--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Taking initiative is a form of…" description: "\"Taking initiative is a form of self-empowerment.\" — Stephen Covey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59f/stephen-covey-339_empowerment_taking-initiative-is-a-form-of-self-empo_1793271.png" --- # Taking initiative is a form of self-empowerment. ![“Taking initiative is a form of self-empowerment.” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59f/stephen-covey-339_empowerment_taking-initiative-is-a-form-of-self-empo_1793271.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59f/stephen-covey-339_empowerment_taking-initiative-is-a-form-of-self-empo_1793271.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59f/stephen-covey-339_empowerment_taking-initiative-is-a-form-of-self-empo_1793271.png) > “Taking initiative is a form of self-empowerment.” [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Initiative empowers individuals to shape their destiny rather than wait for circumstances. **In simple terms:** Taking charge builds power. Key Takeaway Start acting on your goals today. Themes empowerment initiative leadership self‑efficacy Mood focused optimistic Type advice practical When to use this quote - Workplace projects - community organizing - personal goal setting - entrepreneurship Key Concepts Agency proactive behavior Questions to Reflect On - What area of your life needs more initiative? - How can you secure support for your actions? A Different Perspective Initiative can fail without resources or support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Empowerment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empowerment/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Initiative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initiative/) [Initiative Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initiative-form-1965624/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self empowerment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-empowerment/) [Taking Initiative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taking-initiative/) ## Related quotes > [The exploitation agenda advocated by liberals is modeled after the dependency-inducing design of the drug dealer's business model: "We'll supply the first hit for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-mcglowan/the-exploitation-agenda-advocated-by-liberals-is-modeled-after-the/) [Angela McGlowan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-mcglowan/) > [Success comes from taking the initiative and following up... persisting... eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/success-comes-from-taking-the-initiative-and-following-up-persisting/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [By declaring yourself a leader, you're taking initiative and moving into a role of influence in a lively and vital network that's changing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/by-declaring-yourself-a-leader-you-re-taking-initiative-and-moving/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [Leadership is people taking the initiative, carrying things through, having ideas and the imagination to get something started, and exhibiting particular skills in different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bunch/leadership-is-people-taking-the-initiative-carrying-things-through/) [Charlotte Bunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bunch/) > [Excellence isn’t about working extra hard to do what you’re told. It’s about taking the initiative to do work you decide is worth doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/excellence-isn-t-about-working-extra-hard-to-do-what-you-re-told-it-s/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“First, take complete responsibility for your life and current outcomes. Then take proactive steps for the necessary action to move forward in your desired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/first-take-complete-responsibility-for-your-life-and-current-outcomes/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Taking initiative pays off. It is hard to visualize someone as a leader if she is always waiting to be told what to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/taking-initiative-pays-off-it-is-hard-to-visualize-someone-as-a/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [“Imagine how many new friends you would make, how much new business you could create, and how much fun you could have by simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/imagine-how-many-new-friends-you-would-make-how-much-new-business-you/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [Being proactive is more than taking initiative. It is recognizing that we are responsible for our own choices and have the freedom to choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/being-proactive-is-more-than-taking-initiative-it-is-recognizing-that/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [All problems become smaller if you don't dodge them, but confront them. Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-halsey/all-problems-become-smaller-if-you-don-t-dodge-them-but-confront-them/) [William Halsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-halsey/) > [“Discover what you could do with your life and empower yourself in that area. Add value to yourself in that your area of calling.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/discover-what-you-could-do-with-your-life-and-empower-yourself-in/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [The beauty of empowering others is that your own power is not diminished in the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-beauty-of-empowering-others-is-that-your-own-power-is-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You are responsible for your life. So why expect something to happen for motivation. Self motivation is biggest drive for self empowerment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/you-are-responsible-for-your-life-so-why-expect-something-to-happen/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [Not waiting for someone to give you what you can give yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/not-waiting-for-someone-to-give-you-what-you-can-give-yourself/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [“A spiritual reinterpretation of events gives us miraculous authority to command the winds, to part the waters, and to break all chains that bind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/a-spiritual-reinterpretation-of-events-gives-us-miraculous-authority/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) ## More by Stephen Covey > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More Empowerment quotes > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [She might be without country, without nation, but inside her there was still a being that could exist and be free, that could simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-maas/she-might-be-without-country-without-nation-but-inside-her-there-was/) [Sharon Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-maas/) > [“Fear has the role we give it. We are able to empower or poison ourselves to whatever degree we want. This is the beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/fear-has-the-role-we-give-it-we-are-able-to-empower-or-poison/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [“Recognize that your attention is the most valuable thing you can ever own, and you alone have the ultimate power to choose where to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-luckman/recognize-that-your-attention-is-the-most-valuable-thing-you-can-ever/) [Sol Luckman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-luckman/) > [“If men could see us as we really are, they would be a little amazed; but the cleverest, the acutest men are often under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/if-men-could-see-us-as-we-really-are-they-would-be-a-little-amazed/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [“Manipulating or controlling others through the use of one's illness or suffering,for example,was-and remains-extremely effective for people who find they cannot be direct in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/manipulating-or-controlling-others-through-the-use-of-one-s-illness/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Empowerment of individuals is a key part of what makes open source work, since in the end, innovations tend to come from small groups,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-reilly/empowerment-of-individuals-is-a-key-part-of-what-makes-open-source/) [Tim O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-reilly/) > [“How would your life be different if...You could control the outcome of your day, your week, your year? Let today be the day...You embrace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/how-would-your-life-be-different-if-you-could-control-the-outcome-of/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [We seem to have lost contact with the earlier, more profound functions of art, which have always had to do with personal and collective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-london/we-seem-to-have-lost-contact-with-the-earlier-more-profound-functions/) [Peter London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-london/) > [There's a lot of activism that doesn't deal with empowerment, and you have to empower yourself in order to be relevant to any type…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/there-s-a-lot-of-activism-that-doesn-t-deal-with-empowerment-and-you/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) > [“Wallowing in self-pity hurts no one except you. Boss up and find a way to get going again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/wallowing-in-self-pity-hurts-no-one-except-you-boss-up-and-find-a-way/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [Self motivation is inner power which empowers you to strengthen your confidence, mental toughness, achieve greater height in life, best performance through positive attitude,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/self-motivation-is-inner-power-which-empowers-you-to-strengthen-your/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [Want to talk third wave feminism, you could cite Ariel Levy and the idea that women have internalized male oppression. Going to spring break…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/want-to-talk-third-wave-feminism-you-could-cite-ariel-levy-and-the/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [What we are saying is that we need to consolidate the capacity to lend support. 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