How much initiative you take can be determined by your level of confidence at work. So how do you increase your confidence so that it spurs you take more initiative?
Simple ways of increasing your confidence include: being good at your job and having a record of accomplishments, being knowledgeable about your subject area, increasing your skill levels and competence .
Paying attention to details, not making excuses, knowledge of both the big picture and the nitty gritty, building alliances and networks at work, supporting colleagues and supporting your boss.
Other ways entail working on your posture and body language, speaking with confidence and projecting your voice well, participating in meetings, keeping your supervisor updated, planning your work and meeting deadlines
Having goals and meeting them, being well prepared, dressing well and comfortably, smiling, stretching yourself, going beyond your comfort zone, being kind to yourself and practicing positive self-talk.
15. How to Pitch a Proposal or Idea to Your Boss
When you have a proposal or a new idea, write down the idea, list the major benefits of the idea, list the drawbacks and disadvantages, explain what resources would be required to implement the idea, how to execute and implement the idea, what are the implications if the idea is not implemented and a timeline for implementation.
Prepare a one or two page outline that covers the points above then schedule a good time to meet with your boss.
Send your boss the proposal in advance. On the day of the actual meeting present your idea confidently, anticipate any questions that might be asked and prepare yourself adequately.
You might get an answer immediately or you might get it later on. In either case be prepared for either a yes or no answer.
Seek to gain as much insight and feedback as possible if the answer is no and use this as a learning lesson for your future pitches.
16. How to Maintain Your Enthusiasm at Work
Your level of enthusiasm affects how much initiative you take and how self-motivated you are to go the extra mile.
Firstly, enthusiasm and love for what you do will take you further than when one is unenthusiastic about their work.
Granted everyone has good days and bad days at work, the key thing is to on balance strive to have more better days.
Enthusiasm is infectious; it can be transmitted from one person to another. It makes the work environment fun and stimulates creativity.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines enthusiasm as “strong excitement about something or a strong feeling of active interest content in something that you like or enjoy.”
Maintaining enthusiasm takes effort. Routine at work can cause loss of enthusiasm. Without enthusiasm apathy and complacency can set in. This can lead to coasting or doing just enough to keep you going.
Boost your enthusiasm through talking to colleagues and cultivating healthy work relationships, attending industry events and conferences, interacting with customers, reading widely, getting mentors and learning new skills.
Similarly maintain your enthusiasm level through seeking feedback, setting mini challenges for yourself, organizing your work area and decorating it, reading motivational quotes and re-reading kudos or congratulatory notes from your boss or colleagues.
Other ways of maintaining your enthusiasm include writing down your career goals, going outdoors and enjoying nature, taking a break and teaching others.
More ways entail taking small steps to achieve big goals, taking time to do personal reflections, taking time off, writing down your ideas and taking care of the basics such as sleeping well, eating breakfast and lunch, drinking water, dressing well and planning your day well.