Success Is A Choice Ch 4

Initiative: Key to Success

• Momentum is key: Action creates momentum, making tasks easier and problems less daunting. Success starts with the first step.
• Initiative is crucial for potential: To reach full potential, demonstrate initiative. This is the first step to achieving any goal.
• Start, then go anywhere: Location doesn't determine destiny; initiative does. Starting and consistently taking action lead to greater achievements. Les Brown's career is a prime example of this.
• Confront fear, don't let it control you: Fear is natural, but don't let it paralyze you. Action conquers fear. Skydiving example shows how facing fear often eliminates it.
• Seize opportunities: Be proactive in identifying and acting on opportunities; don't delay until perfect conditions exist. Being 80% sure and acting is better than 100% certainty (which may never come).
• Life is difficult, but response matters: Life's challenges are inevitable; how you respond to them is critical. Proactive action leads to better outcomes instead of passively waiting. Don't let uncompleted tasks weigh you down!

Developing Initiative

• Responsibility is key: Accepting responsibility for your life is crucial. Accept setbacks and obstacles; initiative is crucial. Expecting someone else to solve your problems is a setback, not initiative.
• Examine and address your inaction: Identify reasons for inaction, separating legitimate reasons from excuses. Are you afraid of consequences? Demanding motivation from others instead of self-motivating? Waiting for perfect timing? Avoid excuses and find ways towards taking action in the present.
• Focus on benefits, not just the task: Identify positive outcomes to complete a task instead of focusing just on the negative aspects. Consider financial gains, enabling further action, emotional closure, or career milestones.
• Share your goals with others: Support from others is critical for achieving large goals. Sharing dreams with supportive people is a risk worth taking for encouragement and assistance.
• Break down large tasks: Divide overwhelming tasks into smaller, manageable parts. Prioritize tasks by importance and sequence to create a timetable and deadlines. Assign tasks to various people, according to their respective abilities. Coordinate teamwork

Common Reasons for Lack of Initiative

• Consequences of inaction: Ignoring the negative repercussions of inaction. An example is the ant, which diligently stores food. Conversely, laziness leads to poverty.
• Need for external motivation: Relying on others for motivation. Successful individuals are self-motivated; reliance on others is unreliable and unproductive. Hire motivated people, don't try to motivate them.
• Seeking the perfect timing: Waiting for the ideal time to act. Action requires risk. Procrastination can lead to missed opportunities.
• Preference for tomorrow: Focusing on future tasks rather than immediate actions. Take control of the present; tomorrow can never guarantee the same opportunities.