Why Do You Lack Initiative?

Facing complexity in your quest to achieve is a defining feature of the process, but it will also be a regular factor. There is a key characteristic of people who tend to overcome these situations and it is not simply knowledge of how to do so. It is the willingness to take action, to speak up for what one believes is the right course no matter the potential consequences. 

Unfortunately today, there is a trend of people being afraid to speak their minds. The reason is for fear of the unknown. With the entrance of new generations into the workplace, veterans of industries need to take it upon themselves to show them the ropes. However, this is just one example of the social investments professionals need to make. While training the new generation of professionals is not one of the major concerns in the world today (though it soon may be), this is touching on a more broad topic.  

To solve any problem, it takes minds that are willing to get up and do so. Problems get bigger when they sit and for an organization, sitting problems become timebombs that could result in catastrophe. This is changed when issues are met by someone with initiative. Keep in mind that this does not just apply to leadership, leaders still need subordinates who identify issues to be solved. Results of a track record that show clear initiative and problem-solving ability makes for an incredibly successful career.

So if we know that problem solving and doing what’s right is so great, then why isn’t everyone successful and living their dream life? Because it’s hard. It’s mentally taxing and will push boundaries. Learn to prioritize and execute, then you and your organization can make a difference not only for the team but for the people you serve. 

Here are some things to practice:

Boldness

One thing that never goes unnoticed is someone willing to take risks. This could be anything (as long as it is not outwardly destructive or offensive) and you may already have some ideas. Unfortunately, we commonly reside in the idea that complaining about issues and finding others who agree will somehow make a difference. This is only a depletion and waste of energy that could be spent taking action.

Opportunity Seeking

Especially in an entry-level job, looking for ways to get ahead or prove you can do more is a sure way to demonstrate initiative. Actions of the initiative will not go unnoticed and the accumulation will build rapport with superiors. If not to advance your role, keep track of them for yourself so you can reflect on what you’ve done and how it’s helped you. 

Collaboration

Don’t think initiative is something you take alone. Talk to others about what your goals are, and ask for help. Being reluctant to ask for help is not an uncommon behaviour, especially in the workplace. Again, it stems from the fear of the unknown, which is very common but is a roadblock to advancement.  

Don’t React, Act

This is a critical thinking tool that removes impulse and emotion from the equation of problem-solving. Reacting to a problem could mean many things, but it often keeps your feet planted. Acting on a solution is based on an analysis of the situation, which will then identify the necessary methods to overcome. 

Conclusion

Initiative is not easy, it will push your comfort zone, but the rewards that come allow you to look back on what was hard and be thankful you did it. Prioritize your development, reach out to others and ask for help. You then pay that back down the line by helping people whose shoes you were once in.

We work with successful companies to increase their net profits using exceptional custom software solutions, contact us here to see how we can help your business grow!

What is Fintech?

Think about how you can access pretty much anything so easily that your location hardly matters. You can send money to someone in another country, you can order anything to your doorstep in a matter of days, even minutes and hours. These changes are a result of our desire for innovation. With each new development, our standards as consumers rise and we begin to demand more.

Turn the clocks back 100 years, everything we have today would be unimaginable, we even laugh at how inefficient the inventions of those times were. Yet, even the inventions of hundreds or thousands of years ago were leading to what we have today. This rate of development will be endless, generations 100 of years from now will laugh at the technology we think is great. If you want to keep up during this time, you should acknowledge this change and adapt to it.

Now the term “Fintech” (born out of a combination of the words “financial” and “technology”) is a broad term with many different aspects. Some examples that will ring a bell are PayPal or GoFundMe, Cryptocurrency, online banking… get the idea? The true wide spreading of fintech comes when major companies get involved. Tech companies like Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Facebook are major players in this field. Each of these highly trusted companies now offers a banking outlet. Why? Haven’t they done enough? Nope, and they see the potential this business has for the future. 

So why is this concept of fintech important? What does it mean to you? Here are some aspects of fintech that contribute to modern society:

Ease of Transaction

No matter who you are or where you are, you can buy nearly anything in an instant. Even the need to go to physical stores seems to be less relevant in this day and age. Additionally, what relevance does cash have other than the knowledge that your bank account didn’t change from a purchase? Need to pay someone back? One swipe and it’s done. 

