Inspiration from Claude Monet
“No one is an artist unless he carries his picture in his head before painting it, and is sure of his method and composition.” – Claude Monet
A proactive person can be described as someone who takes control of situations through preparation, rather than responding to them after-the-fact. Monet did this by planning ahead for his paintings, and being in the right place at the right time to capture the scenery and lighting conditions that he was looking for.
Claude Monet, as an Impressionist painter, worked quickly to get the bare impression of sunlight shining on his subjects. The painting titled Impression Sunrise was one of his first to be shown at an exhibit, and is where the term Impressionism came from. In this painting, Monet depicted another group of individuals who were quite proactive – fishermen who are already casting their nets in the bay when the sun comes up.
Being Proactive is all about initiative and personal accountability. I am proactive when I schedule time each morning to draw in my sketchbook instead of getting an extra 15 minutes of sleep. I am proactive when I choose to paint a picture instead of binge-watching Netflix all night long. I am proactive when I take responsibility for my mistakes, and correct my errors. I am proactive when I choose to brush away negative influences and focus on the positive.
What steps can you take to Be Proactive in your personal life? In your career? In your relationships? In what areas are you ready to take charge, make better choices, and hold yourself accountable?
Check out the Newquii Shop for original artwork and prints, including the painting above.