How to be more proactive (and the benefits of trying)
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
If you’re not a natural go-getter, but you want to be, there’s hope. Learn 9 ways to be more proactive and how going after what you want can change your life.
Do you ever feel like your days are blending together and your responsibilities are piling up faster than you can keep up? Maybe you’re swamped at work, your kids have spirit week at school, and you have a million errands to run, making it impossible to do anything beyond putting one foot in front of the other.
When life gets busy, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up.
It doesn’t need to be this way, though. When you have a proactive mindset, you create solutions instead of waiting for one to find you, which allows you to stop those feelings of overwhelm before they creep up on you.
Let’s explore the benefits of proactivity, and how you can embrace it in your life.
What does it mean to be proactive?
When someone’s proactive, they take initiative instead of reacting to things as they happen. They might notice what needs to be done and step in to handle it — sometimes before anyone even asks.
Imagine you have an important project due at work in two weeks. If you’re a reactive person, you might put off the work, thinking you have plenty of time, before you have to scramble to finish everything at the last minute. But if you’re a proactive type, you would get an early head start, breaking the project into smaller tasks, and working little by little to stay on track. This way, if something unexpected happens, you’re not overwhelmed or panicked.
But proactivity isn’t just a behavior that shows up at work. Maybe you schedule your doctor appointments in advance because you’ve marked it in your planner that it's time for your yearly check up. Or maybe you prep your lunches for the week, knowing that you want to save money or eat healthier but your days get too busy to cook.
Proactivity also means taking responsibility for what you do. It’s recognizing how your actions and choices can affect your life and those around you.
When something goes wrong, proactive people look for ways to learn from the experience instead of blaming others or making excuses. Theyask themselves questions like, “What could I have done differently?” and “How can I prevent this in the future?” This can help you develop confidence and resilience over time as you make space for self-reflection.
What are the benefits of being proactive?
Being proactive can make life a lot easier. When you think ahead and take action early, you avoid the chaos that can come with last-minute decisions or unexpected problems. It can also give you a sense of control, because even if things don’t go perfectly, you’ll know deep down that you did everything you could to set yourself up for success.
Plus, when you’re proactive, the benefits go far beyond just turning in a project on time or scheduling an appointment before you get a reminder call. Here are seven possible perks of productivity:
Better problem-solving skills: By thinking ahead and addressing issues early, you can prevent small problems from turning into bigger ones. This can help you stay calm and confident when challenges arise.
Increased confidence and control: When you take initiative and plan ahead, you feel more capable of handling whatever comes your way. This can boost your confidence and reduce feelings of helplessness.
Improved time management: Planning and prioritizing tasks helps you stay on track and avoid last-minute stress. You get more done in less time — and create space for relaxation and enjoyment too.
Stronger relationships: Proactive communication helps prevent misunderstandings and builds trust. By addressing potential issues early, you make stronger, more positive connections with others.
Career growth: Proactivity at work shows up as taking initiative, asking for feedback, and looking for opportunities outside of your job responsibilities. And when you do this, your peers and managers recognize your efforts which can lead to promotions and greater professional success.
Reduced stress: Yes, it’s true — being proactive often equates to feeling less stressed and overwhelmed! And this in turn helps you feel more at ease with all your responsibilities because life feels just a bit more manageable.
Personal growth: Proactivity keeps you curious because you’re always taking action and wanting to do things better. You’re more likely to set goals and learn new skills that help you grow and build resilience.
How to develop a proactive mindset: 9 ways to take charge in your daily life
So, ready to get a little more proactive? If you’re already stressed about how you can change your whole approach to life, take a deep breath. Proactivity is all about small changes each day that help you build habits to feel more prepared in your life. So choose one of the tips below and add on as you feel ready or able.
1. Set clear goals to focus your energy
When you have clear goals, you can focus on what matters. Take some time to think about what you’d like to achieve in areas like your career, health, relationships, or personal growth. Small, specific goals are easier to stick with and feel less overwhelming — this guide to setting goals can help. As you make progress, your confidence will grow, and you can add more actions to help you reach your bigger goal.
Try this: Write down a few of your goals and break them into smaller, achievable steps. For example, if your goal is to improve your fitness, write down the actions that’ll help you feel better, like committing to a 15-minute walk outside every other day and drinking 8 oz more water a day to start.
