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Look at a current problem that you
are avoiding. Write down what you find difficult then
ask someone to help you brainstorm possible solutions.
Use these ideas to create a step by step plan to address
the problem and then implement this plan.
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If necessary, set up systems that
encourage you to be proactive, if it does not come
automatically. For example, set up a tickler file to
remind you to do planning. Do an exercise in which you
look at the upcoming periods of time and deliberately
search for opportunities that you can exploit
successfully. Rank the opportunities, and set specific
plans to take advantage of them.
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Limit the amount of time you take to
make a decision. Set a goal to act on an opportunity by
a specific date. Do it.
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Read business case studies and
practice making decisions on the case situations
quickly. Discuss your decisions with others and ask for
their feedback. By practicing your decision making
skills and getting feedback on your success you will be
improving your ability to act decisively in real
situations.
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When faced with a pressing issue,
present solutions, not just problems. Recommend a
solution when you present a problem to a co-worker or
Team Leader. Get feedback about your solution and
collaborate to determine appropriate next steps.
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Take persistent steps, despite
resistance or apprehension, to gain support and achieve
desired outcomes with others. Be prepared to "sell" your
position by presenting the logical basis for it. Be
willing to consider alternatives and options that may be
more appropriate.
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List things you believe need
improving and check regularly for actions you have
taken.
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Ask yourself what proposals/ new
ideas/ new way of doing things you have made recently.
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Volunteer to resolve an immediate
crisis situation to improve your ability to act
decisively. Instead of focusing on one potential cause
for a problem, concurrently investigate multiple
possible reasons for a problem. This will get you to a
solution more quickly. Limit the amount of time you take
to make a decision.
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Anticipate a potential crisis
situation and develop action plans by quickly assessing
the scope and impact of the potential problem including
who is affected, deciding who needs to be involved in
solving the problem, diagnosing the causes of the
problem, generating alternative solutions, and
implementing the most probable solutions, keeping in
reserve a contingency solution if possible.
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Analyze a "mistake" that, at the
time, seemed like the right decision. Ask yourself and
others involved in or affected by the decision what
could have been done differently. Apply this knowledge
to a similar situation in the future.
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Review your current projects or
accountabilities and find ways to achieve greater
efficiency, productivity, or quality. Do not focus on
short-term gains, rather use this technique to
familiarize yourself with the process of
continuous-improvement over the long-term.
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Take a broader look at the work being
accomplished around you and think about ways to improve
long-term performance. Then identify and work with a
person who demonstrates a high level of initiative.
Explore how this individual identifies events in which
initiative can be taken. Use this individual's input to
broaden your options by identifying ideas you had not
previously considered.
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Reward yourself in some meaningful
way as you achieve specific steps, components, or
milestones toward your goals. This will reinforce your
ability to build upon short-term gains in order to
achieve a larger objective.
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Use "force-field analysis" to focus
your efforts:
Step 1: Describe what you want to accomplish.
Step 2: List every obstacle that stands in the
way of what you want to accomplish -- Restraining
Forces.
Step 3: List everything that would help you to
accomplish your objective -- Promoting Forces.
Step 4: Categorize every item listed in steps 2
and 3 as: - Things that I can control directly (e.g., my
own time). - Things over which I have indirect control
(e.g., my company's budget; others' use of time; others'
commitments). - Things over which I have no control.
Step 5: Examine your list of the forces over
which you have no control and see whether you can exert
indirect control through extra effort.
Step 6: Prioritize the restraining and promoting
forces over which you have direct and indirect control
using the following criteria: - You can do something
about it. - It will bring you closer to your objective.
Step 7: Choose the high-priority items over which
you have control, and which will have a big impact on
attaining your objective, and set an action plan with
activities, dates, and anticipated outcomes.
Step 8: Share your action plan with someone; ask
that person to monitor the results with you.
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Look at what factors are putting a
damper on your motivation. (What in your work life most
saps your energy? What most energizes you? What
challenges are seen most worth while?)
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Talk with people in higher management
levels about their role and what it takes to be
successful.
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Reinforce yourself with rewards for
achieving goals.
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After your first reading of each
in-basket item, take as much action as possible on that
time. Avoid the temptation to set things aside.
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Focus on how you can make things
happen rather than how it "can't be done".
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Focus on results, not just on
activities or long hours.
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Work to eliminate the need to seek
unnecessary permission or approval.
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Get involved in activities that make
you feel excited and alive, both at work and in your
personal life.
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Avoid negative self-talk and increase
positive self-talk.
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Review progress on your goals and
objectives regularly and often.
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Write down your personal statement of
the results to which you are committed and in which you
will invest your time and energy.
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Initiate activities without being
told to do so.
