Initiative is the vital ingredient of motivation that we have absolute control over. When we take the initiative, we launch ourselves into the process of working towards our goals. Here’s a five step process to help us seize the initiative and get into action:
Chunk it down. Break your task down into small manageable steps. After that it is just a matter of doing these steps in their order of priority. This way you are not overwhelmed and tempted to procrastinate.
Courage and commitment. Have the courage to make a real commitment to seeing the process through to completion. Be accountable to someone. Tell them what you plan to do and let them hold you accountable to your word. Research shows that making the commitment publicly keeps us to our word more than if we simply made it privately. A true commitment gives you no option for retreating or quitting.
Just do it. Just get started doing what you can to make your dream a reality. Momentum is established with your first step so take that first step as soon as possible. You gain tremendous power from starting. You break the inertia and set yourself up to begin getting results. Your results can give you vital feedback that can be used to make the proper adjustments. If you never get started you will not have this information to work with. Your tasks will appear to be bigger than they really are because you are not doing anything.
Believe in yourself. Believe that you will be successful. Believe everything will turn out OK before you even start. Have faith that your actions will lead to your obtaining what you want. It is easier to take initiative when you do so having faith in yourself and your ability to achieve whatever you set your mind to achieving.
Make mistakes. It’s okay to make mistakes. Really! Use them as learning opportunities. Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, is quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Mistakes and failure happen on the way to achieving something meaningful. Don't let mistakes get you down. If you dwell on your missteps long enough you will become scared that you will make another mistake. Fear of failure can stop you dead in your tracks. Learn from your failures and keep moving forward. Use them as a foundation for your success.
Other great quotes from Thomas Edison:
“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”
“Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.”
“Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.”
“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are: Hard work, stick-to-it and common sense.”
“If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.”
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