INITIATIVE means the doing of things without being told to do them. It means the selection of a Definite Aim and the building of plans for the achievement of that aim.

Its most profitable application is in the selection of an interest group. In applying initiative and leadership, certain definite steps are essential.

The following are the most important of these steps:

Know definitely what you want: You can’t apply initiate when you do not know what you want. A man who is certain about his actions is the man people love to associate with. This is one reason ladies love men with a well defined path in life.

Build a practical plan or plans for the achievement of that which you want, making use of the counsel and advice of your interest group. This point cannot be over emphasised. No matter what you plan to do, there will always be someone who has done a similar thing or who knows someone who can help you achieve your dream. That is why you need to carefully choose members of your interest group.

Surround yourself with an organization made up of men who have the knowledge and experience essential for carrying out your Definite Aim. A man who read hotel and tourism as a course for instance, has no business in the army. He won’t have relevance there.

Have sufficient faith in yourself and in your plans to see your aim a finished reality even before you begin to carry out your plans. A lot of people give up when the face little hurdles in life. Do not let a small set back hinder your foresight.

Do not become discouraged no matter with what obstacles you may meet. If one plan fails to work, substitute other plans until you have found the one that will work.

Do no guessing but get the facts as the basis for all of your plans. They say assumption is the worst form of learning. I say guess work is the worst form of knowledge. To appear as a person of authority and charisma, you need to be knowledgeable in your chosen path. In that way, you gain attention and respect.

Do not be influenced by others to abandon your plans or your aim. There is a saying that “If you do not know where you are going, everywhere will look like it”. No matter the path you choose in life, there will always be those who think they have a better option for you. Do not allow yourself to be distracted, remain focused.

Have no set hours of labour. The leader must devote to his task whatever hours are necessary for success. Even if it means waking up by 1am to draft a proposal, wake up and do it.

Concentrate upon one thing at a time as you cannot dissipate thought and energy and still be efficient.

Whenever possible, relegate to others the responsibility of details, but have a system for checking your subordinates to see that these details are accurately attended to. Hold yourself accountable at all times for carrying out all of your plans, bearing in mind that if subordinates fail, it is you who have failed.

Persistence is the keynote to success for all great leaders. If you are going to become discouraged at the first signs of opposition or adversity, you will never become a great leader. Leadership means the capacity to assume great responsibility. If you lack the quality of persistence, you should associate with you in your interest group, some person or persons who have this quality. An efficient leader never permits himself to be loaded down with small details. One of the outstanding qualities of a leader is the ability to so organize his plans that he is free at all times to place the weight of his personal effort wherever it is most needed.

Source: http://www.bizguides.us/10-vital-steps-needed-to-apply-your-initiative-in-business/