Ralph Waldo Emerson famously stated, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” In my humble opinion, there is no greater truth.
As you are reading this, I want you to think back and remember your favorite teacher. Now think about your favorite coach, or neighbor. What do all of these people have in common? I bet that they were all enthusiastic; they all had a zest for life and their energy inspired you.
Now think about the most successful people at your workplace. If you are still a student, think about the students with the highest grade point average, or are the best actors, or best athletes. Guess what they all have in common. Yes! You guessed it, an insatiable, interminable, supply of energy and enthusiasm.
Okay, so we have established that enthusiasm is probably the most important building block to success. Assuming we all want to be successful, the question is then how do we become more enthusiastic? How do we become more like that amazing third grade teacher that always greeted us with a smile and knew the answer to every question about dinosaurs? The answer is not that simple, but here are some suggestions:
- Choose a career that you absolutely love. For me, I teach and coach. I get to interact with kids on a daily basis, and I am lucky to enough to learn from them, and I hope that they learn from me. It is a mutually fulfilling relationship that I cherish, and for that, I am enthusiastic about my job.
- Spend your time around positive people. If I have never met you, I can guess what kind of person you are by meeting your friends. Surround yourself with good people, and the power of attraction takes root. Surround yourself with negative people, and your whole outlook on life changes.
- Seek out a hobby that you are passionate about. You may not have one right now, and it may take some trial and error to find one, but your life will change once you do. Personally, my hobbies have changed over time. That’s normal too. What you were passionate about when you were twenty-five may not be appealing to you at forty-five. What’s important is that you have something to look forward to that pushes your mental status quo outside of its comfort zone.
- Cherish your daily routine. We all get bogged down in the routine of life. Instead of looking at it as a necessary evil, change your mindset and be mindful of your chores. Take pride in them. Notice the smell of the detergent and the feel of the fabric as you do the laundry. Pay attention to the smells of the lawn as you mow and trim bushes. Noticing the small things and taking pride in them can completely change your world.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We have all been knocked down at one point or another by a life event. We may also feel like every day is “Groundhog Day”, and we don’t know how to break the cycle. These are the moments, when we need to reach out. We live and work in COMMUNITIES; entities based on communal interaction. Ask and you shall receive.
Here at Future Stars the most glaring common characteristic of our employees is a sense of enthusiasm; a sense of I’m willing to try this and I can’t wait to try that. We feed off of each other’s energy, and that creates a special work environment. We are grateful that so many have entrusted us with the caretaking of their children, and hope that they have felt inspired by us, in the same way my third grade teacher did for me.
Note: In John Wooden’s ‘Pyramid of Success,’ enthusiasm, along with industriousness, serves as the foundation.
