I have to tell you about this one particular skill that has extremely high value in the marketplace. In fact, it is a skill that all employers, all managers, and all clients are looking for. It is a skill that has the potential to multiply your productivity and make you more money. It is a skill that you must master if you want to succeed in business, in your career, and in your family life. And it’s so, so simple…

I actually shared this skill a couple weeks ago on a Monday Night Strategy Call. But that call was jam-packed, so you may not have been able to get on. I just didn’t feel right about not sharing this content with you, so I’m going to give you a quick inside look at it now.

Now, I could tell you that initiative is a skill that you must master. I could tell you how high the skill of initiative ranks in my own professional opinion. I could tell you that it will massively increase your value in your workplace and in your home, and that it will help you get massive bonuses and promotions. I could even tell you that initiative will set you apart as a leader in your place of labor, whether you are in a leadership position or not.

But that doesn’t help you at all…

You’ve got to understand exactly what initiative is, why it’s important, and how to use it.

So, what is initiative, exactly? According to Merriam-Webster, initiative is defined as "initiation of action, independent of outside influence or control"

Initiative is when you see something that needs to be done and you do it without having to be told. It’s going the extra mile. It’s learning new skills so you can do your job better, whether that job is a stay-at-home parent, a business owner, or an employee.

Initiative has extremely high value in the marketplace. Employees and managers, as well as customers and clients love working with people who have initiative. It makes their lives so much easier!

See, when employees have initiative, it saves the boss time (and time is money…). The boss or manager doesn’t have to worry about whether or not things will get done. Instead, they trust that the employee is taking care of things.

It works the same way in the home. I hate to break it to you, but if your house or your car is a mess, that shows a lack of initiative. It shows that you are waiting for someone to show up and clean it for you. But there is no cleaning fairy, no laundry fairy, no cooking fairy, no debt fairy, no grocery fairy. It takes initiative to get up and get things done around the house!

Imagine if your kids mastered the skill of initiative. What would your home look like? Do you think your productivity in the home would improve? Imagine what your kids’ future would look like if they mastered the skill of initiative at a very young age!

When you have no initiative, you teach others that they can’t trust you to get the job done. You show them that you are not dependable. In fact, a lack of initiative is actually what trains your boss to micromanage you! It shows that they have to babysit you if they want things to get done. This causes major stress for your boss, your manager, or your clients.

Remember earlier when I said that initiative is a skill that most people will not learn or use? Initiative sets you up as a leader, regardless of your title or position. When you have initiative, you will be known as the dependable one – the one who will go above and beyond to get things done. While everyone else points out a task that needs to be done and says, "Oh well, that’s not my job", you will be the one that steps up takes care of it. Do you see how this sets you apart?

Initiative requires you to take ownership of your job, your business, or your home. It requires you to find a need and fill it. And sometimes, it requires you to step up and ask questions.

You can take initiative by learning more about your job or business and furthering your skills on the side. If you see that your skills are lacking in a certain area, ask for help or take a class that will help you advance your skills in that area. Become a problem solver. Always seek solutions.

So right now, I want you to evaluate yourself. Look at yourself objectively. How would you rate your initiative? Don’t evaluate yourself based on how you think your initiative is – rate your initiative based on your results!

If you are lacking initiative, see if any of these "initiative killers" are present:

Laziness – Laziness KILLS initiative. Initiative brings motivation, but a lack of initiative opens the door to laziness. There is never a problem with lack of motivation. There is no "I’m just not motivated to do it". There is only a lack of initiative. When you lead with initiative and you are looking for holes to fill and looking to get results, motivation comes automatically.

Lack of determination – Initiative brings determination. Initiative sets the foundation from the very beginning, and you will be determined to follow through and get the job done.

Fear – Fear kills initiative, but action kills fear.

All of these things will kill your initiative. Luckily, initiative is very simple and very learnable.

If you really want to get good at initiative and increase your value in the marketplace, I’d suggest you go listen to the Strategy Call I mentioned earlier.

I am so excited to watch as you master this skill, because I know that it will massively impact your business, career, and family. I can’t wait to hear your results!

In great faith,