Are you a self-starter? Or do you wait to be prodded, cajoled, and humored into doing what your responsibility should have been all along?

You can observe any family with several children and note quickly which ones are self starters. One child may rise from his bed in the dark of a school day morn and be the first one to reach the breakfast table, ready for a day of learning. His siblings may cover their heads with a blanket, even though a frustrated, insistent parent knocks on the bedroom door for the umpteenth time to remind them its past time to get out of bed!

We tend to be motivated in adulthood as we were as children. If we bargained with our caretakers for a treat if we did our chores, we are likely to put off our adult responsibilities if we are not gratified in the same way. Conversely, we arent thinking of rewards if we are self-starting souls. We feel gratified and satisfied just to be getting our motors revved up for whatever task, project or activity is at hand!

Self-starters tend to be leaders. They will serve as class president, begin enterprises to employ people and take part in community affairs, choosing to play a key role. Those youngsters who linger in their beds tend to be class clowns, do whatever strikes their fancy and if they participate in group activities, they are likely to be followers. Wise parents see so those groups do not involve gangs.

The success of any person is not so much dependent on their circumstances or their environment, but rather, that they are motivated to start projects and implement ideas without being prompted. If there is a need as seen by a self-starter, they are likely to find a way to fill that need; solve that problem.

Understanding self-starters and their potential impact on society behooves us to become role models. Even adults can emulate good behavior if they see it in their workplace or their neighborhood. Being a successful, self-starting adult can inspire other people to become better people.

Rollie kept an immaculate lawn. His yard was free from clutter and debris and he mowed the grass regularly. Davis? Not so much. Davis was the neighbor who just did not get around to getting the lawn work done and there were no children he could inveigle into doing the job for him. Besides, no one demanded that he take good care of his lawn and yard. Finally, Davis felt a bit of shame when he continued to see Rollie in his yard, mowing, raking, and manicuring the grounds. Finally, Davis manned up and took a cue from the self-starting Rollie. To Davis amazement, he actually enjoyed the outdoor activity and in that respect became a self-starter! Rollie had lived an exemplary life and his quiet leadership had inspired Davis to personal growth!

One of the best features of being a human being is that we have the freedom to choose our behavior, our attitude and the rate of our personal development.

Now, what will be YOUR pleasure?