Response-Ability

While the word proactivity is now fairly common in management literature, it is a word you won't find in most dictionaries. It means more than merely talking initiative. It means that as human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. We can subordinate feelings to values. We have the initiative and the responsibility to make things happen.

subordinate: to treat as of less value or importance

conducive to something: making it easy, possible or likely for something to happen

Reactive people are also affected by their social environment, by the "social weather." When people treat them well, they feel well; when people don't, they become defensive and protective. Reactive people build their emotional lives around the behavior of others, empowering the weakness of other people to control them.

反應過敏的人會受到社會環境、「社會氣候」的影響。當人們對他們好時，他們就會感覺很好；當人們對他們不好時，他們就會變得防衛性和保護性很強。反應過敏的人的情感生活建基於別人的行為，讓別人的弱點反過來控制自己。

Proactive people are still influenced by external stimuli, whether physical, social, or psychological. But their response to the stimuli, conscious or unconscious, is a value-based choice or response.

積極、富責任感的人仍然會受到外界刺激的影響，無論是生理、社會或心理上的刺激。但他們對刺激的反應，無論是有意識或無意識的，都是以價值為基礎的選擇或反應。

misery: great physical or mental pain

exclaim: to say something suddenly and loudly, especially because of strong emotion or pain

demise: death

crucible: a place or situation in which people or ideas are tested severely, often creating something new or exciting in the process

forge something: to put a lot of effort into making something successful or strong so that it will last

testimony: a formal written or spoken statement saying what you know to be true, usually in court

transcend: to rise above or go beyond the limits of

bridesmaid: a young woman or girl who helps a bride before and during the marriage ceremony

protracted: ​lasting longer than expected or longer than usual

faculty: ability

agony: extreme physical or mental pain

an affirmative word or reply means ‘yes’ or expresses agreement

Online Dictionaries Used:

www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com

www.merriam-webster.com

Translated with the help of DeepL and Edited

Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"