To
understand proactivity one must first know
what reactivity is. Reactive behavior comes
from providing an immediate, impulsive and
many times thoughtless reflex reaction to
stimulation. In proactive behavior there
is a pause between stimulus and response.
The pause is used for making a suitable
choice of response.
For example, a poisonous
snake bites a person.
The reactive person would
grab a stick and run after the snake to
kill it. The proactive person would however
rush to the nearest clinic and have anti-
snake venom administered.
The reactive person has
taken immediate action based on flight-fight
phenomenon. Angry and flushed with adrenaline,
he feels how the snake dare bite me. Kill
the reptile.
The proactive person
on the other hand, is shocked and disturbed,
when bitten by the snake. Though angry,
he does not react immediately. He takes
a pause.
A “Calm Pause”.
This pause gives him enough time and opportunity
to take a proactive response, which would
save his life. Proactive behavior can save
many situations and avoid a lot of unpleasantness.
A lot of stress can be avoided if we take
a Calm Pause before reacting. |