Taking The Initiative
Why is it so important? And where are we taking it?
When applying for a new position, whether it’s for a bachelor’s degree, masters, job or other, “taking the initiative” is quality that usually looks pretty good on your CV. But what does it mean exactly? And how can we truly take the initiative in our everyday lives? When researching initiative and its meaning, I came across another way of phrasing it: the power to originate something. A power. An unattainable superpower to some and a natural gift to others. Taking the initiative isn’t always as easy as it seems. You have to be confident that you’ll do the task right, in the know of how to complete the task, and most importantly, are you motivated? You show initiative when you do things without being told and you overcome challenges through trial, error, and persistency. Employers like to know that they’re hiring someone who is capable and can think under pressure. The courage to take the initiative is what allows employees to grow, teams to innovate and organizations to overcome their competition.
So what are the steps to take the initiative? Well, for those who know what they want from life it’s actually pretty easy, assuming that you have the other means to get there. If you want to be a chef, you go to culinary school. If you want to be a doctor, you go to med school. A pilot will go to an aviation academy and so on. But what about those of us who don’t know what we want to do? How can we take the initiative? The first step is to build self-confidence. For me, it’s this blog. For you, it could be putting your CV out there, or starting to research a bachelor programme, or even writing down that million-dollar idea! For starters, set small achievable goals. In the school of Positive Psychology, once you have those feelings of accomplishment, your confidence in your ability to achieve will begin to grow, and with that, the complexity of your goals. Stepping stones. They’re important.
Next, you need the opportunity to show initiative. In a business, it can be easier. You can see where someone else might be slacking, or you’ll notice a method to increase efficiency. The same can sometimes be said for everyday life. For one week, write down everything that you’ve done that day and on the weekend evaluate it. We’re our own worst critics so let’s use that to our advantage. Find the gaps on your day and make it more efficient. Instead of scrolling through Instagram, pick-up a book. Don’t just like a Facebook picture, message the person! Create a connection, spice up your day, look for opportunities to improve. Persistence is another key needed to take the initiative. Self-doubt, feelings of being “too busy” and other barriers will always be there to block you. And if you want them too, they will become never-ending excuses as to why you haven’t taken the initiative. It’s important to listen to your body and mind and take it easy when that’s needed, but push yourself to know the difference between needing to rest and needing to be resilient.
With that in mind, the fourth and final note to take away from this exploration is balance. In the workplace, the initiative can sometimes come from a place of naivety. Maybe things are done a certain way for a reason. And the same can be said in life. Mental health can be a huge barrier that is often out of our control. Listen to yourself and respect your boundaries, but try to pay attention to that little optimistic voice in your head that’s trying to take the initiative.
You have the power to originate something, to take the initiative to try and become a better you. Try your best, it’s all anyone can ever ask for.
Thanks for reading x
References:
Frese, M. &. Fay, D. (2017). Taking Initiative: Making Things Happen in the Workplace. Retrieved from Mind Tools Website. Emerald Works.
Frese, M., & Fay, D. (2001). Personal initiative: An active performance concept for work in the 21st century. Research in Organizational Behaviour, 23, 133–187.
Lunsford, L. G. (2013). Emergent Goals In Mentoring. In D. C. Susan David, Beyond Goals: Effective Strategies for Coaching and Mentoring. Gower Press.
Rawlings, L. J. (2016). What Is Initiative And Why Is It Important? Youth Employment UK.
