Get-up-and-go

Energetic initiative that moves a person quickly from intention to action.

Reach for it when praising lively self-starting drive in an informal voice

Her get-up-and-go turned a rough sketch into a weekend workshop.

• playful

  hustle

  fast, effortful action fits an informal competitive setting

  not when Hustle can glorify overwork or imply aggressive selling.

• everyday

  energy

  liveliness matters more than independent action

  not when Energy alone may be unfocused and produce no start.

• professional

  drive

  sustained determination pushes work forward

  not when Drive can become relentless and lacks the phrase's cheerful bounce.

• professional

  initiative

  acting without waiting for instruction is the key merit

  not when Initiative can be calm and strategic rather than visibly energetic.

• professional

  motivation

  the internal reason to act needs emphasis

  not when Motivation may exist without the initiative to begin.

• formal

  dynamism

  visible force and momentum characterize a person or organization

  not when Dynamism can sound abstract and says less about self-starting behavior.

• formal

  enterprise

  resourceful willingness to undertake difficult work is central

  not when Enterprise sounds commercial or old-fashioned in casual praise.

• apathy
• lethargy
• inertia

• plenty of get-up-and-go

  The new coordinator has plenty of get-up-and-go without rushing the team.

• show get-up-and-go

  Candidates show get-up-and-go by solving one useful problem early.

• youthful get-up-and-go

  His youthful get-up-and-go revived the stalled fundraiser.