Why do people divide into those who 'pull chestnuts from the fire' and those who do not?

Where does the source of proactivity lie?

Recently, I had the opportunity to rethink my own values.
Basically, I maintain a proactive stance toward any work I do.
Even if it is in a new field or something that feels a bit overwhelming,
the core mindset I have is,
'If it is necessary, and if doing it helps someone, then I want to do it.'

This is not just a matter of spirit; there is also a more practical side to it.
Taking on work that no one else has done leads to skill improvement and
also leads to an increase in presence.
Through the challenge, there is also a sense of being recognized for who I am.
As a result, I gain a solid sense that I am walking my own life on my own two feet.

On the other hand, there are people in the world with completely different values.
Unlike me, they want to avoid risks as much as possible.
They are the type who do not understand the point of going out of their way to take on difficult tasks.

• 'Why should I have to pull chestnuts from the fire?'

• 'I am not in trouble as things are now. There is no need to grow.'

• 'It is fine to prioritize myself first.'

• 'Myself before altruism.'

Where do these differences in values come from?
This time, I would like to delve a little deeper into this question.

1. Source of difference ①: Structure of early life experiences and success experiences

A high level of proactivity is often fostered by past success experiences or the feeling that 'if I act, things will change.'

• Achieving results when challenging something

• Actions having a positive impact on those around you

• Increasing 'self-efficacy' by accumulating small successes

People with many such experiences naturally have a circuit that says, 'If I do it, I can do it,' and 'Therefore, I will do it.'
Conversely, if one has many experiences of failing at a challenge and being blamed, one tends to lean toward risk avoidance.

In other words, proactivity is not a personality trait, but is formed from 'life data' based on 'what happened as a result of me acting.'

2. Source of difference ②: Is the center of values 'self' or 'relationships'?

People have an 'axis of values that serves as the center of action.' Broadly speaking, there are the following two types.

• Self-centered worldview (one's own stability and peace of mind are top priority)

• Relationship-centered worldview (contributing to others leads to one's own meaning)

Highly proactive types tend to fall into the latter category.
The very fact that 'someone will be helped by my actions' becomes the motivation for their behavior.

Conversely, for those with the former set of values, a challenge is a 'threat'.
This is because the potential loss is great and the potential gain is unclear.

3. Source of difference ③: How one views the time axis for the future

Highly proactive people think along a time axis where 'current efforts build the future self'.
This can be called future-oriented or growth-oriented.

On the other hand, risk-averse people tend to have a time axis limited to the 'now'.
Their mindset is that 'maintaining the status quo is optimal' and 'it is enough if there are no current problems'.

The difference in the length of the time axis significantly changes the choices one makes in behavior.

4. Source of difference ④: Self-perception structure (sense of presence)

Proactive people perceive that their own value increases by 'taking action'.
That is why they believe their presence is updated through their actions.

On the other hand, the risk-averse type places value on 'protecting their current position'.
Change is a risk, and maintaining the status quo is a safe zone.

Differences in cognitive structure surface as differences in values.

5. Source of difference ⑤: Differences in the definition of altruism/self-interest

Proactive people understand that altruistic behavior also becomes 'self-interest'.
They feel that by contributing to others, pride and meaning for themselves are born.

On the other hand, self-interest-centered people perceive 'altruism' as something separate and 'unrelated to themselves'.

In reality, the boundary between the two is ambiguous, and
altruism and self-interest circulate like two sides of a coin.
That difference in perception creates the difference in behavior.

6. Source of difference ⑥: The sense of 'pleasure' and 'displeasure' regarding self-growth

For proactive people, 'growth' is sometimes painful, but ultimately close to pleasure.
There is joy. There is meaning. That is why they can continue.

On the other hand, for risk-averse people, growth is a 'burden',
and when they perceive it as 'I must grow,' the displeasure becomes stronger.

In other words

• Growth = Pleasure

• Growth = Burden
  —this difference influences behavior.

Summary: It is natural to have differences in values

People who can act proactively and those who cannot.
This difference is not innate, but is formed by the accumulation of multiple factors, such as experience, cognition, values, and how one perceives the future.
Therefore, it is natural to be puzzled by the principles behind others' actions.

This is because a person's values are the very 'story of their life'.

Finally, I would like to pose a question to the reader.

Where does your proactivity come from?
And what kind of story has formed the values of the people around you?

Noticing these differences may be the starting point for dialogue.