--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Proactive people focus their efforts in…" description: "\"“Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about. The nature of their energy is po..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/stephen-r-covey-1501_circle-of-influence_proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in_740231.jpg" --- # Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of… ![“Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about. The nature of their energy is positive, enlarging and magnifying, causing their Circle of Influence to increase. Reactive people, on the other hand, focus their efforts in the…” quote by Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/stephen-r-covey-1501_circle-of-influence_proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in_740231.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/stephen-r-covey-1501_circle-of-influence_proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in_740231.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/stephen-r-covey-1501_circle-of-influence_proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in_740231.jpg) > ““Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about. The nature of their energy is positive, enlarging and magnifying, causing their Circle of Influence to increase. Reactive people, on the other hand, focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern. They focus on the weakness of other people, the problems in the environment, and circumstances over which they have no control. Their focus results in blaming and accusing attitudes, reactive language, and increased feelings of victimization. The negative energy generated by that focus, combined with neglect in areas they could do something about, causes their Circle of Influence to shrink.”” [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People who act proactively concentrate on what they can control, expanding their influence, while reactive people dwell on external problems, shrinking their impact. **In simple terms:** Proactive focus grows influence; reactive focus shrinks it. Key Takeaway Shift focus to controllable actions. Themes proactivity influence control mindset Mood motivational analytical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - workplace - personal goals - team meetings - conflict resolution Key Concepts personal development leadership psychology Questions to Reflect On - What concerns can you turn into actions? - How does your focus shape your results? A Different Perspective Reactive focus can lead to helplessness if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circle of influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circle-of-influence/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Negative energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-energy/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) ## Related quotes > [“Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in-the-circle-of-influence-they-2/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“Reactive people are driven by feelings, by circumstances, by conditions, by their environment. Proactive people are driven by values—carefully thought about, selected and internalized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/reactive-people-are-driven-by-feelings-by-circumstances-by-conditions/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“Sadat was able to use his self-awareness, his imagination and his conscience to exercise personal leadership, to change an essential paradigm, to change the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/sadat-was-able-to-use-his-self-awareness-his-imagination-and-his/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [The ability to subordinate an impulse to a value is the essence of the proactive person. Reactive people are driven by feelings, by circumstances,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-ability-to-subordinate-an-impulse-to-a-value-is-the-essence-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Righteous women in their circle of influence, beginning in the home, can turn the world around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/righteous-women-in-their-circle-of-influence-beginning-in-the-home/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Wherever you are, that’s your stage, your circle of influence. That’s your talk show, that’s where your power lies. ... You have the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/wherever-you-are-that-s-your-stage-your-circle-of-influence-that-s/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [There is so much we can do to render service, to make a difference in the world - no matter how large or small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/there-is-so-much-we-can-do-to-render-service-to-make-a-difference-in/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The place to begin building any relationship is inside ourselves, inside our circle of influence, our own character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-place-to-begin-building-any-relationship-is-inside-ourselves/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“Become skilled in the process of selecting whom you allow into your circle of influence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mensah-oteh/become-skilled-in-the-process-of-selecting-whom-you-allow-into-your/) [Mensah Oteh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mensah-oteh/) > [“Select your travel companions carefully. Your life companions create your circle of influence. Invest in the ones that will help you drive forward. http://journeycharms.com/charms-store...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-digeronimo/select-your-travel-companions-carefully-your-life-companions-create/) [J.J. DiGeronimo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-digeronimo/) > [“Select carefully and continuously review your circle of influence, and be unapologetic about who you exclude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mensah-oteh/select-carefully-and-continuously-review-your-circle-of-influence-and/) [Mensah Oteh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mensah-oteh/) > [“Be a solution provider to challenges or issues; the more you proffer solution, the more your circle of influence grows and the more your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anikor-daniel/be-a-solution-provider-to-challenges-or-issues-the-more-you-proffer/) [ANIKOR Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anikor-daniel/) > [Every answer you seek is already somewhere in your circle of influence!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-answer-you-seek-is-already-somewhere-in-your-circle-of-influence/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Proactive people can carry their own weather with them. Whether”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/proactive-people-can-carry-their-own-weather-with-them-whether/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“Be Proactive. People are responsible for their own choices and have the freedom to choose based on principles and values rather than”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/be-proactive-people-are-responsible-for-their-own-choices-and-have/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) ## More by Stephen R. Covey > [“For those filled with regret, perhaps the most needful exercise of proactivity is to realize that past mistakes are also out there in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/for-those-filled-with-regret-perhaps-the-most-needful-exercise-of/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“What lies behind us is nothing compared to what lies within us and ahead of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/what-lies-behind-us-is-nothing-compared-to-what-lies-within-us-and/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“Love is something you do: the sacrifices you make, the giving of self, like a mother bringing a newborn into the world. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/love-is-something-you-do-the-sacrifices-you-make-the-giving-of-self/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“Principles are guidelines for human conduct that are proven to have enduring, permanent value. They’re fundamental.