Joanne Kaldy, Editor

Contributing to this article:
Bob Nelson, Nelson Motivation Inc., San Diego, CA

It's another day at work. If you feel like you're in a rut or stuck in the same old routine, there is something you can do. You can take charge and work to mold your job into an adventure.

You can take the initiative to inject energy into your work, says Bob Nelson, author of 1001 Ways to Take Initiative at Work. "It starts with the realization that you're the person in charge of your own life," he says. Once you take this attitude to heart, he continues, "you can see opportunities all around you."

Fear of Failure

"Fear" keeps many people from taking initiative, Nelson observes. They are afraid that their ideas won't be accepted or understood, or they worry that they will be dismissed or ridiculed. Past experience also inspires fear. As Nelson observes, "Maybe the last time you took initiative, you got reprimanded. This could make you hesitant to try again."

Of course, few opportunities are without risks, Nelson admits. "We all have constraints," he says. However, "these constraints can completely stop you, or you can go around them and make things happen."

Making Things Happen

• Do your homework. Be prepared to offer some background information or evidence. For example, if you are recommending implementation of a new computer program, explain exactly how it will reduce errors, save time or money, or improve care or service. Have data about how the program helped another facility. "Be prepared to talk about what it will take to accomplish something, how much it will cost, etc.," says Nelson. "Break the idea into pieces. This takes some of the mystery out of the unknown."
  
• Don't get discouraged. Perseverance is key, Nelson says. "Nobody is going to be as excited as you are about your own idea. Don't get discouraged if you take it to your boss, and he or she isn't immediately enthusiastic." If management rejects an idea, ask questions that will help you determine what the concerns or objections are and how you can overcome them.
  
• Know when to move on. While Nelson counsels perseverance, he also cautions that you need to know when to give up on an idea. "If your boss has a major reservation and/or gives you solid reasons that something can't be done, you may want to move on to another idea."
  
• Learn from your experiences. Taking initiative is a learning process. If an idea is rejected or if it is instituted and doesn't work, there is much to be learned from these "failures," says Nelson. To increase your chance of success, "start with the things you're closest to," he suggests. "You're an expert on your job. Rely on your own expertise."

Why Bother?

Taking initiative takes time and effort. Why should you bother? "The most immediate impact," Nelson says, "is that your job will be more fun and more interesting." "You'll have a little more control over your own life and job," he adds. If you try taking initiative, he notes, "you just might get bitten by this bug." "You'll start envisioning lots of ways that you can make your job better and more enjoyable."

You can take initiative on a daily basis, Nelson notes. He suggests, "Volunteer to take on responsibilities that will take you closer to the things you want to know." "You'll get noticed because you're making things happen," he says, "and opportunities will tend to open up for you."

The long-range result of your efforts to take initiative go beyond your current job. Before long, Nelson offers, "other people will want you on their team. And pretty soon you're writing your own ticket."