Proactive vs Reactive
When you plan ahead and try to prevent problems, you are being this.
What is proactive?
This “circle” includes things you can control, like your attitude and choices.
What is the Circle of Influence?
Doing something without being told is called taking this.
What is initiative?
Your group is confused about a project, so you stop and look at what the teacher actually asked for.
What is figuring out the situation?
What is the primary purpose of using a daily to-do list?
What is to organize priorities
When you only act after something happens, you are being this.
What is reactive?
Things you worry about but can’t control—like the weather—belong in this circle.
What is the Circle of Concern?
When you see a mess and clean it up before anyone asks, you’re showing this.
What is responsibility?
Your tablet keeps shutting off, so you check the battery, charger, and settings to find the real problem.
What is finding the cause?
This strategy is known to help reduce procrastination
a) Waiting for motivation b) Starting with the easiest task only c) Ignoring Deadlines d) Breaking tasks into smaller steps
What is D) Breaking tasks into smaller steps
Setting out your clothes the night before school is an example of this type of behavior.
What is being proactive?
When you focus on what you can control, this circle gets bigger.
What is your Circle of Influence?
People who take initiative often say this instead of “I can’t.”
What is “I’ll try”?
You’re deciding whether to join a club, so you write down the good things and the not‑so‑good things.
What is making a pros and cons list?
This is the benefit of setting time blocks
1. Encourages multitasking, 2. Creates structured focus periods, 3. Limits productivity
What is 2. Creates structured focus periods
Saying “There’s nothing I can do” is a sign of this kind of reactive thinking.
What is a victim mindset?
Complaining about things you can’t change makes this circle shrink.
What is your Circle of Influence?
This skill helps you start tasks on your own because you understand what needs to be done without waiting for reminders.
What is being self‑motivated?
You’re annoyed about a grade, but you calm down and look at the comments to understand what happened.
What is thinking carefully?
This tool is most effective for tracking long term goals
What is a vision board/goal planner
Proactive people focus on goals. Reactive people focus mostly on this.
What are their emotions or the moment?
This habit from “The 7 Habits” teaches you to grow your Circle of Influence.
What is ‘Be Proactive’?
Taking initiative sometimes means pushing past this fear of doing something wrong.
What is fear of failure?
Your plant looks unhealthy, so you make a guess, try different amounts of water, and see what works.
Your plant looks unhealthy, so you make a guess, try different amounts of water, and see what works.
This time‑management tool helps you decide which tasks you should do first by sorting them into “urgent” and “important” categories.
What is the Eisenhower Matrix