2. Prioritize tasks to reduce overwhelm
Not everything that comes your way is urgent, but it’s easy to feel swamped when everything seems like a priority. To stay on top of things, get into the habit of identifying what’s most important.
Focusing on the high-priority tasks first helps you avoid that rushed, last-minute feeling. Plus, once the important stuff is out of the way, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that keeps you motivated throughout the day.
Try this: Start your day by listing tasks in order of priority — what absolutely needs to get done today, and what can wait?
💙 Play mood-boosting music while you prioritize tasks, like San Holo’s Stay Vibrant mix, and create a fun morning ritual out of it.
3. Plan ahead with lists or reminders
When it comes to planning, you don’t have to make it complicated. Creating a simple to-do list for the next day or setting up reminders on your phone of things you don’t want to forget next week are easy ways to be proactive.
By planning ahead, you reduce the chance of forgetting things and make it easier to manage your time. And the more you practice planning, the more automatic it becomes! (Feeling like you don’t have enough time in a day? These 10 tips can help.)
Try this: If you know you have a busy week coming up, take a few minutes to map out what needs to be done and when. This could involve scheduling grocery shopping, setting aside time for work projects, or blocking off time to relax.
4. Take responsibility for your actions
Taking responsibility doesn’t mean striving for perfection in everything you do. It’s about being aware that what you do—or don’t do—impacts the results you get. It’s easy to shift the blame to something or someone when we’re unhappy with the outcome, but adopting this mindset helps you take ownership of your actions.
Try this: Next time something doesn’t work out as planned, try repeating the mantra, “mistakes are normal and they don’t define me.”
5. Stay curious and ask questions
Curiosity fuels growth. When you actively seek out knowledge and new experiences, you put yourself in a better position to handle future challenges. Ask questions, read, and explore new skills.
Being proactive often means learning in advance, so you’re prepared when opportunities or obstacles arise. For example, if you’re unsure about something at work, don’t wait for someone to notice — seek clarity by sending an email or setting up a call with the appropriate people. The more informed you are, the more confident and capable you’ll feel.
Try this: Practice asking questions in low-risk, everyday situations — like asking for clarification on the menu in your local coffee shop, or for a friend to explain an unfamiliar term they used in conversation. You can also try these seven ways to learn something new every day.
6. Develop good habits
Your daily habits shape the kind of person you become. Proactive people often build routines that keep them organized and productive.
Good habits don’t just make you more effective — they reduce stress by adding structure to your day. Over time, these habits become second nature, making it easier to stay proactive without even thinking about it.
Try this: Take a look at your day tomorrow and ask yourself: what’s one small habit you can add to make your morning better? Maybe it’s waking up 5 minutes earlier instead of hitting snooze, so you have time to shower without rushing.
7. Surround yourself with proactive people
The people you spend time with influence your mindset. When you surround yourself with people who are proactive and motivated, their energy and habits can rub off on you.
Having a supportive network can keep you motivated and accountable. Look for friends, mentors, or coworkers who inspire you to take action and grow.
Try this: Consider joining groups or attending workshops to connect with people who share your interests and goals. If you struggle with putting yourself out there, these 11 tips on overcoming adult shyness may help.
8. Manage your energy, not just your time
Proactive people know that staying ahead isn’t just about time — it’s also about energy.
Pay attention to how you feel throughout the day. If you’re tired, stressed, or burned out, it’s harder to stay on top of things. Take breaks, get enough rest, and eat well.
Try this: Schedule downtime just as you would meetings or appointments. When your energy is balanced, you’re more productive and better able to make thoughtful, proactive decisions.
💙 Learn how to Break the Habit of Busyness in this meditation with Professor Megan Reitz and make space for rest.
9. Anticipate obstacles to stay prepared
One of the hallmarks of being proactive is thinking ahead and preparing for potential roadblocks. This doesn’t mean obsessing over everything that could go wrong — just taking a few moments to consider possible challenges.
For example, if you know traffic tends to be heavy on your way to work, plan to leave a little earlier. If you have an important project coming up, give yourself extra time in case something unexpected pops up. Anticipating obstacles can prevent them from throwing your whole day off track.
Try this: Choose an event or situation from your week ahead and write down the challenges that might get in the way. Take a couple of minutes to think about small changes you can put in place to make those challenges less likely, or to feel better prepared if they do pop up.
How to be proactive FAQs
What does a proactive person look like?
