Enthusiasm - The real secret to success?

Why is it important to be enthusiastic? And what does enthusiasm have to do with success?

Walter Chrysler the founder of The Chrysler cooperation has a famous quote and in that quote he actually says that "enthusiasm is the real secret to success".

Think of enthusiasm as the spark that keeps you motivated and brings to fruition even our biggest dreams. Enthusiasm increases our motivation to be more passionate and more positive in pursuit of what we want in life and work.

But where does it come from? Are we born either being enthusiastic or not?

I believe that enthusiasm is fueled form deep within us. - I believe enthusiasm is born from committing ourselves to a cause that transcends our self-interest. A purpose that aligns with our values and how we see what it is we want to leave behind in this world.

What impact do you want to have on the those that come in contact with you and our work?

What is a cause or purpose that you are passionate about, that transcends your self-interest?

How does this purpose compel you to attach your life and career with a spirit of commitment, adventure, and enthusiasm?

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As you think about your purpose, I want to encourage you to remember to open your mind to the limitless possibilities. Whatever your current position description or job title happens to be see it as the floor and not the ceiling of what you are willing and able to be. In other words, see your job as the platform upon which you add your special strengths and talents. Try not to limit your thinking by discounting anything based on obstacles, because there are always ways to overcome them. Keeping your enthusiasm up in the face of failures and or challenges helps you maintain momentum toward your goals.

If enthusiasm is so powerful and important to success how do we cultivate it in our life and work?

Let’s explore together 7 strategies for cultivating or encouraging our enthusiasm.

With each strategy I’ll will give you some journaling prompts or questions to worth through. Asking questions is one of the best ways to generate enthusiasm in yourself. Asking questions about your abilities, your ideas, your progress. Likewise, if you want to generate enthusiasm in others, practice asking them questions and or sharing the process of learning with a trusted friend, family member or colleague.

7 strategies for cultivating or encouraging our enthusiasm

1. A first strategy for cultivating enthusiasm is to give all of your attention to what you’re doing.

So, what do you want to accomplish?

What are your goals? In life and in work?

How can you pull your attention together and place your focus fully on what you are trying to achieve?

What are you spending time and energy on that are not supporting your goals?

2. The second strategy is to get your energy up…

What is your energy level today?

How are you protecting and nurturing your physical body so it’s prepared and has capacity to be enthusiastic?

3. Surround yourself with people who are enthusiastic and optimistic. Befriend people who will encourage you and challenge you to achieve your goals. Enthusiasm is contagious; when you’re around people who are enthusiastic about their lives and about their work, their enthusiasm will rub off on you.

Take a minute to think about the people in your life…

Who is helping boost your enthusiasm?

Who is draining it?

4. Lean into your enthusiasm and develop a positive attitude. Enthusiasm is like a magnet.

Are you leaning into your enthusiasm?

Is your attitude positive?

Are you a magnet that draws people to you and supports collaboration and creativity?

How can you lean into your enthusiasm more?

5. Lower your levels of “bad” stress..This might mean using the laws of subtraction. The Laws of Subtraction invite us to subtract things from our life that are not serving us. In this example the law of subtraction would mean removing bad stress contributors and or setting up good boundaries; boundaries around your energy and your time.

What are your “bad” stressors?

How can you use the law of subtraction or setting healthy boundaries to protect your enthusiasm?

6. The sixth strategy ask you to apply your strengths.

What are your strengths?

How has your experiences in life prepared you in a special way?

How can you use these gifts, these experiences, these strengths day to day in your life and work to generate enthusiasm?

7. The final strategy is simply to begin. Whatever your goals are whatever it is that you want to do to accomplish, begin it. Do one thing.

What is one thing you can do today, this week to begin moving forward to make progress towards those goals?

Again, think of enthusiasm as the spark that keeps you motivated and brings to fruition even our biggest dreams.

Until next time. Thank you for for being a part of the GROW Community I hope you have a great week full of enthusiastic adventures.