1. What can you do to show initiative? (identify your goals/ideas) Remember: Goals and ideas without motivation do not produce initiative. Initiative is action. Initiative is implementation. Initiative is leadership.

2. What is your motivation? (identify what makes you act) Remember: This is your spark, your drive. Some of it comes naturally, some of it is learned, but like a muscle, it needs to exercise to grow stronger.

3. What is your action plan and your end goal? (identify the steps you need to take to accomplish your goals) Remember: You must benefit somehow, but it's helpful if the plan benefits others as well. Dream big but be willing to make adjustments.

4. Do you need approval for your plan? If so, who can provide this approval and potential support? Remember: Some action plans require approval and support and without it, action might stop before it starts. If you need others on your side, how will you convince them?

5. This is a personal question: What stops you from acting on your ideas? Remember: Fear, contentment with the status quo, over-planning, waiting for the right moment, indecision, self-doubt, distraction and other things can deter you from acting.

6. How do you overcome your doubts and hesitation to act? Remember: The greatest intellects, leaders, and inventors in the world have all failed and learned from their mistakes.

7. If money (e.g., salary, bonus, reward) is not a primary incentive to trigger your creative motivation and ambition, what other things might your work offer that would incentivize you to become more productive and innovative? Remember: You may need to look at Google or other progressive companies to see how they incentivize thinking and productivity.