[rayxi271828]

As a teenager, I was fortunate that my Dad bought me a copy of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey.

Quote: Be Proactive is about taking responsibility for your life. Proactive people recognize that they are “response-able.” They don’t blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. They know they can choose their behavior.

While it may be common sense/doh-so-obvious today, this was such a mind-blowing reframe for the teenage me back then, and it shaped me immeasurably as a person for the better, for the 30+ years that follow.

[rramadass]

The key point i remember from this book is the emphasis on P (Production) and PC (Production Capability). I took this to heart and have always focused on my PC (acquiring new knowledge/skills etc. in various domains) while i am delivering on my current P (i.e. doing what the job requires). Too many people get caught up with the immediate needs of the job at hand and never look beyond it. PC requires being proactive and thus needs discipline and persistence.