 2017 at 7:28 AM
How do you become proactive when a superior always finds a way to shut down whatever you bring
to the table…
Reply
Evelyn Wiredu says

March 4, 2017 at 11:04 AM
6 of 12 7/31/2019, 10:43 AM
Reply
Evelyn Wiredu says

March 4, 2017 at 11:10 AM
really , is worthy reading
Reply
Priscilla says
September 12, 2017 at 9:54 AM
I really love this post
Reply
Sandeep Deshmukh says

March 1, 2018 at 1:25 AM
Really the best post and good learning from this post
Reply
7 of 12 7/31/2019, 10:43 AM
The post is helpful and there is good learning in the post, especially the 5Ps
Reply
T K Rao says
April 6, 2018 at 9:05 PM
Very nice post. Need to be more focussed to implement in a very disciplined way in every aspect of
our daily life.
These 5Ps are simply superb to know.
Reply
Jayanta Kumar Pattjoshi says

April 8, 2018 at 6:57 AM
Good Learning from this Post
Reply
Kennedy Charity says

June 18, 2018 at 2:25 AM
just stumbled on this post and it really blessed me. I have learnt a lot from it as a teacher and mother.
thanks so very much.
8 of 12 7/31/2019, 10:43 AM
Reply
Aryan says
Worth it! This post is amazing. It keeps me motivated towards my positive outlook in my career. I
believe in sayings that “prevention is better than cure”. I guess I can call my self a proactive person.
Reply
Martha says
July 24, 2019 at 2:36 PM
The post is very profound, simple and easy to incorporate into your own life and routine as long as
you are willing to do the work in order to get or see the results intended by the author.
Reply
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How to be Proactive at Work: A Five Step System https://eatyourcareer.

NEED A SPEAKER? BLOG ABOUT LOG IN SUCCESS STORE 0 ITEMS

CAREER ADVANCERS CAREER CHANGERS JOB SEEKERS ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS

BY CHRISSY SCIVICQUE 54 COMMENTS

How to Be Proactive at Work: My 5 Step

Learn more about how to be proactive at work in

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

So, are you being proactive or reactive in the workplace?

In order to be proactive, you must first develop foresight.

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

Proactive people plan for the future.

Being proactive means taking timely, effective action.

Take Your Career to the Next Level

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

Sign up today and take your career to the next level.

Filed Under: productivity Tagged With: productivity

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

ADITYA SINGHANIA says

i am being reactive nowadays but today i am proactive

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

Chris Schleich says

Evelyn Wiredu says

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

Evelyn Wiredu says

really , is worthy reading

I really love this post

Sandeep Deshmukh says

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

Jayanta Kumar Pattjoshi says

Good Learning from this Post

Kennedy Charity says

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

Join Our FREE Monthly

Please verify your request*

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

QUICK LINKS PRODUCTS SERVICES &

Blog Development Plan Speaking & Training

About The Proactive Professional Career Coaching

Contact Personal Branding for Resumes & Cover Letters

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

Resources for Career Changers Networking Naturally ELEVATE Admins (Self-Study)

Resources for Job Seekers Getting Training)

Modern Business Etiquette Next Wave Leaders (On-Site

© 2019 CCS VENTURES, LLC

if you wish. Accept Reject Read More

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