Is being proactive something natural?
I mean we come across people who are naturally outgoing, always in this mental state of getting out there creating, experimenting and developing new things outside their comfort zone.
Of course, we can also find ourselves in this state of mind through external factors, factors that pull us out of our own comfort zone, for example.
For me, this is usually curiosity, perhaps decoding a certain mystery. In such a situation, my comfort zone is way less appealing.
I think being continuously proactive is something unnatural, because it's similar to being awake continuously without sleeping, which is quite impossible.
In a normal circumstances, when there are two or more things to juggle between, the goal is usually to balance between or across these different things.
Take the example of work-life balance, it is suggested that we should balance the two, in an almost equal manner since one isn't necessarily more important than the other, which is quite true.
However, external circumstances and the possibility of choice can play a huge part in how creating a work-life balance is implemented. People have the choice to do what they want to do, especially if it works for them.
Proactivity as a Spectrum, Not a Binary
The sleep-wakefulness analogy paints proactiveness as an on/off switch. However, based on experience and observations, proactiveness is mostly experienced as a spectrum. We cycle through proactive phases fueled by curiosity or other external motivators like deadlines looming on the horizon.
During these periods, we're naturally proactive, which gives us the ability to get things done, experiment with new ideas, push boundaries and everything action-oriented.
But just like our bodies need sleep to recharge, our "proactive muscles" also need rest. This is when our proactiveness begins to shift on the spectrum, from more to less proactivity. Eventually, we enter a recovery period, where we consolidate information and process experiences, similar to how felines rest their body after a heavy meal.
This recovery period can differ quite significantly from one individual to another. Even our natural proactivity levels also differ significantly.
Like mentioned above, some individuals are outgoing, naturally wired to be brimming with ideas, constantly buzzing with the next project or exploration.
Others like myself, thrive in a more measured approach, preferring to delve deeply into one task at a time before moving on.
The General Key
Naturally, there's no single "right" way to be proactive. And if there's a key towards being proactive, then it'll probably be found through understanding your own internal rhythm and creating an environment that fosters your natural style, a rhythm that works for you.
For instance, recognizing your own internal cues and external circumstances can help you identify when to push forward with proactive initiatives and when to take a step back and recharge.
Essentially, this is also cyclical in nature, which means thinking linearly wouldn't get the job done.
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