How to Improve your Personal Initiative
How to Improve Your Personal Initiative
Personal initiative is the power to act on your own decisions, rather than waiting for someone else, or circumstances to force your hand.
You can improve your level of personal initiative by taking the following steps:
- Note the benefits to be gained by acting on your own initiative.
- If it's to be, it's up to me!
- Trust your own judgement.
- Don't wait for other people's permission or opinion.
- Apply the DO IT NOW principle.
1. Note the benefits of acting on your own initiative.
There are three ways that you can gain an advantage:
- You can wait for Lady Luck to give you the advantage,
- You can wait for someone to offer you an advantage, as an act of kindness or charity.
- You can create an advantage by acting on your personal initiative.
You may have to wait a long time for your luck to change, or other people to give you their advantages.
Create your own advantages by acting on your own initiative.
2. If it's to be, it's up to me.
Adopt the philosophy that "If it's to be, it's up to me".
"For things to get better, I must get better".
Isaac Newton's first law of motion states that "bodies remain motionless, or continue in a straight line, unless acted upon by a force".
In other words, your life will keep going on unchanged, unless and until you apply the force of your will, to change it.
Assume that if you want things to get better, you must do something to make them better.
3. Trust your own judgement.
Many people lack personal initiative because they don't trust their own judgement. They don't act, because they are afraid they may make a mistake.
To remedy this problem, you need to make a commitment to yourself that you will trust your own judgement.
If you do happen to make a mistake, then you will learn from it. Therefore, even making mistakes can be a benefit since you gain personal experience.
"Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement." Simon Bolivar (1783 - 1830) Venezuelan military and political leader.
4. Don't wait for permission or opinion of others.
When it is safe to do so, act without asking the opinions of others.
Become mentally self-sufficient.
Obviously, this only applies to situations in which you have enough knowledge and it is safe to act, but in most circumstances, pretend there is NOBODY to turn to for advice.
Trying to make decisions and solve problems using only the power of your own mind, is great mental training that will enhance your personal initiative.
5. Apply the Do It Now, principle.
The moment you have made your decision, ACT on it. Don't wait.
Act immediately, because the longer you wait, the less likely you are to do anything.
The longer you wait, the more likely it is that self-doubts will stop you, or your motivation will dissipate.
This phenomenon is called, the law of diminishing intent.
The longer you wait, the less intention you have.
So: DO IT NOW.
About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Personal Effectiveness
-
How can I stop feeling so tired all the time?
Are you wondering why you are feeling tired all the time? Would you like to have more get up and go? Instead of giving in to the lack of energy and that sluggish feeling, fight back with these top tips.
Read Article > -
Get Better Results by Taking Better Actions
If you want better results you need to take better actions. So how do you take better actions?
Read Article > -
Psychology of Success
Being successful isn't necessarily about having a good education or being super intelligent. Successful people have success-orientated mindsets. These ideologies can be learnt and practised, so you too, can become successful.
Read Article > -
Know When to Stop
Everyone needs to know went to stop; waiting for things to change, talking or eating too much, working or playing too hard.
Read Article > -
How to Decide
Decisions, decisions! We are faced with them every day. From what to eat, to whether we should change jobs. Instead of keep going over the reasons in your head, use this great method to make your decisions easier.
Read Article >
Looking for Personal Development Training?
If you're looking to develop your Personal Effectiveness Skills, you may find this Personal Development Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 23 days, Online - Teams, places available