Intention
Take care of things before they become a crisis. Be prepared. Action is better than reaction.

Drowlord's Commentary
I find that managment types misinterpret this concept. Many managers seem to think this concept is equivalent to "take initiative". Proactivity, according to the dictionary, is acting in anticipation of a problem. "Initiative" is a leadership skill -- taking the first step.

Initiative is a skill -- and a valuable one in many circumstances -- but it's not really an "effectiveness" skill.

Intention
Make certain that your actions serve your goal.

Drowlord's Commentary
I have a story.

When I was in my early 20's, I watched a movie called "Pump up the Volume." In this movie, a pirate radio operator broadcast his angst-ridden generation-x dissatisfaction to the world. I was young enough to think it was incredibly cool.

So... I found plans for a pirate radio transmitter and built it at a cost of around $30. It was un ugly mess of wiring and electrical components, and it didn't work. I was very disappointed. I found better plans, and put more time and money into it, this time building a $150 mess of wiring, capacitors, coils, resisters, and transistors. It barely worked. It basically sucked. A year or so later, I found a "professional" all digital kit with neat LED numbers, a digital tuner, stereo inputs, a built-in mixer, and pre-amps for a high-wattage boosters. It was around $400 for the kit, and it took me around 40 hours to build it. This transmitter worked perfectly. After years of thinking about it, a fair bit of change, and many hours with a soldering iron, my dream finally came true.

The night of my premier broadcast, I plugged in a mixer, plugged in my mike, tuned in an available frequency, and made my announcement. "This is Doctor D, coming to you live on pirate radio." Then I paused. For a while. I had nothing to say. Finally I said "Well, that's about everything I have to say." and turned it off.

When all was said and done, I wasn't really angst-ridden about anything. I wasn't pissed off. I didn't feel helpless, or bored, or lonely. I mean... I didn't like college and all, but it was hardly something to complain about.

I didn't have an end in mind. I got caught up in the communication tools, but didn't have anything to communicate.

Intention
In many circumstances, there is a sequence to events which must be followed. Focus on the next (or first) thing that needs to be done, before you pursue the last things.

Commentary
This is probably the "habit" that I have the hardest time agreeing with. As a technical person (and programmer specifically), I understand sequence, procedure, and related concepts better than most. However, in my experience with projects, it is clear that there isn't a sequence to most events. Beyond that, you have to start some of the final steps long before you're ready to use them. For instance:

Exception 1: Exploration. In order to make a movie, you need a script. Before you can write a script, you need a story. If I start with filming the characters (in my particular case, 3D modelling and animating), I'm not putting first things first. However, by my reckoning, it's important for me to determine whether the final steps are possible, before I invest time in the stories and script.

Exception 2: Iteration. In my experience, success comes through iteration. Write a story, rethink it, write it, rethink it, write it, rethink it. When I write a computer program, I normally have to write it at least twice to make it work perfectly. My boss generally thinks that this is a poor way to develop. So, I've worked with "project managers" to establish business requirements, standards, and so on. At some point it becomes obvious that the project manager or customer didn't think of something important (i.e. many things). I end up writing it again, even though we spent a load of effort avoiding a re-write. I don't believe that you can really avoid the "iteration" that makes something successful.

Exception 3: Constraints. My projects often include time constraints. My big goal is to provide the core features, and back-fill the least important ones if I have time.

Intention
Find projects and solutions that benefit everyone who needs to participate. If someone is a victim in your scheme, it will be hard to get them to contribute.

Commentary
Another Story. Here's a scenario (from experience): A guy comes up to me and says "Hey, you know how to program, set up servers, establish a network infrastructure, design graphics, 3D animate, and design circuitry, right?" I say "yeah, sure." He says "Hey, I have this idea... I'll be rich."

I say "It sounds like I have to do everything. What are you going to contribute." He says "well... uh... it's my idea." I say "Well, I already know your idea, so I don't need you." I'm trying to make a point, but he gets real defensive and starts spouting out legal threats.

I wasn't going to work a thousand hours at $0 per hour at a frivolous idea with dubious odds of making him rich.

This guy thought "Hey, if this pans out, I'll pay Drowlord what he's worth. If it doesn't, Drowlord gets nothing." He invests nothing, I risk everything.

Intention
A lot of conversations go nowhere, because nobody is listening to each other. Nobody agrees to anything, and time is wasted. If you're in a situation like that, it helps for one person to be stop talking, and listen to the other.

Commentary
This seems like a basic communication skill. I guess a lot of people don't learn it.

Intention
Two people with complementary skills can accomplish more together, than they can accomplish apart.

Commentary
This assumes that both people have skills, and that they are complementary in a "synergize" sort of way. If you have an unskilled partner, it doesn't work. If you have a lazy partner, it doesn't work. In fact, there are a lot of factors that kill this "habit."

I ascribe to the theory of "thirds". The middle third of any organization accomplishes about one third of all work. The top third of an organization accomplishes about two thirds of all work. The bottom third of an organization accomplishes nothing and/or hinders the progress of the other two thirds.

This theory contradicts the idea that everyone has something to contribute.

Intention
You should take time to learn new skills, and sharpen your existing skills.

Commentary
I can't believe how many people just don't think much about their future. I spend tons of time taking classes, earning certifications, working on free-lance projects and generally working on my career. A big portion of the reason I have a personal web site is to give me something that I can show, and something that I can experiment with.

I have a coworker who's about 40. He hates his job, but he doesn't have a college degree. He doesn't have any certifications. He doesn't have marketable skills. Very few of my friends are working towards their future.

One of my closest friends thinks that he's an over-achiever... Yet he's almost unemployable, and his "strongest" skills are five years stale. He's nibbling at the nichiest of niche markets, and he's perpetually unemployed. He's lost everything he had (home, car, retirement, savings, friends, relationships, etc)