Proactive people often appear confident, but that confidence comes from the habits they’ve built over time. They trust their ability to handle situations because they’ve taken steps to prepare. Even if things don’t go perfectly, they adapt quickly and look for lessons in the experience.
In group settings, you might notice proactive people asking a lot of questions, asking for feedback, and taking more of an initiative. At work, they volunteer for tasks before being asked or suggest solutions when problems arise. In their personal lives, they plan ahead — whether it’s scheduling regular dental cleanings instead of waiting for a toothache or carving out time each day to tackle a few items on their to-do list.
You’re not trying to be perfect — just consistently trying to stay ahead and learning from whatever happens.
What are some common obstacles to becoming more proactive?
One of the biggest obstacles to becoming proactive is procrastination. It may feel easier to put things off, especially when tasks feel overwhelming or unclear, but this often leads to last-minute stress and missed opportunities. (These nine tips can help you change that habit.)
Another common barrier is fear — fear of failure, fear of making the wrong decision, or even fear of stepping outside of your comfort zone. This can cause hesitation, leading to a reactive approach where you wait until circumstances force you to act.
If you doubt your ability to make decisions or solve problems, you might hold back and let others take the lead. Distractions and poor time management can make it hard to focus on long-term planning, because when life feels busy or chaotic, it’s natural to focus on getting through the day rather than thinking ahead.
To overcome these obstacles, start small. No one is proactive all the time. It’s all about taking small steps in the right direction and not beating yourself up when you slip up. Progress is still progress.
How does being proactive differ from being reactive?
Think of reactivity as responding after a situation has already happened, while proactivity is thinking ahead and figuring out what you can do to make things go more smoothly. If you’ve got a project coming up and choose to be proactive about it, you might create a timeline to stay on track. A reactive approach, on the other hand, might involve waiting until the deadline is near and rushing to finish, possibly dealing with unexpected problems at the last minute.
Proactive people tend to feel more in control because they anticipate needs and plan ahead. Reactive people often experience more stress, as they’re frequently handling things at the last minute or responding to issues that could have been prevented.
That said, being reactive isn’t always bad — sometimes unexpected situations require immediate action. But, living reactively all the time can lead to burnout and frustration. The goal is to find a balance, acting proactively when possible while staying flexible enough to handle surprises as they come.
Can I train myself to be proactive, or is it an inherent personality trait?
Being proactive isn’t something you’re either born with or without — it’s a skill that anyone can develop with practice.
While some people may naturally lean toward planning and organization, proactivity is more about habits than personality. By consistently working on small proactive behaviors, you can gradually build the mindset and confidence needed to stay ahead of tasks and decisions. And these 13 tips can help you gain confidence.
To train yourself to be more proactive, start by focusing on one area of your life, like work or personal health. Create simple routines, such as planning your week every Sunday or setting reminders for important deadlines. Over time, these small habits will start to feel natural. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to apply proactive thinking to other areas of your life.
Also, pay attention to how proactive people around you handle tasks and problems. Ask questions, seek out advice, and try new things. After a while, you may notice yourself becoming more proactive in ways that feel authentic to you.
How can I maintain a proactive mindset during challenging or unpredictable times?
When you’re going through a tough time, it can be more difficult to be proactive. After all, you’re most focused on your immediate problems. Still, if you can manage some level of proactivity, you may find yourself feeling more stable and in control.
Start by clarifying what your goals are and break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. For instance, if your workload is piling up, start by organizing your tasks and getting the most pressing ones done first. Then ask for feedback. This can help you from feeling overwhelmed.
Of course, you’ll want to stay flexible too. Proactivity doesn’t mean everything will go perfectly according to plan — it means being willing to adjust when needed. Regularly review your goals and plans, and don’t be afraid to shift gears if circumstances change. Taking care of your mental and physical health is just as important during these times. Make sure to rest, ask for help, and give yourself credit for any progress you make.
What role does self-discipline play in proactivity?
Self-discipline is what keeps you moving forward, even when motivation dips or distractions arise. Proactive people rely on self-discipline to stick to their plans, follow through on commitments, and resist the temptation to put things off. Without it, even the best intentions can fall by the wayside.
Still, be kind to yourself when things don’t go the way you wish they had. If you make a mistake, learn from it and start fresh the next day. Discipline is about progress, not perfection — but the more you do it, the easier it becomes, no matter what life throws your way.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.
Images: Getty
