American author, Robert Allen, famously said, “Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone”. Many of us feel an immense inertia that discourages us from stepping out of our comfort zone. Our mind is crafty, concocting all sorts of reasons to prevent us from making that move. These mental blocks, like fear of failure and fear of rejection, hold us back from using the most potent tool of success, namely taking initiative.

The Power of Initiative: A Success Tip for All Students

So, what exactly is taking initiative? Writer Cameron C. Taylor offers an insightful definition: “It is doing the right thing without being told.” But he further elaborates that rewards vary based on our initiative levels. 

His study highlighted that rewards enhance interest and performance in people when they’re linked with attainable performance standards. These rewards can be categorized as the following:

• Verbal Rewards: Our findings indicate that verbal rewards, like praise, generally increase performance and interest.
• Tangible Rewards: In contrast, tangible rewards (like money or candies) might decrease performance if they are expected and given merely for task participation, without considering the quality of performance.
• Effect on Tasks Based on Interest Levels: In tasks with low initial interest, rewards can actually increase performance. This suggests that rewards can effectively boost motivation in tasks that initially have little appeal. On high-interest tasks, rewards can have positive effects if they are explicitly tied to performance standards and success. Negative effects occur when rewards signal failure or are loosely connected to behaviour.

The negative effects of rewards are not general but specific to certain conditions. By designing reward systems appropriately, considering factors like initial interest in the task, the type of reward, and clarity of reward contingency, rewards can be effectively used to increase motivation and performance.

This categorisation brings to the forefront the importance of taking initiative, not just once, but making it a habit. Ask yourself, which category do you fit into?

Looking to Achievers for Inspiration

If you look around and listen to the stories of achievers, you’ll always find them filled with instances of initiative. The lives of the Wright brothers, who fearlessly defied societal beliefs and expectations, provide excellent examples of the power of taking initiative. William J. Tate, a man who assisted the Wright brothers, wrote about their early endeavours, shedding light on how overcoming fear of failure was crucial to their success.

The Wright Brothers: Taking Initiative Despite Opposition

In 1899, the Wright brothers began their flight experiments while running a bicycle repair and sales shop. The earnings from this venture supported their living expenses and funded their aviation pursuits. 

Over the next four years, they conducted thousands of tests and flights, even creating the world’s first wind tunnel in 1901. In just two months in 1902, they made over 700 glides. Finally, on December 17, 1903, they achieved their dream of a controlled powered flight, effectively giving birth to modern aviation.

Overcoming Fear of Failure: The Wright Brothers’ Legacy

Think about this for a moment: would all of this have been possible if these two young men had stayed bound by their fears? Their story serves as an excellent personal growth tip for students: harnessing audacious thinking can help overcome the fear of failure and rejection.

Here are some other success tips for overcoming fear of failure as well as the fear of rejection:

• Adopt a Growth Mindset: Viewing failure as an opportunity for personal growth rather than a setback is vital. Embrace the fact that everyone fails at some point and that it’s a fundamental part of the learning process. The key is to learn from your failures, adapt, and move forward with newfound knowledge.
• Set Realistic Goals: If you set achievable, measurable, and specific goals, you are more likely to succeed. Breaking down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks can make the journey less daunting and reduce the fear of failure.
• Practice Resilience: When faced with rejection or failure, it’s important to cultivate resilience. This can be done through self-care practices, maintaining a positive attitude, and seeking support from others. Remember, failure or rejection doesn’t define you, it’s how you respond to it that matters.
• Visualise Success: Use the power of positive visualisation to overcome fear. Imagine yourself achieving your goals and facing challenges confidently. This practice can improve your self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and help you to develop a positive approach towards tackling your goals.
• Accept Fear: Acknowledge that fear is a natural part of taking on new challenges and stepping out of your comfort zone. Rather than trying to eliminate fear, learn to manage it and use it as motivation to push yourself further. It’s the first step towards personal growth and success.

Use these tips as an opportunity to grow, propelling you towards your ultimate success.

Personal Growth Tips: From an Average Idea to Outstanding Success

An implemented average idea is a thousand times better than an unimplemented great idea. Knowing the way won’t take you there, you’ve got to come out of your bed, put on your shoes, and start moving. This determination to break free from the status quo, to fight the inertia holding you back from taking initiative, is what differentiates achievers from the rest. 

• Embrace New Experiences: Actively seek new experiences and challenges to expand your perspectives and gain a diverse range of skills.
• Practice Mindfulness: Cultivate mindfulness to stay focused, reduce stress, and enhance your emotional intelligence.
• Prioritise Self-Care: Ensure you are taking care of your mental, emotional, and physical health. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep are crucial for maintaining balance and energy.
• Lifelong Learning: Commit to continuous learning, whether through formal education, online courses, reading, or other means to foster a mindset of growth and adaptability.
• Develop Emotional Intelligence: Enhance your emotional intelligence to better understand and manage your emotions, thus improving your relationships and decision-making skills.
• Seek Feedback: Regularly seek feedback from others, using it as a tool for personal and professional development.
• Invest in Relationships: Cultivate strong relationships, both personal and professional, as they can provide support, inspiration, and opportunities for growth.

Even small steps matter, as long as you’re moving forward. So, hold on to your dreams, set your goals, and begin your journey. Your success is only an initiative away.