If you observe successful people around you, in the Air Force of elswhere, you'll notice two common characteristics - initiative and self-reliance.

The person with initiative and self-reliance looks around, sees a need, and meets the need without waiting to be told. These are folks who get more responsibility and opportunities for advancement.

They accept personal responsibility to learn and gain experience, and provide their own motivation and inspiration.

A Story I heard years ago issustrates this point.

Three brothers left the farm to work in the city. They got jobs in the same company at the same pay. Two years later Jim was earning $500 a month, Frank was earning $1,000 a month and George was earning $1,500.

Their father decided to visit their employer and ask why there was such a difference in pay. The employer said he'd let the boys explain for themselves.

He called Jim, the lowest paid, and said, "Jim, I understand the Oceanic just docked. Please go down and get the cargo inventory." Three minutes later, Jim returned and reported, "She has a cargo of 2,000 seal skins. I got the information from the first mate over the telephone."

The employer gave Frank the same instructions. An hour later Frank returned with a list showing the Oceanic contained not only 2,000 seal skins, but also 500 beaver and 1,100 mink pelts.

Finally, George received the same instructions. Working hours were long over when he returned. "The Oceanic carries 2,000 seal skins," he began. "They are for sale at $5 each, so I took a two-day option and called a prospect in St. Louis, offering them for $7. I expect to get a sale tomorrow. I also found 500 beaver pelts which I sold over the phone for a profit of $700. The mink pelts were poor quality so I didn't do anything with them."

When George left the office the employer turned to the father and smiled. "You probably noticed," he said. "Jim doesn't do as he's told, Frank only what he is told, and George does without being told."

You may not be asked to check on a vessal's cargo, but you are faced many times with opportunities to use initiative. You frequently have the chance to give extra effort as George did. The extent of that effort directly affects the success you will have in your career and in life. (AFNS)