Secrets of Networking, Part 10

The tenth point from a blog by Charlie Robertson from the book “Deserve What You Get” by Jay Levinson is:

10. Initiative – starting something is important, but you must carry it through and complete it. This earns respect from the people you are with.

Actually, initiative and follow-through are two different animals. You may start something, but I may have to finish it.

It is my observation that most people have little to no initiative. They like the status quo and dislike change unless it favors them. Most seldom start any new project and oppose those who do.

Therefore, those who do have initiative are to be encouraged and mentored to continue volunteering, continue creating new ideas, continue connecting the dots, and continue stepping out on the edge.

Not finishing what you start is not always wrong. If you learn after you start that you are going the wrong way, then stopping or turning directions is wise indeed.

Most successful entrepreneurs are self-initiators. Most intrapreneurs (entrepreneurs within a corporate structure) are self-initiators. Most jobpreneurs are self-initiators. Most fail – many times; but the winners get up and keep learning, keep trying new ideas, and keep reaching for the stars. They may not reach the stars, but I would rather be surrounded by those with initiative than those who sit on the bench.

It is said that Thomas Edison tried over 10,000 ways to create the light bulb. He got up from each failure with the knowledge that he learned from the last failure how to not repeat the same mistake and then initiated a new approach, and a new approach, and a new approach…until he succeeded. Then he began on his next initiative. If you tour his old factory, I am sure that you will see many ideas that never made the light of day. Yet many of his inventions changed America.

Be an initiator. Then, add to that trait persistence, perseverance, and never giving up. Eventually you will succeed.

The smartest initiators start something and then surround themselves with those who implement their ideas. Many of them are called business owners.

My advice, the hardest step is to get started. Get up. Get started. Get help to accomplish your goals.