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Workplace Essentials ||
Taking Initiative
Taking the initiative is a crucial step in moving forward in our professional and personal lives. By showing initiative, it reflects us in a positive light to others as well as builds our own self-esteem. If we want something to happen, we need to make it happen. That is what initiative is all about. Take opportunities and run with them. Do not let excuses cause you to miss out on amazing opportunities. See what you want, believe what you want, and make it happen.
With our “Seeing and Taking Initiative” workshop, the class participants will learn what initiative is, how to take it on, the advantages of it, and when to know one’s place. By enrolling in this class, participants will be taking the first step in making something positive happen for them! Now that is initiative!
Objective:
- Identify what initiative looks like
- Recognize when you can take steps outside the normal
- Build confidence for themselves
- Learn to find opportunities
- Learn good and bad aspects of initiative
- Balance initiative and restraint
Introduction :
Getting Started
From before we start our first job, we often dreamt about what career we wanted to have when we grew up. Soon, we start the journey to find the job we want to have and discover ways to make it happen. But that’s only half the battle. Once you’ve landed the job you want, you have to know ways to not only stay in your job field, but also excel in it.
Module 1 :
What is Initiative?
Initiative is something we can all use in our careers. It is what sets us apart from others and our competition. Many people are afraid to take the initiative, but if you can, you will stand out. Initiative is deep down inside all of us, but the successful ones are the ones who use it.
Module 2 :
Take a Chance
Life is about chances. Even if you are not ready to take a chance, just do it. It may change your personal and professional life in a positive way. Taking chances is what life is all about, and to get ahead you need to take that risk. Step outside of your box, and take that chance.
Module 3 :
Recognize When You Can Step In
When taking initiative, it is important to understand timing. You need to know the correct time to step up, and when to know your place. If you can make a situation better, you should. Take initiative when you can. Try to make a difference.
Module 4 :
Recognize When You Can Go Outside the Normal
Are you in a rut in life or at work? Snap out of it! Although normal is easy and part of our routines, stepping out of our box can make a world of difference. Now the important step is realizing when we can go outside the normal. We need to take the time to figure out when it is appropriate and when it is not. Consider yours and others’ cultures and values and see how stepping outside of the normal will be affected by those. Also determine your scope of authority. It may not always be appropriate for you to step outside of the normal. Now, make proper and well-thought out decisions before taking action!
Module 5 :
Weighing the Consequences
Before any decision is made, always think about the consequences. You should think about the consequences for acting as well as not taking action. Every action has a reaction, remember that. You need to take the time to think about various scenarios and then choose the best route of action for the scenario. Always act wisely.
Module 6 :
Good or Bad
Taking initiative can be done for good reasons, but sometimes bad reasons. It can be a good idea or bad idea. When taking the initiative, you need to think about the action all around. Think about why you are doing it and what will happen because of it. You need to take the time to determine where your action will take you and how it will affect others. Taking the initiative is not black and white. There sometimes needs to be a lot of thought that goes into it. Always think before you act, and work to ensure a positive outcome.
Module 7 :
Confidence
Confidence is important to have in the workplace. It is a feeling of self-assurance. A confident person appreciates their own abilities and qualities. Confidence demands attention, and usually gets it. Having confidence in the workplace is a value tool that can help you get ahead and get you what you want.
Module 8 :
Find Opportunities
A great quality for employees to have is the willingness to look for and find opportunities. Opportunities are all around us. What matters is that we take advantage of the opportunities in front of us. Try with every opportunity that comes your way.
Module 9 :
Be Persistent
Being persistent is your path to success. Success is based on persistence. You have to work for it. A persistent person has to have discipline. It's important to set goals and follow through with them. Never give up. You will never know what you can accomplish until you work towards a goal.
Module 10 :
Balance Initiative and Restraint
Part of taking the initiative is knowing when to take action and when to take a step back. You have to know your place in both the professional setting and personal setting. Initiative is not only about going for it; it is also about knowing and understanding the correct timing for it. Know when it is acceptable to take action.
Conclusion :
Wrapping Up
Although this workshop is coming to a close, we hope that your journey to Take that Initiative is just beginning. Please take a moment to review and update your action plan. This will be a key tool to guide your progress in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. We wish you the best of luck on the rest of your travels!