proactive
Taking initiative early
Proactive means taking initiative rather than waiting to respond to events.
A proactive approach anticipates problems before they arise.
Proactive measures prevent rather than react.
The word emerged in the mid-20th century as the opposite of reactive, and has become standard in business and self-help contexts: Be proactive about your career.
Sometimes overused to the point of buzzword status.
Ability to anticipate futures
- preemptiveActing to forestall
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- predictDeclare future outcomes
- foreseePredict future events
preparedness · readiness · contingency · preparation · projection · prognosis · expectation · forward-looking
One with initiative
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- motivatedSpurred to action
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
- enterprisingShowing initiative and drive
resourceful · go-getter · assertive · engaged · determined · hands-on · autonomous · empowered
Arranging for future events
- goal-orientedFocused on objectives
- tacticalStrategically planned
- forward-thinkingAnticipating future needs
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
prioritization · execution · decision-making · optimization · methodology · long-term · calculated · deliberate
Active and changing
- vigorousHaving great physical energy
- enthusiasticShowing intense eager enjoyment
- spiritedFull of vim
- engagedPledged to marry
vital · animated · eager · zealous · bustling · lively · driven · momentum
Precaution against harm
- protectionGuarding against harm
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- screeningEvaluative selection process
wellness · prophylaxis · checkup · maintenance · monitoring · detection · awareness · caution
foresight
Ability to anticipate futures
- preemptiveActing to forestall
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- predictDeclare future outcomes
foresee · preparedness · readiness · contingency · preparation · projection · prognosis · expectation · forward-looking · preventive
self-starter
One with initiative
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- motivatedSpurred to action
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
enterprising · resourceful · go-getter · assertive · engaged · determined · hands-on · autonomous · empowered · self-directed
planning
Arranging for future events
- goal-orientedFocused on objectives
- tacticalStrategically planned
- forward-thinkingAnticipating future needs
visionary · prioritization · execution · decision-making · optimization · methodology · long-term · calculated · deliberate · purposeful
dynamic
Active and changing
- vigorousHaving great physical energy
- enthusiasticShowing intense eager enjoyment
- spiritedFull of vim
engaged · vital · animated · eager · zealous · bustling · lively · driven · momentum · verve
safeguard
Precaution against harm
- protectionGuarding against harm
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
screening · wellness · prophylaxis · checkup · maintenance · monitoring · detection · awareness · caution · prudence
- marketing buzzwordssynergy, leverage, pivot, disrupt, scalable
- playstylesaggressive, defensive, passive, casual, competitive
- work stylescollaborative, hierarchical, agile, flexible, structured
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- buzzwordssynergy, leverage, paradigm, stakeholder, scalable
proactivereactive
Tending to respond
passive · inactive · responsive · idle · inert
proactiveshortsighted
Unable to see ahead
myopic · improvident · unprepared · heedless · imprudent
proactivereactive
Tending to respond
retroactive · remedial · responsive · after-the-fact · backward-looking
- be proactiveAct before needed