How to Win at Work by Thinking Proactively
Dearly Beloved Kingdom Giant,
I’m thrilled again to connect with you today, a young professional with a strong foundation in faith and a heart to make a difference in your workplace and beyond.
Today, I want to share something transformational that can shift not just your career but your life: the Proactive Mindset versus the Reactive Mindset.
This is more than just a business concept. It’s a spiritual and practical approach to how we live and work in God’s purpose for us as an Apostle in the Marketplace.
Why Mindset Matters: Proactive vs. Reactive
Proactive Mindset means taking initiative, planning ahead, and controlling how you respond to events.
Reactive Mindset means waiting for things to happen and reacting emotionally or impulsively.
Let me be honest with you: the difference between these two mindsets can be the difference between growth and stagnation, peace and stress, leadership and followership.
Biblical Foundation for Proactivity
“The prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but he simple pass on and are punished.” -Proverbs 22:3 (KJV)
This verse teaches us the wisdom of foresight. Being proactive is not just smart—it's godly stewardship of our time, talents, and opportunities.
The Benefits of a Proactive Mindset for You and Your Career
You become a problem solver, not just a problem spotter.
You control your responses rather than being controlled by circumstances.
You gain trust from managers and colleagues by anticipating challenges and offering solutions.
You reduce stress by preparing ahead and managing your time wisely.
You grow faster in your career because leaders seek out people who lead themselves.
Jane Fraser, CEO of Citi, said,
“We don’t just want to keep up. We want to lead—and that takes intentional action and foresight.”
The Pitfalls of a Reactive Mindset
You become overwhelmed by constant surprises and crises.
You may miss opportunities because you’re always “catching up.”
You risk losing credibility when your responses seem emotional or impulsive.
Your career growth may stall as others lead the way.
You experience unnecessary stress and frustration.
How to Deploy a Proactive Mindset in Your Work
Plan your day and week ahead: Prioritize key tasks and anticipate obstacles.
Take ownership: When you see a problem, look for solutions, not excuses.
Communicate early: Share challenges or ideas before they become crises.
Seek continuous learning: Stay curious about improving your skills and processes.
Manage your emotions: Practice calm and thoughtful responses, even under pressure.
Build relationships: A proactive mindset includes helping and collaborating with others.
Reflect daily: Ask yourself, “Did I respond or react today?” and learn from it.
7 Ways to Adopt the Proactive Mindset Starting Now
Pray for wisdom and self-control to respond like Christ in every situation.
Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Use a planner or digital tool to organize your tasks.
Visualize potential challenges and prepare solutions in advance.
Ask for feedback from trusted mentors or supervisors regularly.
Practice gratitude to stay positive even when things don’t go as planned.
Celebrate small wins to reinforce your proactive habits.
Real-World Examples of Proactive Leadership
Jane Fraser (Citi CEO): By proactively restructuring Citi’s global operations, she positioned the bank to thrive amid global economic uncertainty.
Strive Masiyiwa (Founder of Econet, Zimbabwe): Anticipated Africa’s mobile communication needs and built one of the continent’s most successful telecom groups.
Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group, Nigeria): Took early steps in industrialization and diversification, staying ahead of market demands and creating a continent-wide conglomerate.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO Director-General): Used proactive diplomacy and reform strategies to lead global trade discussions and economic policy reforms.
My dear friend, adopting a proactive mindset aligns with both your faith and professional ambition.
It’s about living intentionally, stepping forward in faith, and leading with wisdom and courage.
As John Maxwell often stated,
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
Let’s choose to react less and respond more. Take the reins of your career and your calling—start today.
Go! TAKE CHARGE!!!
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Ruling Your World by David Oyedepo
Proactive Leadership by John C. Maxwell
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
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The Basics of Business Education by Krassimir Petrov of Dong-A University, South Korea
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