"If nobody answers, I'm going to start picking on people," the teacher warned.
I hated those moments in school. The silence in the room felt so tense. I didn't want to be called on. I didn't want to fumble through the answer and look stupid. Nobody did. We anxiously glanced at one another, relieved when someone finally spoke up.
One day I got wiser. I realized that if I participated in class in some small way, the teacher wouldn't call on me later. I wouldn't be caught unprepared. I wouldn't break concentration from what I was doing - usually homework for another class. I'd have played my part.
So I looked for windows of opportunity to speak up early: A question I knew the answer to. A current event I had an opinion on. A call for volunteers to read a passage. These were all fair game. Instead of reacting to circumstances, I contributed - insofar as it was possible - on my own terms.
This idea applies beyond the classroom as well.
Speak up for assignments you want at work - so you wouldn't be stuck on projects you don't care for.
Volunteer for responsibilities you excel at - or risk being assigned where you will struggle, frustrated.
Quit a toxic job on your own timeline - rather than getting burned out and then being asked to leave.
To be clear, this is not about taking shortcuts. Being proactive isn't necessarily easier. In fact, it may require more preparation and effort. Your windows of opportunity may not stay open for long.
The difference is: You operate from a position of strength, not weakness. With forward momentum, not being caught off guard. Work still needs to be done. But instead of reacting to circumstances, you do it on your own terms. And that makes all the difference.