Why Do We React Rather Than Be Proactive? Especially in Investing.

Every year during Raya, we scroll through tragic headlines: road accidents, fatalities, families torn apart. And every year, we think: “That could’ve been me. Maybe I should really start planning better—emergency fund, insurance, a will maybe…”

But more often than not, we don't act.

Why is it that we'd have to wait for something bad to happen before we consider planning and preparing only to realise that it might be too late?? So in simpler terms - why are we more reactive than proactive?

This mindset shows up everywhere — our careers, our health, our relationships, and especially our finances. And to understand it, we need to look at the core of a  very human conflict: instant gratification vs. delayed gratification.

Why Are We So Reactive? (Blame Your Brain)

We’re hardwired to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Our limbic system, the emotional part of the brain, is quick to respond to rewards — especially instant ones. It releases dopamine, the “feel good” hormone, every time we experience something pleasurable: likes on a post, a new purchase, a sweet treat.

The prefrontal cortex — responsible for planning, logic, and long-term decision-making — takes more effort to activate. In short: the brain is built to crave now and question later. This was useful for survival (see food, eat food before it goes bad), but what about in today's world? It’s why we:

• Doom scrolling instead of exercising
• Spend instead of save
• React instead of prepare

Add modern-day temptations like Shopee flash sales, Buy Now Pay Later, and TikTok-fueled trends that makes satisfying these urges easily and it’s no wonder we're conditioned  to chase short-term highs.

Being proactive, however, requires delayed gratification. It means taking something away from the now (time, money, pleasures) for something greater and better later

But for many of us, the now is too cozy — and the future feels optional. Even though everyone will come to realise that the future is unavoidable.

Islam Has Always Taught Us to Be Proactive

This isn’t just psychology — it’s deeply spiritual.

The Quran says:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11)

In other words, your outcome is tied to your action. Not just your hopes. Not your dua alone. But your willingness to take action and determine the future you want. Be it for this world or the hereafter.

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

“Tie your camel and trust in Allah.” (Tirmidhi)

This hadith is timeless. Trust (tawakkul) isn’t passive. It's not “pray and In Shaa Allah”. It's: Do your part. Take the steps. Then leave the results to Allah. Planning, saving, investing — all of these are forms of tying your camel.

Islam has also taught us the truest sense of delayed gratification, in that our good deeds will be the investment for the hereafter. To do good without the expectation to see it come to fruition.

What Fuels Action? Pain & Desire (But Still Reactive)

Let’s be honest—most of us are only motivate for change when we:

• Hit a wall (pain)
• Really want something (desire)

Pain is a push: Losing a job, getting a medical bill, realizing you have zero savings.

Desire is a pull: Wanting to study overseas, buy your dream home, or retire early.

Both are valid. But both are reactive. You're responding to emotion.

But the best kind of action? The one that happens before the emergency.

The Marshmallow Test — And the Power of Sacrifice

In the 1970s, psychologists conducted a famous experiment called the Marshmallow Test. Children were given a marshmallow and told: "You can eat one now. But if you wait 15 minutes, you’ll get two."

Most kids wouldn't wait and took the one marshmallow,  and only a few actually waited.

The interesting part? Researchers followed up with these kids years later. The children who waited — who practiced delayed gratification — scored higher on academic tests, had better health, and were more successful in life.

The ability to delay gratification was a better predictor of success than IQ.

In Islam, we’re trained in delayed gratification all the time:

• Fasting teaches us to delay physical pleasure for spiritual growth.
• Zakat teaches us to give away wealth today for barakah tomorrow.
• Salah teaches us to pause life five times a day for eternal reward.

To sacrifice the present for the future is prophetic 'sunnah'.

How This Relates to Investing

Investing is another form delayed gratification in action.

It’s choosing to spend less now, so you can enjoy more later. You trade today’s wants for tomorrow’s (financial) freedom.

Let’s look at a simple comparison:

Being reactive in investing looks like:

• Chasing hot stocks or meme coins
• FOMO buying when market booms and panic selling during dips
• Waiting for the “perfect time”

Being proactive looks like:

• Setting aside emergency fund before investing
• Automating your monthly investment and taking benefit of compound growth
• Long term outlook on achieving goal, steady and persistent.

So What Can You Do Now?

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. You just need to start small — and stay consistent.

For Investing:

• Automate it: Set a recurring deposit. Most apps let you do this in 5 minutes. Set it once, forget it, and let it grow.
• Start small: RM60/month is doable for many. It’s one dinner or a few bubble teas. Let your money work for you.
• Don’t watch it daily: Investing is not a slot machine. Check in every few months, not every few minutes.
• Invest before you spend: Treat your future like a bill you pay first.

For General Life:

• Create a “guilt-free” fund: Budget for fun money. Deprivation leads to burnout. Balance is key.
• Control your triggers: Unfollow influencers who fuel FOMO. Mute sale alerts. Use the 48-hour rule before buying.
• Visualize your goals: Put up a photo of your dream house, retirement plan, or debt-free date on your wall.
• Use friction: Make bad habits harder. Want to stop online shopping? Delete the app. Hide your credit card.
• Find accountability: Share your goals with a friend. Start a savings challenge. Talk to someone about your plan.

From Reactive to Intentional

At the end of the day, most regrets come from inaction. Not starting sooner. Not planning ahead. Not investing when you could. You can keep outsourcing your life to “Future Me.” Or, you can take back control now.

The marshmallow test, the Quran, the market — they all point to the same truth:

Those who wait, win.