The benefits of taking initiative are many, but first, the question is—What does the term ‘initiative’ actually refer to? The term means we take the lead in identifying and accomplishing a task even before we are asked to. It denotes a sense of responsibility, and as studies show, skills like these are more conducive to our success than our IQ (which is said to form only 25% of our success).
In this blog, let us talk about how to encourage your teenager to take the initiative and reach their full potential in times to come. Learning this skill (like any other skill) is easy when the clay is still moist and children can would themselves to their best version.
What are the Benefits of Taking Initiative?
When teenagers develop this habit of taking the initiative, there are many positive changes that come along and lead to their dynamic transformation. How to take the initiative becomes easy for them when they know about these positive changes.
So, before you learn how to encourage your teenager to take the initiative, here are reminders of what makes it worthwhile.
- Coming forward to take the initiative increases one’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Your teenager gets to learn how to be self-reliant and set milestones of their own.
- Taking initiative develops their leadership and problem-solving skills, thereby boosting their chances of great success.
- It encourages your teenager to face the world head-on.
Initiative skills are one of the most essential 21st century skills, so when your teen knows how to take the initiative, it is perhaps one of the best things to learn all the other essential 21st century skills!
How to Encourage Your Teenager to Take the Initiative?
There are various ways to develop initiative skills in your teenager.
- Rather than force your teen to do this thing and the other through constant reminders, try to in stil a sense of responsibility in them. Let them know the tasks they need to do and let them schedule their time, prioritise the tasks, and take responsibility as well as accountability.
- Appreciate your teen’s little efforts in front of the people they hold in most regard (close friends, relatives, and anyone for that matter) instead of giving them rewards. This gives them something to cherish in the most constructive way. While rewards do not make them responsible, appreciation makes them ever ready to take the initiative.
- Avoid making them feel bad for the initiatives that did not work out. This would never let them get out of their comfort zone.
- One of the ways to improve initiative skills is by involving the kid in everyday matters. Let them host the guests, pay bills at the restaurant, put up queries to strangers, and organise house parties. This will make them more confident about themselves and not shy away from trying out new things.
What Matters Most
Your love and encouragement are all that matter. There are many ways to improve initiative skills but not more effective than your constant support in bringing out the best in your teen. So, when you want to know how to encourage your teenager to take the initiative, you know what to do!