@shotbyqt

Avery Bradley is a sophomore at MHS who accomplished more her freshman year than most students will in all four years of High School. By the end of her freshman year, Bradley had qualified for state in Cross Country, broken the school’s 400-meter hurdle record twice, and was the only female athlete at MHS to qualify for the prestigious Drake Relays. Avery’s excellence follows her into the classroom as well. At the top of her class, it’s fair to say that Avery applies herself in all that she does. 

But what most people don’t see is the hours of hard work that Bradley puts in whether it’s on the track, in the classroom, or at home. Avery is the embodiment of proactivity. By definition, this means that she regularly acts in anticipation of the future, whether that be future obstacles, changes, or successes. Proactive people take responsibility for their lives and what happens to them and believe that they are in control of their future outcomes. 

Avery is self-motivated– a trademark of proactivity. Whether it’s staying after practice to get an extra workout in, or coming on Sunday afternoons to get extra reps on hurdles, she pushes herself daily. This consistent dedication warrants her success. 

“ Even though it gets really hard, it’s so rewarding when the hard work pays off,” Bradley explained. 

Proactive people set goals. Their minds are future-oriented and therefore plan accordingly. In today’s world, people often expect success to happen overnight, but in reality, the day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit. Meaning, the day you set the goal is not the day you reap the reward. But the combination of setting a goal and working diligently toward it is a key aspect of proactivity that Bradley embodies. 

When asked about her goals for this season, Bradley states, “I want to go to Drake again, and then place higher at state.” Adding, “My goal right now is top three…It’d be cool to make the podium.”

The third indicator of a proactive person is their ability to bounce back when a problem arises. This is also known as resilience. On the track, it’s easy to observe this quality in Bradley. After an event, she analyzes her race and consults her coaches about ways she can improve for next time. It’s really easy for athletes in the moments after their race to get frustrated with themselves. But Bradley has a trust in her abilities and a peacefulness in the knowledge that a bad race (by her high standards) is not a bad season. According to Bradley, this mentality came from years of dance. 

“Dance helped me develop a strong work ethic and build my endurance.” She explained.

The combination of these traits: self-motivation, goal-orientation, and resilience, are all major contributors to Bradley’s success. The proactive nature that Bradley has developed will serve her well in the future, instilling a sense of self-confidence that she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life. 

It’s important to remember that success is often the result of hard work that happens behind the scenes, driven by consistent effort. Proactivity is at the core of that process, making it an essential trait to develop. Like any skill, being proactive can be strengthened over time through practice and dedication.