eager, intense and energetic interest in an activity or subject

You’d be astonished at what enthusiasm can do. Ever since I got out of the hospital, grateful to have survived, I answer the question, “How are you?” with, “Life is great!” I mean it; and I show I mean it, with a smile and an enthusiastic tone. It’s incredible how positively people respond. Such a simple thing, yet it brightens their day… and mine.

Enthusiasm makes ordinary people extraordinary. (Anonymous)

Why be enthusiastic?

It draws people to you. Who wants to be around negativity? Enthusiasm motivates you to get things done. It augments your focus and persistence. It makes your communication more forceful and convincing. Enthusiastic people get hired, and promoted, quicker. I’d rather hire an enthusiastic newbie than a jaded expert.

Finally, it’s fun! It makes for a happier life.

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. (Henry David Thoreau)

How can you choose to be enthusiastic? Twelve suggestions:

  1. Act enthusiastic! In voice, conduct, body language, and expressiveness. Use some exclamation points! Do these things until they become habit.
  2. Be energetic. Eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep.
  3. Reject negativity: fire negative friends and negative workers.
  4. Spend your time with enthusiastic people.

Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm. (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

  1. Don’t fear looking foolish or failing.
  2. Perform random acts of kindness.
  3. Emulate role models: a friend, a colleague, a public figure… anyone whom you consider a beacon of enthusiasm.
  4. Time management: block out a specific time every day to do something you love.
  5. Be organized in your surroundings and actions: it maximizes  productivity, so you’ll have more time for item 8.
  6. Focus on the positive: keep a list of what you’re grateful for.
  7. Learn. Ask those questions. Try the new and different.
  8. Laugh! At everything you can – including yourself.

Make the world a brighter place! Today, choose enthusiasm.

6 DAYS OF CHOOSING ENTHUSIASM

Days 1 – 5: Make a list of things you love to do. For the next 4 days, block out time every day to do something on the list. Let others see your enthusiasm.

Day 6: Make a list of enthusiastic people you know, at work and socially. Then, make plans to spend time around each of them.

… interested in some inspiring tips on 99 other positive choices, and some exercises to get you started?