Chapter 6.5 Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm

“It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes life worth living.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809 – 1894)    American Poet and Physician

We have Faith in our Mission, Trust in our abilities, Commitment to our purpose, and Confidence that we can attain it (see Faith again). Next we have to exhibit Enthusiasm …  a show of our positive energy.

“There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.”

Anonymous

I believe that the difference between achieving what you want and the reverse (note that I didn’t say … Failure!) is the enthusiasm that one generates toward her goal. (Remember Chapter 1 … him, her, hem, hir)

It’s kind of funny. If you look forward to doing something, something you really like, that feeling, that sense … that enthusiasm … pushes you off the fence of Maybe. Enthusiasm is filled with positive motivation and it carries you to your best effort.

I remember in Junior High (Middle School) trying to get people excited about doing something, doing something better for our school, school-pride. Without people willing to work towards a common goal, nothing happens. You have to generate enthusiasm amongst your group, a community of positive action. Very few people are successful in their goals without generating enthusiasm in others for a common purpose.

“Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson  (1803-1882)    American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist

It would seem that Enthusiasm is an important part of our formula, something that I had never really identified as being a primary, vital attribute in the past. I’ve known of its importance, yet I never gave it its due. It is action … action on what you know that you must do. If you can generate energy around your goal … your energy if it is extremely personal or collective energy if it involves a group … you have a great chance of realizing a good result. Enthusiasm trumps Apathy.

“Life’s blows cannot break a person whose spirit is warmed at the fire of enthusiasm”

Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)    American Protestant Clergyman and Writer

Generating Enthusiasm is what also defines charisma. Someone that can produce an interest in what they say, that can command a belief in his or her purpose, is said to have charisma. By motivating people to work towards a common goal using one’s personal charisma (let’s call it leadership), great things can happen.

“Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.”

Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969)    34th President of the United States

Enthusiasm overcomes Sloth and Apathy. It pushes you forward into action. It jumps you into Commitment. It can occur by following someone whose agenda makes a lot of sense to you or it can be generated through your understanding of your personal goals. Enthusiasm can only generate positive energy.

“At school, new ideas are thrust at you every day. Out in the world, you’ll have to find the inner motivation to search for new ideas on your own.”

Bill Watterson     American Cartoonist, “Calvin & Hobbes”

But your own personal Enthusiasm has no other source than your own personal motivation. It’s what you choose to focus your efforts and your perseverance on achieving. Enthusiasm will never be handed to you … it will be up to you to commit to a purpose and generate the necessary positive energy to fulfill it.

“When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.”

W. Clement Stone (1902-2002)    American Author

Enthusiasm is not without bumps in the road. Your commitment, your motivation, and your enthusiasm will be tested many times. If you are truly on your correct path and you pursue it fully, you can achieve at least some part of your goals. You must believe in a higher power to guide you. You must have Faith in your abilities. You must be unerring in your approach.  And you must be committed. Then, the Universe will show you the way.

“Every noble work is bound to face problems and obstacles. It is important to check your goal and motivation thoroughly. One should be very truthful, honest, and reasonable. One’s actions should be good for others, and for oneself as well. Once a positive goal is chosen, you should decide to pursue it all the way to the end. Even if it is not realized, at least there will be no regret.”

Dalai Lama    Leader of Tibetan Buddhists

Always remember … No Regrets!

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