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I am stuck looking for one word that captures the personal attribute of never avoiding issues; a concise way of saying that one deals with things "head-on" and in a timely manner.

I'd also like to phrase it a way that does not rely on a negation, such as "non-avoidant"

Update: I wasn't clear enough. The word also needs to describe a positive attribute. Thanks for suggesting "confrontational", which is an antonym, but it sounds negative to aim to be more confrontational.

The context for the word I'm looking for is: "Last year I avoided some problems, but this year I resolve to be [insert new word here]".

Any ideas?

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9 Answers 9

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How about "engaged"?

Last year I avoided some problems, but this year I resolve to be engaged.

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  • +1 except I've used up my daily quota so I can't. In OP's sentence it would be better as I resolve to be more engaged, or perhaps ...to engage more.
    – FumbleFingers
    Jul 4, 2011 at 21:25
  • Thanks @dillon. I think engaged just pips it for me, though I still feel it doesn't exactly capture all what I want. It will probably settle in with me though. Actually I'm amazed it never came to me before! Thanks.
    – TrevorJ
    Jul 7, 2011 at 9:34
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To me, the opposite of avoidance is engagement.

EDIT

A good word in your particular sentence might be diligent. It's not exactly the opposite of avoidance but I think fits better in your construction. Instead of avoiding problems, you want to be aware of them and work to solve them. Perseverance.

Last year I avoided some problems, but this year I resolve to be diligent.

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If a phrasal verb will do: seek out.

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For this, I think the nonce coinage "embracement" might work.

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  • That word occured to me as well, but I certainly wouldn't call it a "nonce coinage". It's just not that common. But I can't upvote you because I've used up my quota today. Anyway, it won't do because you can't resolve to be more embracement.
    – FumbleFingers
    Jul 4, 2011 at 21:21
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One can say

  • to face up to a problem
  • problems confronting

Edit
Taking into account the precisions included in your edited question, a number of solutions (grouped by similarity) come to mind.

  • Last year I avoided some problems, but this year I resolve to be more combative/aggressive/pugnacious!
  • Last year I avoided some problems, but this year I resolve to adopt a can do attitude!
  • Last year I avoided some problems, but this year I resolve to be more anticipatory!
  • Last year I avoided some problems, but this year I resolve to be more go-getting/feisty/spirited/determined!
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The antonym to avoid is confront, hence a person that is non-avoidant is confronting or likes to be confronted with problems.

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For your specific example sentence, I think "engaged" was the ideal choice.

For many other contexts, I add intrepid to the fray. It has a strong positive connotation.

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What is the opposite of “avoidance” is not your real question.

A way of saying that one deals with things "head-on" and in a timely manner is proactive.

"Last year I avoided some problems, but this year I resolve to be more proactive."

proactive : (of a person, policy, or action) creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened. –Google

Although being proactive would require you to be engaged, being engaged does not necessarily mean that you are tackling the problem with a proactive approach, or "head-on". 'C' students might be engaged. 'A' students are proactive.

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"Last year I avoided some problems, but this year I resolve to be strong".

ODO:

strong ADJECTIVE
2.2 Not easily disturbed, upset, or affected.

‘The new Bollywood stars are role models for them, strong, independent and bold.’
‘They are strong and independent because they have to be, not because they want to be.’

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