What does being proactive really mean?

It means you should anticipate what is going to happen, prepare for it and take action immediately. For example, if your company is planning to start a new division, you could do some research on what they intend to do, what sort of personnel would be required, then learn the skills or get the qualification necessary to go up to your boss and offer your services, before the company starts advertising or anybody else start preparing for it. Proactive is the opposite of reactive (e.g. reacting to what happened). ... more

Instead of putting out the fire after it occurs, doing something ahead of time to prevent it. It's really forecasting to see what may happen in future business, so you will be prepared. Proactive VS. reactive. ... more

being proactive is taking inititave in a situation. Being the first to step up and say, hey i can do this. Being proactive is becoming the emmergent leader in a group. Proactive people are positive thinkers. When someone is being proactive they take control of any situation that demands attention. ... more