11 Words For Doing Something Without Being Asked

There are times when we need to do something without being asked. Maybe a loved one needs help; a work needs to be done or someone is in danger. This article will discuss alternative words that can be used to describe doing something without being asked and also provide examples.

The most preferred alternative words for “without being told” are “take initiative”, “proactive”, and “self-driven”.  They give a more direct meaning of the phrase “without being told” and suggest that the person taking action does so without being prompted or asked by someone else.

Take initiative

“Take initiative” means being proactive and not waiting for someone to give you instructions or tell you what to do. It means being willing and able to identify opportunities and problems and then taking the necessary steps to address them. It involves being resourceful, independent and driven. 

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “Take initiative” means “to be the first one to do something, especially to solve a problem”.

Explore the following examples below to help you get a good grasp of how to use the phrase in a sentence.

• The best way to learn is to take initiative and be proactive. 
• If you want something done, sometimes the best option is to take initiative and do it yourself. 
• Each team member is expected to take initiative and come up with ideas to improve our product.

Proactive

Being “proactive” means taking the initiative to make things happen rather than waiting for something to happen or someone else to do it. It’s about being in control of your life and your surroundings and not letting things just happen to you.

One of the best ways to be proactive is by setting goals and making plans to achieve them. This involves taking action rather than just thinking about what you want. And it’s important to be flexible and adaptable so that you can adjust your plans as needed along the way.

The Cambridge Dictionary describes “proactive” as an adjective, and it is defined as “taking action by causing change and not only reacting to change when it happens” or “intending or intended to produce a good result or avoid a problem, rather than waiting until there is a problem”.

Here are examples to help you understand the usage of the word “proactive”.

• Being proactive is the best way to achieve your goals.
• Employees who are proactive are more likely to be successful in their careers.
• If you aren’t proactive, you’ll never reach your full potential.

Self-Driven

“Self-driven” means to have a high level of intrinsic motivation, which is the desire to do something for its own sake. It’s the ability to set a course and stick to it, regardless of rewards or punishments. It requires discipline, focus, and determination.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, the word “driven” is an adjective that means “determined to achieve something or be successful”.

Self-driven people are usually highly autonomous and independent. They’re not motivated by others’ approval or admiration but rather by their internal desires and goals.

Here are examples to help you understand how to use the word “self-driven” in a sentence.

• I’m a self-driven person, and I like to be in control of my life.
• I was impressed by her self-driven attitude and her determination to succeed.
• He’s always been a self-driven individual, and he’s never been afraid to work hard for what he wants.

Resourceful

“Resourceful” means having the ability to find quick and clever solutions to problems. When we say someone is resourceful, we mean that they can find creative solutions to problems. They can utilize whatever resources are available to them in order to reach their goal.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, the word “resourceful” is an adjective that means “skilled at solving problems and making decisions on your own”.

See the following example of how the word can be used in a sentence.

• Kaylee is a resourceful young woman and has managed to make the most of a difficult situation.
• The company has been very resourceful in finding new ways to cut costs and remain profitable.
• His ability to be resourceful in times of crisis has saved many lives.

Unprompted

“Unprompted” refers to an event, statement, or action that is not the result of any prompting or urging from another person. For example, if someone says something without being asked or if they take an action without being told to do so, then that would be considered an “unprompted” act.

The Cambridge Dictionary describes “unprompted” as an adjective that means “without being told to say or do something”.

Explore these examples below to understand the usage of the word in a conversation.

• We were surprised by the pupil’s unprompted act of kindness.”
• I decided to speak unprompted during the meeting. 
• He gave an unprompted apology for his mistakes. 

Spontaneous

“Spontaneous” means something that is not planned or something that happens without any deliberate effort on the part of the person involved. Someone who is spontaneous is impulsive and unpredictable. They might do things on a whim, without thinking about the consequences or planning ahead. 

The Cambridge dictionary describes “spontaneous” as an adjective that means “happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning or without being forced”.

These are examples of ways to use the word “spontaneous” in a sentence.

• He had a spontaneous outburst in court.
• It was a spontaneous decision that I don’t regret.
• When she kissed me, it was so spontaneous and unexpected that I didn’t know how to react.

Voluntarily

“Voluntarily” means when you do something of your own free will. It’s when you choose to do something, rather than being forced or obligated to do it. For example, you might volunteer to help out at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. This means that you’re acting voluntarily.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “Voluntarily” is described as an adverb that means “in a voluntary way (= done, made, or given willingly)”.

Check out the following examples to understand how to word better in a sentence.

• He offered to help voluntarily. 
• He did it voluntarily, without being asked.
• The company gave employees the option to retire voluntarily or involuntarily.

Unbidden

“Unbidden” means something that is not requested or asked for. In other words, it’s an unexpected event or occurrence. When something is “unbidden”, it means that it’s not requested or asked for. It usually has a negative connotation, as in an unwelcome visitor who shows up uninvited.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “unbidden” is an adjective that means “not invited or wanted”.

Here are examples to help you grasp the understanding of the word.

• We do not desire your presence here; you are unbidden. 
• He arrived unbidden and unannounced in the middle of the night. 
• It was an unbidden thought, one that suddenly popped into my head out of nowhere.

Unsolicited

“Unsolicited” refers to something that is offered or given without being asked for. It can also refer to something that is sent or delivered to someone without their consent or request. In business, it’s used when talking about advertising materials that are sent to people who didn’t ask for them.

The Cambridge Dictionary describes “unsolicited” as an adjective that means “not asked for”. 

See the following examples to have a clear understanding of how the word is used in a sentence.

• I always appreciate unsolicited advice; it shows that you care. 
• I was surprised by the unsolicited gift she had sent me. 
• She felt uncomfortable with the amount of unsolicited attention he paid her.

Self-motivated

“Self-motivated” is a term that is used to describe someone who takes initiative and works hard without being told to do so. A self-motivated person is someone who is proactive and always looking for new ways to improve their skills and knowledge.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “self-motivated” is an adjective that means “able and willing to work without being told what to do”.

Here are a few examples to help you understand how to use the word in a sentence.

• I’m a self-motivated person, so I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do or how to do it. 
• Self-motivated employees are usually the most successful because they’re willing to go above and beyond without being asked.
• I believe that being self-motivated is important in all aspects of life, whether it’s professional or personal growth.

Independently

“Independently” refers to freedom from the control or influence of others. In other words, it means having the ability to act or make decisions without the interference or instruction of others. “Independently” means not associated with or relying on others. It can mean acting alone or without help from others.

The Cambridge Dictionary describes “Independently” as an adverb that means “without being influenced or controlled in any way by other people, events, or things”.

Check out the following example to better grasp the usage of the word “Independently”.

• He was able to work independently from the rest of the team.
• I can make decisions independently. 
• She was able to raise her children independently.