If you’ve been following along, we’ve been building a powerful hypothesis: the Achiever Mindset can be trained. At the heart of this idea lies a crucial question:  

Are you working on your business, or are you working in your business?  

Let’s take this one step further: Are you working proactively on your life, or reactively in your life?  

The Measure of Proactivity vs Reactivity  

Consider Charles Swindoll’s quote:  

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”  

Take a moment to reflect. How often are you reacting to life rather than proactively taking steps to shape it? When challenges arise, do you feel confident that your responses align with your values, your mission, and your vision? Do you trust yourself—and your team—to respond thoughtfully and effectively?  

To gain further clarity, let’s explore this through Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix. Assign percentages to each quadrant based on how much time you spend in these activities.  

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Covey’s Time Management Matrix  

Quadrant I: Important/Urgent

Activities in this quadrant are crises that demand immediate attention.  

- Crisis management  

- Pressing problems  

- Deadline-driven projects  

Quadrant II: Important/Not Urgent  

These activities build the foundation for long-term success. This is where proactive work happens.  

- Prevention activities (creating job descriptions, training staff, developing processes)  

- Relationship building (team bonding and coaching)  

- Identifying new opportunities  

- Planning and strategic thinking  

- Personal recreation and self-care  

Quadrant III: Not Important/Urgent 

These are distractions disguised as urgent tasks.  

- Interruptions (emails, phone calls, unproductive meetings)  

- Proximate, pressing matters  

- Popular activities (scrolling through social media)  

Quadrant IV: Not Important/Not Urgent  

These are time-wasting activities with little to no value.  

- Trivia and busywork  

- Mindless entertainment  

- Personal indulgences  

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Urgent vs. Important: A Key Distinction  

Covey emphasizes that urgent tasks require immediate action—they press on us, demanding attention. The ringing phone, the sudden meeting, or the unexpected email pulls us in. These activities are often *visible*, which makes them seem important. They’re also popular and, ironically, often enjoyable—like scrolling through your phone or rushing to answer every message.  

In contrast, important tasks focus on outcomes. These activities contribute to your values, mission, and high-priority goals. They don’t usually demand your attention in the moment, which makes it easy to neglect them. But investing in Quadrant II is how we build a solid foundation for success.  

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Mastering Quadrant II: A Real-Life Example  

People with an Achiever Mindset understand the importance of Quadrant II, though it often takes time to develop the necessary skills.  

Take my sister and brother-in-law as an example. My sister, Emily, was a school teacher with a personal mission statement: “Live the Better Story.” She embodied this mission through her daily routine. Every morning at 4:45 a.m., she started her day with journaling and gratitude, followed by a 30-minute workout (shoutout to FitnessBlender), a healthy breakfast, and time with her kids before heading to school.  

At school, Emily was a hub of positivity. Teachers knew they could stop by her classroom for a piece of chocolate or a few words of encouragement. Her proactive mindset allowed her to approach each day with intention, supporting others while staying true to her values.  

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When Life Hits Hard: Why Proactivity Matters  

Then life took an unexpected turn. Emily was rushed to the ER, and the next 17 months were spent in the ICU—a harrowing journey that demanded every ounce of strength. But Emily and Jeff had already been living in Quadrant II, which gave them the resilience to face this challenge. Their proactive habits—deep breathing, meditation, prayer, and knowing their values—became their lifeline. They leaned into their truth, confronting each hurdle with grace and grit.  

This is the power of living in Quadrant II. It prepares us for life’s storms, helping us stay grounded when the unexpected happens. Whether you are running a business, managing a team, or navigating personal challenges, the Achiever Mindset ensures you stay aligned with your values and goals.  

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Can You Train the Achiever Mindset?  

Absolutely.  

But let’s be honest—it’s not easy. Life is difficult, but the moment you realize that you have control, everything changes. That’s when the real fun begins, because you know that every moment presents a choice: How will you respond?  

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Need Help Getting Started?  

If you feel overwhelmed by the urgent demands of life and business—caught in the whirlwind of back-to-back meetings and endless crises—it’s time to shift gears.  

We have a solution—and we know you can do this. You've trained for marathons, completed century rides, and tackled countless challenges. Now, it’s time to focus on what matters most: your responsibility as a human being. Prioritize the essential work of becoming the best version of yourself, for both your life and those around you.

Join a community of like-minded individuals committed to developing the Achiever Mindset. If you’re ready to refine your approach to life and business, email me, Leslie Cunningham, directly at [email protected]t. Mention that you’ve read this article to the end, and you’ll receive a discount code for a life-changing class.  

It’s time to step out of the reactive mode and into the driver’s seat. Are you ready to take control? The journey begins with a single step or email.