Habit #1

Be Proactive
Based on the work of Stephen Covey
What happens to a bottle of soda
when you shake it up?

It EXPLODES!
Journal Entry
or
Discussion
Starter:
Sometimes things go wrong, and we
feel shaken up. As a result, we might
EXPLODE on someone or something.
This is called being REACTIVE. Has
this ever happened to you? Explain
what happened and why. Was this a
good way to let go of all of your
feelings? Why or why not?
 When you are
PROACTIVE,
you make a choice about
how you react to the
things that happen in
your life. You act like a
water bottle. You might
get shaken up or mad,
but you stay calm and
don’t explode!
Proactivity Defined
• PROACTIVITY= Human beings are
responsible for our own behaviour.
• Our behaviour is a function of our
decisions, not our conditions.
• We have initiative and responsibility to
make things happen.
• RESPONSIBILITY= “Response –
ability” Ability to choose your response
Proactive vs. Reactive
When you are PROACTIVE, you make good
choices about how you respond to something
happening. You are always ready with a calm
attitude. You do things to make sure that the
right things will happen. You are prepared for
anything that might happen. When things don’t
go your way, you aren’t happy, BUT you stay
calm.

When you are REACTIVE, you could explode at

any minute. Things happen and they “catch you
off guard”. You aren’t ready for things that
might happen. You deal with things when they
happen instead of being prepared.
Proactive vs. Reactive
Proactive People Reactive People
• Do not blame anyone or • Blame circumstances&
anything. condition.
• Behaviour is a product of • Behaviour is a product of
their conscious choice, their conditions, based on
based on values. feelings.
• They carry their weather • If weather is good, they
with them. feel good, if it is bad they
feel bad.
The Social Mirror
• The “Social Mirror” is simply the way
we see ourselves based on current
opinions, and perceptions of the
people around us.
• When individuals give you their vision
of how they see you, it is only their
input rather than an accurate
reflection of who you are. This is why
the view we have of ourselves cannot
come merely from others. 
The Social Mirror
• The social mirror is currently having
too much negative effect on our lives.

HOW?
The Social Mirror
• One reason the social mirror is
affecting our lives is that people are
willing to change their bodies, and or,
their appearance due to the opinions
of others. For example, Plastic
surgery, tanning salons, and weight
loss programs.
•  
The Social Mirror
• Another reason the social mirror is
having negative effects on our lives is
that people are also willing to make
excuses for their appearance,
personality, beliefs, and actions.
Social Mirror
• There are actually three social maps --
three theories of determinism widely
accepted, independently or in
combination, to explain the nature of
man.
1- Genetic determinism basically says
your grandparents did it to you. That's
why you have such a temper.
Social Mirror
2- Psychic determinism basically says
your parents did it to you. Your
upbringing, your childhood experience
essentially laid out your personal
tendencies and your character
structure.
Social Mirror
• 3- Environmental determinism
basically says your boss is doing to
you -- or your spouse, or that bratty
teenager, or your economic situation,
or national policies. Someone or
something in your environment is
responsible for your situation.
Take the Initiative: Act or be
acted upon
• Our basic nature is to act, and not be acted
upon
• Use your R and I – Resourcefulness and
Initiative
• Proactivity: difference in efficiency is of
night and day between those who take
initiative and who do not
 Listening to Our Language
Our language, for example, is a very real indicator of the
degree to which we see ourselves as proactive people.
The language of reactive people absolves them of
responsibility.

Reactive Language Proactive Language

• Lets look at our
• There is nothing I can do
alternatives
• That’s just the way I am
• I can choose different
• He makes me so mad approach
• They will not allow that • I control my own feelings
• I have to do that • I can create my effective
• I cant presentation
• I choose
Where do you fall?

Very Very
Reactive Proactive

How could you be

more proactive?
How do you feel on days
like this?
 What
about
sunny
days like
this?
If you could “carry the weather
with you”….

you could have a

good day no matter
what comes your way.
Circle of Influence &
Circle of Concern
• A Circle of Influence encompasses
those concerns that we can do
something about. They are concerns
that we have control over.
• A Circle of Concern encompasses
those concerns or things that people
cannot control.
Circle of Influence &
Circle of Concern
• The Circle of Concern is filled with the
have's. For instance,
• "If only I had a boss who wasn't such
a dictator.“
• "I'll be happy when I have my house
paid off.“
• "If I could just have more time to
myself."
Circle of Influence &
Circle of Concern
• The Circle of Concern is filled with the
be's. For instance,
• I can be more patient
Circle of Influence & Circle of
Concern
Things you
circle of
can’t control
circle
of
influence
Things you
can control or
change
concern

Focus on things you can

change or influence
Circle of Influence
Things you Things you
CAN’T control CAN control
or change: or change:
• Other people • Your attitude
• The weather • Your mood
• Things you did • Your reaction to
wrong in the past good and bad
• How other people things that
happen
treat me
• How I treat other
• Homework
people

Can you think of other

examples from your life?
Expanding the Circle of
Influence
• Be a better listener
• Be more loving
• Be a better learner
• Be a dedicated worker
• Be Happy – genuinely smile
Making & Keeping
Commitments
• At the very heart of our Circle of
Influence is the ability to make and
keep commitments and promises.
• The commitments we make to
ourselves and others, and our integrity
to those commitments is the clear
manifestation of our proactivity.
Be Proactive
• Change how you handle things. Make
a choice to be positive and focus on
those things that YOU can change.

• Make a positive difference in your

family, your class, your school and the
world!