SHIINE study: Day 3; Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (review)

initiative activates talent!

Introduction:
Where are you today? What have you done yet with your talent? Like the popular saying, every journey begins with the first step, the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. The author advises that Talent-plus people don't wait for everything to be perfect to move forward, they understand that momentum is their friend. They take initiative.

Below are reason the author thinks we should take initiative.
1. Initiatives is the first step to anywhere you want to go.
2. Initiatives closes the door to fear.
3. Initiatives opens the door to opportunity
Initiatives ease life's difficulties
5. Initiatives is often the difference between success and failure.

Furthermore, he listed and explained reason why not everyone takes initiatives which are;

1. People who lack initiative fail to see the consequences of inaction:
The author believes that whatever we neglect or procrastinate about will end up catching up with us. We he said, those who never take initiative often end up doing nothing.

2. People who lack initiative want someone else to motivate them:
"Successful people don't need a light fuse to motivate them. Their motivation comes from within" author. The author insist that if you want to get ahead, you need to light your own fire.

3. People who lack initiative look for the perfect time to act;
Acknowledging the importance of timing, the author still advises that it's also worthwhile to endeavor in life's risk. Saying that, "for many people, the tragedy isn't that life ends too soon, it's that they wait too long to begin it.

4. People who lack initiative like tomorrow better than today stating clearly that it's not wise to be waiting on tomorrow while the moment is left unchecked, he quoted Simmy Lyons that, "tomorrow is the only day in the year that appeals to a lazy man" he warns, "the idea of tomorrow often hold false promises".

TALENT + INITIATIVE = TALENT-PLUS initiative.

Here are suggestion by the author to help you as you strive to become a talent-plus person in this area.

1. Accept responsibilities of your life:
Starting with the words of the greek philosopher Socrates, the author writes, "to move the world we must first move ourselves". Not denying the fact that responsibilities and initiatives are inseparable, he warns that even when we are faced with all obstacles that we need to show initiative anyway.

2. Examine your reason for not initiating:
What made you quit? Was that the right thing at that moment? In Mencius words, the author writes, "if your deeds are unsuccessful, seek the reason in yourself. When your own person is correct, the whole world will turn to you".

If your reason are excuses (blaming someone or something), you really need to eliminate them. Once done, you can turn your attention to the reasons and how to overcome them.

3. Focus on the benefit of completing the task:
When your eyes is constantly on the glory, you will be willing to pass through the story. Like the author said, "focus on what you will get out of it(task) if you get it done, this will help you jump the hump".

4. Share your goals with a friend who will help you.
"Like we discuss about fire-lifters in the previous chapter, the author suggest that you talk to someone(who of course is a fire-lighter). Accepting the fact that it can be risky, but again said those risks are worth taking. Fire-lighters will help you take initiatives.

5. Break large task down to smaller ones:
Divide it by categories, prioritize it by importance, order it by sequence, assign it by ability and accomplish it by team work.

6. Allocate specific time to tasks you procrastinate:
Scheduling a specific time for something you don't like doing, the author believes will help overcome the difficulty of not starting that thing.

7. Remember preparation includes doing:
In all, the writer stated in Micheal E. Angier words, "ideas are worthless. Intentions have no power. Plans are nothing...unless they are followed with action. Do it now".

To-Do
1. List the reason why you don't display greater initiative. Mark each entry with E(excuse) or R(reason). Try and eliminate E!
2. What causes you to procrastinate?
3. Think about something you strongly desire to do but are currently afraid of.
4. What are you currently neglecting that is preventing your talent from becoming activated? Try using the no 5 of Talent-plus steps!

Remember, you are my HOPE. Trust me, I trust that you are great...start today, tomorrow might be late. Keep SHIINE'ing'...