Cost-Effective

Businesses and individuals can avoid hidden fees present with traditional banking. Instead, sending and receiving payments comes at a more reduced cost while being transparent about where the fees go. Why is that? Because fintech services are not deposit institutions, they operate virtually and are flexible. 

Customized Experience

Fintech services tend to be able to figure out the interests of their consumers. Think about how Instagram or TikTok shows you content that is relevant to your interests. This is the same concept, and while one may think “oh they want me to keep consuming” they are giving you access to the things you deem necessary. 

Security

You’ve most likely heard the term “blockchain” and probably rolled your eyes because you have no idea what it means. Going back to the ease of transaction feature, the blockchain is what makes this possible. When you send money somewhere, it is stored in this database for the transaction to be tracked and verified.

Still Only The Beginning

The features of fintech today are already amazing, but there is still confusion for some as to what it does. The good news is, that the state of fintech is at the bottom of a hill. Innovation will take place, people will become more educated on its features, and our experience of consumption will be far easier. 

Conclusion

Fintech is challenging the “traditional” ways we have always done things, but it is replacing them with features that suit the needs of our world today. Of Course, it can be intimidating as everyone becomes used to certain ways of doing things. Remember, people in the ’90s and early 2000s thought the internet wasn’t going to last. Innovation is what allows this world to stay connected and live our best lives. 

We work with successful companies to increase their net profits using exceptional custom software solutions, contact us here to see how we can help your business grow!

Are You Failing to Master the Soft Skills?

What’s on your to-do list for the next 7 days? Is that too much to think about? Or do you have a schedule that’s packed tight? No matter what it looks like, it’s likely longer than you just drew up. As a high performer, you have responsibilities and a standard that you must maintain. Holding that standard is not done by just going out and burning through your to-do list. It is done thanks to the little things that keep you composed. 

When you’ve been doing anything long enough, there’s a part of you that considers yourself an expert. You may not outwardly think or say this but your ego will remind you of it from time to time. With anything you do, knowing the specifics of what goes into the role you play is important. But how many times have you said “that’s so easy, I don’t need to worry about it now” or even thought you were too above doing something?

This feeling is an impulse that comes with achievement, but achievements are just the start of a new road. To maintain and further expand, high performers must have a level of humility and awareness to do the small things that make a big difference. A lot of people believe confidence is something you’re born with. This couldn’t be further from the truth. True confidence, especially in a business environment, comes from knowing you’ve done the things you need to do.

Whether you’re a leader trying to make a difference or an employee trying to do the best job you can, the small things go a long way. There’s always time to strategize and set major goals, but here are some smaller goals you should reach first: 

Listen

Giving someone their space to speak is a sure way to build rapport that will carry on to future opportunities. Whether this is taking time to understand how to best go about a task you’re taking on or evaluating the needs of your team, it is a must. 

Be On-Time

Very straightforward yet fundamental to benefit the impact of your professional presence is being on time. This sends the message that you value the time of the people in your organization. If you’re someone who is regularly on time or even shows up early it’s important to understand why this is beneficial. Trust is everything when building relationships, not being late is a positive data point when someone (boss, co-worker, or client) decides whether or not to give you a shot. 

Problem Solving

Everyone can agree that life is a lot easier to navigate when everything is going well. But the true measure of someone’s character and competence is how they behave when faced with a crisis. Do they go back to healthy rituals that will allow them to address the situation accordingly? Or do they panic and perhaps make rash decisions? In leadership, problem-solving is essential, as an employee or subordinate, it will help advance your role within the team. 

Attitude

Going for a job interview? You want to make a good impression on the person offering the job, but how do you treat the receptionist? Your attitude is always on display and in a professional environment, everyone will be aware of it. It even goes beyond how people see you, it impacts how you handle situations and ultimately how you see yourself.

Conclusion

All actions, no matter how important you may classify them, serve a much bigger purpose in the broad spectrum of your day-to-day life. Yeah that assignment you’re working on is difficult, but the trash you left to take out later might be more stressful when you get home at the end of the day. If you deal with the small issues head-on, you can have far more time and energy to dominate the major sectors of your life.

We work with successful companies to increase their net profits using exceptional custom software solutions, contact us here to see how we can help your business grow!