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/principles-are-guidelines-for-human-conduct-that-are-proven-to-have/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“So I recommend reading literature, such as the inspiring biography of Anwar Sadat, In Search of Identity, and seeing movies like Chariots of Fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/so-i-recommend-reading-literature-such-as-the-inspiring-biography-of/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“My experience has been that there are times to teach and times not to teach. When relationships are strained and the air charged with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/my-experience-has-been-that-there-are-times-to-teach-and-times-not-to/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“Just as faith without works is dead, so also works without faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/just-as-faith-without-works-is-dead-so-also-works-without-faith/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“FRIEND/ENEMY CENTEREDNESS. Young people are particularly, though certainly not exclusively, susceptible to becoming friend-centered. Acceptance and belonging to a peer group can become almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/friend-enemy-centeredness-young-people-are-particularly-though/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“As a principle-centered person, you see things differently. And because you see things differently, you think differently, you act differently. Because you have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/as-a-principle-centered-person-you-see-things-differently-and-because/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“We are free to choose our actions, based on our knowledge of correct principles, but we are not free to choose the consequences of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/we-are-free-to-choose-our-actions-based-on-our-knowledge-of-correct/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the root.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/for-every-thousand-hacking-at-the-leaves-of-evil-there-is-one/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“Breaking deeply imbedded habitual tendencies such as procrastination, impatience, criticalness, or selfishness that violate basic principles of human effectiveness involves more than a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/breaking-deeply-imbedded-habitual-tendencies-such-as-procrastination/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“man you might like to take her out. If you were”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/man-you-might-like-to-take-her-out-if-you-were/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“Start with the end in mind. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/start-with-the-end-in-mind/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“the very problem created the opportunity to build a deep relationship that empowered us to work together as a strong complementary team.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/the-very-problem-created-the-opportunity-to-build-a-deep-relationship/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) [Explore all 230 Stephen R. Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) ## More Circle of influence quotes > [“Love is something you do: the sacrifices you make, the giving of self, like a mother bringing a newborn into the world. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/love-is-something-you-do-the-sacrifices-you-make-the-giving-of-self/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [Our character is mainly shaped by our primary social community - the people with whom we eat, play, converse, and study.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/our-character-is-mainly-shaped-by-our-primary-social-community-the/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [The place to begin building any relationship is inside ourselves, inside our circle of influence, our own character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-place-to-begin-building-any-relationship-is-inside-ourselves/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“Be a solution provider to challenges or issues; the more you proffer solution, the more your circle of influence grows and the more your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anikor-daniel/be-a-solution-provider-to-challenges-or-issues-the-more-you-proffer/) [ANIKOR Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anikor-daniel/) > [“Select carefully and continuously review your circle of influence, and be unapologetic about who you exclude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mensah-oteh/select-carefully-and-continuously-review-your-circle-of-influence-and/) [Mensah Oteh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mensah-oteh/) > [“Tune your antenna to the highest frequency possible to attract people of substance; increase your circle of influence intentionally.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anikor-daniel/tune-your-antenna-to-the-highest-frequency-possible-to-attract-people/) [ANIKOR Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anikor-daniel/) > [“Select your travel companions carefully. Your life companions create your circle of influence. Invest in the ones that will help you drive forward. http://journeycharms.com/charms-store...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-digeronimo/select-your-travel-companions-carefully-your-life-companions-create/) [J.J. DiGeronimo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-digeronimo/) > [God will always bring the right people into your life, but you have to let the wrong people walk away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/god-will-always-bring-the-right-people-into-your-life-but-you-have-to/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Habit 7 is taking the time to sharpen the saw. By renewing the four dimensions of your nature - physical, spiritual, mental and social/emotional,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/habit-7-is-taking-the-time-to-sharpen-the-saw-by-renewing-the-four/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The Genius Pattern = Thy will be done with my talents with my circles of influence with the opportunities that are laid out in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-allen/the-genius-pattern-thy-will-be-done-with-my-talents-with-my-circles/) [Robert G. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-allen/) > [All things are created twice, but not all first creations are by conscious design. In our personal lives, if we do not develop our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/all-things-are-created-twice-but-not-all-first-creations-are-by/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“Become skilled in the process of selecting whom you allow into your circle of influence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mensah-oteh/become-skilled-in-the-process-of-selecting-whom-you-allow-into-your/) [Mensah Oteh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mensah-oteh/) > [“Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in-the-circle-of-influence-they-2/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [Every woman whether rich or poor, married or single, has a circle of influence within which, according to her character, she is exerting a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-angell-james/every-woman-whether-rich-or-poor-married-or-single-has-a-circle-of/) [John Angell James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-angell-james/) > [If you want to upgrade your circle of influence, it begins with upgrading yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/if-you-want-to-upgrade-your-circle-of-influence-it-begins-with/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) [Browse all 25 Circle of influence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circle-of-influence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about. The nature of their energy is positive, enlarging and magnifying, causing their Circle of Influence to increase. Reactive people, on the other hand, focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern. They focus on the weakness of other people, the problems in the environment, and circumstances over which they have no control. Their focus results in blaming and accusing attitudes, reactive language, and increased feelings of victimization. The negative energy generated by that focus, combined with neglect in areas they could do something about, causes their Circle of Influence to shrink.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen R. Covey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in-the-circle-of-influence-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Circle of influence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in-the-circle-of-influence-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/stephen-r-covey-1501_circle-of-influence_proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in_740231.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/stephen-r-covey-1501_circle-of-influence_proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in_740231.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d4/stephen-r-covey-1501_circle-of-influence_proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in_740231.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do…” — Stephen R. Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Stephen R. Covey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Proactive people focus their efforts in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in-the-circle-of-influence-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/proactive-people-focus-their-efforts-in-the-circle-of-influence-they/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```