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​​​​​​​LEADING WITH CHARACTER!
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​​“Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.”

Henry Ford

​Listen to Story 1.​

Introduction

When we’re enthusiastic about something, we’re willing to sacrifice for it. People who are enthusiastic about a cause will sacrifice time and money for it. People who are enthusiastic about their jobs will make personal sacrifices to spend more time at work and educate themselves to do better work. Men and women who are enthusiastic about being Marines understand that sacrifice might come at a very high price. 

Even when the requirements are difficult, enthusiastic leaders set aside any negative aspects of the mission and focus on the positive energy they can bring to the table. It’s not easy. It takes more than a little self-discipline. But it works, and a show of enthusiasm often leads to truly inspirational behavior. 

In any situation, we can easily identify the people who are enthusiastic about what they are doing. These people have a strong interest and are eager to pursue the task at hand. Harry Truman captured this wisdom when he said,

"I studied the lives of great men and famous women, and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm."

Enthusiasm

In the ensuing paragraphs, we will look at three aspects of enthusiasm: 1. What is Enthusiasm?, 2. What are the Benefits of Enthusiasm?, and 3. Enthusiasm is a Choice.

What is Enthusiasm? -  The word enthusiasm comes from two Greek words: EN – in, and THEOS – God, inspired by God. It was originally a word that spoke of supernatural inspiration, such as a prophet would receive. It has come to mean intense interest, zeal, fervency, excitement, or ardency.

So, enthusiasm is an emotional quality, whether good or bad. It has been defined as “energy that boils over and runs down the side of the pot.” Enthusiasm, however, means just the opposite of reckless abandonment; it means control by the spirit.

When a person is full of wine, others will know it! Similarly, a person filled with a spirit of enthusiasm can be spotted. The world will sit up and take notice. It will say, “That person has something, and it has him. He is on fire and sure seems to be enjoying what he is doing.”

There are various personality types. Some are more expressive than others. Some are introverted and some extroverted. Having a sparkling personality is not the same as being enthusiastic. Regardless of our personality type, we can have and display enthusiasm. It is the tendency to look on the bright side (which is the right side) of life, to think the best, and react with positive energy. Enthusiasm is a product of our attitude. Vince Lombardy once said, “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired – with enthusiasm.”  

Listen to Story 2​.

What are the Benefits of Enthusiasm? - If we demonstrate enthusiasm, we are far more likely to succeed and that is because of our positive attitude towards accomplishing the task at hand. The ones who lack enthusiasm rarely succeed and the primary reason can be attributed to the negative attitudes that they embrace. When they face a major challenge, they are more likely to lose momentum and give up. Enthusiastic people will find ways around any obstacles and, while they may fall down, they are very quickly back on their feet.

Not only is demonstrating enthusiasm self-motivational, showing enthusiasm also motivates others on our team. People naturally want to be around others who are upbeat and have energy. The positive attitude of the motivated individual is felt by the people who come in contact with that motivated individual. No matter what the issue, others look for solutions from their motivated team members, understanding that they are not easily defeated and will stay the course until the challenges are met.

People respect those who exhibit a true interest in what they are doing, those who exhibit a passion for all things in which they are involved. It is difficult not to be positively affected when we see the light shining in the eyes of an enthusiastic individual.

And while we understand that not everyone else will be enthusiastic when faced with the everyday challenges of personal and work place issues, we can rest assured that those who do experience our enthusiastic attitude will have living proof that enthusiasm does make a positive and significant contribution. Enthusiasm is contagious!

Finally, our on-going demonstration of enthusiasm leaves a legacy greater than any monetary gift. Our enthusiasm leaves a lasting impression on every one of those with whom we come in contact. It demonstrates that our positive attitude helps us to overcome obstacles, to view challenges as opportunities to test our mettle. Our on-going good cheer translates into a zest for life and a positive example for our teammates.

Listen to Story 3​.

Our attitude really does have a profound effect on those around us!

Enthusiasm is a Choice - We all have a choice; we can decide to be enthusiastic or we can just put in the day. One Marine would suggest that we all would prefer to be around people who show interest in, and are happy about, what they are doing. They are the ones who light up the room when they walk in. They have made a choice for enthusiasm.

Listen to Story 4​. 

It is our choice whether to be hard hearted, or to be gloomy, or to be sour at the world, or to be instigators of doom and gloom, finding everything and everybody around us falling short because of our negative thinking. The downside of our choices to be purveyors of dissatisfaction does not simply affect us. Our choices affect every one that comes near us, who talks with us.

On the other hand, we can make another choice; a positive choice that sees opportunity in problems; that sees the good in challenging circumstances; that looks for opportunities to be positive role models for others; and, that embraces good cheer in what others see as the constant ever changing world of strife and pain.

Having enthusiasm for what we are doing does not mean we won't face challenges or difficulties. The fact of the matter is that we will definitely face challenges. And, another fact is that we can be much better equipped to deal with all challenges if we have made a proper choice – a choice to lead positive, enthusiastic lives and demonstrate the same to all of those around us.

Listen to Story 5​.

He didn’t expect any help and he got what he expected! Perhaps he would have done better with a more positive approach.

Conclusion

Enthusiasm is the tendency to look on the bright side of life, to approach life optimistically, and react to all challenges with positive energy. Enthusiasm is a product of our attitude, which, in turn, is a product of those dominant thoughts that occupy our minds.

Unfortunately, displaying enthusiasm does not mean that everyone around us will embrace our attitude. The sad truth is that, just because we possess an enthusiastic heart, it does not necessarily mean that all of those around us will naturally follow suit. But we “keep on keepin’ on”, because, if even a few are positively affected, the world will be a much better and more enjoyable place.

The fact that not everyone “buys our act” should not stop us from becoming shining stars in the darkness which shadows other people's lives. We do have a choice! How do we want to be remembered when we die? Would we rather be remembered as individuals of great enthusiasm or as individuals who concentrated on the negative aspects of life’s challenges? 

Listen to Story 6​. 

“If you have passion, there is no need for excuses because your enthusiasm will trump any negative reasoning you might come up with. Enthusiasm makes excuses a nonissue.”

Wayne Dyer

 

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