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Proactive vs Motivated - What's the difference?

proactive | motivated |

As adjectives the difference between proactive and motivated

is that proactive is acting in advance to deal with an expected change or difficulty while motivated is enthusiastic, especially about striving toward a goal.

As a verb motivated is

past tense of motivate.

proactive

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Acting in advance to deal with an expected change or difficulty
  • We can deal with each problem as it pops up, or we can take a proactive stance and try to prevent future problems.

    Usage notes

    Some consider proactive to be a buzzword, and it is associated with business-speak.The good grammar guide, by Richard Palmer, 2003, p. 157 Depending on use, alternatives include active, or “show initiative” instead of “be proactive ”.

    Synonyms

    * anticipatory * forward-looking

    Antonyms

    * reactive

    Derived terms

    * proactively * proactivity * proactiveness

    References

    * The Word Detective, Issue of February 5, 2001 ----

    motivated

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (motivate)
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Enthusiastic, especially about striving toward a goal.
  • We're looking for a highly motivated individual who will fit into our fast-paced corporate culture.
  • * 2001 , Norman E. Wallen, Jack R. Fraenkel, Educational Research: A Guide to the Process , page 177,
  • It seems reasonable to assume that academically able students are more motivated' toward academic activities than those less able, and that students from higher socioeconomic levels are more ' motivated toward school than those from lower socioeconomic levels.
  • * 2009 , J. Dan Rothwell, In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups and Teams , page 373,
  • In every instance, she has expressed enormous frustration with social loafers—virtual group members whose lackluster motivation leaves the bulk of group projects to members who are more motivated to excel.
  • * 2010 , Leif H. Smith, Todd M. Kays, Sports Psychology for Dummies , page 47,
  • As an athlete, you'll feel more motivated when you're confident in your skill set and believe in your ability to continue to improve.