Habit 1 discusses being proactive. It explains that proactive people make things happen through their own decisions and choices rather than blaming outside conditions. They are responsible for their own behavior and response to situations. Reactive people on the other hand blame outside factors for their behavior and build their lives around other people's emotions. The document emphasizes that we have freedom to choose our response and that what matters most is how we respond to what happens in life. It encourages taking initiative to act rather than be acted upon.

1. Habit 1: Be ProactiveSeven Habits of Highly Effective People

2. Proactively DefinedPROACTIVITY = Human beings are responsible for our own behavior!Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions.We have the initiative and responsibility to make things happen. RESPONSIBILITY: “Response – ability” Ability to choose your response.

3. Proactive Vs. Reactive Proactive PeopleDo not Blame anyone or anything.Behavior is a product of their conscious choice, based on values.They carry their weather with them. They are still influenced by external stimulus – but their response is value based choice or response. Reactive People Blame circumstances, conditions & conditioning.Behavior is a product of their conditions, based on feelings.If weather is good, they feel good, if it is bad, they feel bad.Reactive people build their lives around others emotions.

4. No One Can Hurt You Without Your ConsentFreedom to Choose

5. It is not what happens to us, but our responses to what happens to us that hurts us. 3 Central Values – Victor Frankl The Experiential: that which happens to usThe Creative: that which we bring into existence The Attitudinal: Our response in difficult situations What matters most is how we respond to what we experience in life!

6. Taking the Initiative: Act or Be Acted UponOur basic nature is to act, and not be acted uponUse your R and I – Resourcefulness and Initiative Proactivity: 5000+ % difference in effectiveness Listening to Our Language

7. Circle of Concern / Circle of Influence Excellent way to become more self-aware regarding our own degree of proactivity is to look at where we focus our time and energy. Our HealthOur FamilyOur Work Our Spirituality Our Emotions

8. Circle of Concern / Circle of Influence Direct / Indirect / No Control Direct Control problems can be solved by working on our habits- Habits 1 to 3 (Private Victory)Indirect Control problems can be solved by changing our methods of influence – Habits 4 – 6 (Public Victory)No Control problems can be solved by changing the line on the bottom on our face – to smile , to genuinely & peacefully accept and learn to live with them.

9. Serenity Prayer Lord, give me the courage to change the things which can and ought to be changed, the serenity to accept the things which cannot be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.

10. Expanding the Circle of InfluenceBe a better listener Be more lovingBe a better learner Be a dedicated worker Be Happy - genuinely Smile 

11. Making and 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.It is essence of our growthSelf awareness & Conscience – We become conscience of our areas of improvements, areas of talent that can be developed, areas that need to be changed or eliminated Recognize and use our imagination and independent free will to act on that awareness – making promises, setting goals

12. Proactivity – 30 Day Test Try to see…How we Make and Keep Commitments? How do we handle traffic jam?How do we react to irate customer?How do you react to upset relative?How we view our problems?Where we focus our energies?

13. Proactivity – 30 Day Test Work Only on Your Circle of Influence Make small promises and keep them Be a light, not a judge Be a model, not a critic Be part of the solution, not part of the problem When you make a mistake, acknowledge it instantly, correct and learn from it.Don’t get into blaming and accusing mode. Work on things you have control over. Work on You!