Talent is Never Enough Chapter 3: "Initiative Activates Your Talent"

So it has been a while since I have posted a blog regarding my reading. The truth is, I had the opportunity to read 6 chapters of my book on the flights to and from Poland, and I'm going back to revisit each chapter to check the notes I made. Hopefully now that school has started I can get into a routine of blogging.

"Talent-plus people don't wait for everything to be perfect to move forward. They take initiative." - John Maxwell

I think that a lot of people truly struggle to take initiative. Maxwell goes on to explain that if you want to reach your potential, you have to show initiative. He then continues to give reasons why initiative must be taken.

1) Initiative Is the First Step to Anywhere You Want to Go: This idea got me to thinking what would the world be like if NOBODY were to take the initiative on something. Somebody has to be the first. That is pretty scary, because being the first makes you vulnerable...but leaders look past that fear. It is also important to realize that you HAVE to follow through once you initiate!

2) Initiative Closes the Door to Fear: We all have fears. Maxwell explains that you have a choice, either the fear controls you or you control the fear. It sounds so simple when typing it, but application of this principle is so difficult. Right now I'm really struggling with some fears and getting over this with taking some initiative. Today I was worried to confront a situation, but took the initiative to do so. Was the outcome what I would desire....no. But at least I know that I took the chance to overcome that fear and initiate the conversation.

"Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Any action is better than no action at all." - Norman Vincent Peale

That being said, I think it is important that you are wise about what action you take. Sometimes, as I experienced, the results of your actions are not what you want. Taking that into account, you can then adjust your actions and take a new approach.

3) Initiative Opens the Door to Opportunity: Taking initiative does NOT guarantee that you will succeed...but not taking initiative has a greater return of failure.

"It is better to be 80% sure and make things happen than it is to wait until you are 100% sure because by then, the opportunity will have already passed you by." - John Maxwell

4) Initiative Is Often the Difference Between Success and Failure: Don't wait to have somebody tell you wait to do, because you may wait yourself to failure. If you have a good thought, idea, or intention...act on it. Only through acting on them are you taking initiative and action for yourself. Also, it doesn't matter how talented you are...without initiative you will NEVER reach your potentials.

In the second half of this chapter, Maxwell goes on to explain what a person looks like who lacks initiative. Rather than focusing on this, I'm going to list the characteristic and personality traits of these individuals. As you read them, think about them. Does the list below better describe you? If so, refer up to the benefits of taking initiative and see the benefits. If you struggle with this, take baby steps. Pick you early battles carefully...but nonetheless, you have to pick a battle. Below is the list of characteristics of individuals who lack initiative...

1) People who lack initiative fail to see the consequences of inaction

2)People who lack initiative want someone else to motivate them

3) People who lack initiative look for the perfect time to act

4) People who lack initiative like tomorrow better than today

The bottom line is that it is often easier to abide by the above list. But easier is not always better. As stated earlier, you have good ideas, but they will never become more than ideas unless you act on them!

Below are some suggestions Maxwell makes on how to become a talent+initiative individual, along with some added commentary by myself. I want to continue to remind you that this is NOT easy and not always safe. When talking about investing in the stock, you can choose high risk stock with high reward potential, or low risk stock with low reward potential. To not take initiative would be to invest in NO risk stock and have NO reward potential!

1) Accept responsibility for your life: Responsibility & initiative are inseparable. We will all experience setbacks, we all face obstacles, but we need to show initiative anyway. Dick Butler said it best when he exclaimed,

" Life isn't fair. It isn't going to be fair. Stop sniveling and whining and go out and make it happen for you."

2) Focus on the benefits of completing a task: I know that a pros & cons list is kind of dorky, but sometimes we focus so much on the cons we forget there are benefits to a decision or task. More importantly, to become effective & make progress in your area of talent you can't spend your valuable time on unimportant or unnecessary tasks.

3) Share your goals with a friend who will help you: This is hard for me. I struggle to share goals because that means others will know if I fail or not. A couple weeks before leaving for Poland, I decided I needed to lose weight. I had a goal of being under 200 lbs before school started but I shared that with very few people. I made that goal, but if I didn't then nobody would know of my failures. No my goal is to be under 180 by my birthday. If you read this blog, you now have the opportunity to hold me accountable!

"There is no way to put a value on the assistance that others can give you in achieving your dreams. Share your goals and dreams with people who care about you and will encourage you in accomplishing them." -John Maxwell

REMEMBER, PREPARATION INCLUDES DOING

Due to time and not losing EVERYBODY'S attention, I skipped a few points Maxwell added. It is crazy how God puts lessons in your life and the right times. The above phrase is SO important. As an educator, I've learned that if I prepare and don't do, and my student's know it, I lose their respect and trust. The same applies for my wife and friends. You have to be willing to take the initiative, regardless of the risks that may come with it. Follow that you know is the right thing to do. If you are uncertain to whether it is right or not, seek counsel from friends, family, and most importantly...GOD! He will guide you through all the tough decisions and protect you. It won't always be easy, but following God's path ensures you are on the right track. Be assured that He won't give you more than you can handle, and decisions will be a little easier to make!