“Enthusiasm makes ordinary people extraordinary.” – source unknown
Enthusiasm originally meant possession or inspiration by a ‘god’, but today we usually refer to it as an intense enjoyment or interest in something – anything – from a sporting event to a business goal.
An Enthusiast as a personality type may refer to the Peter Pan Complex – a person who is adventurous and constantly busy with many activities. They live in the moment and look for the joys that the world has to offer. These people may also jump too quickly from activity to activity looking for the next best thing, afraid that they may miss something or that they may be disappointed by the experience.
So how can you be enthusiastic about your life?
Be present.
Be involved.
Make active choices about your life including what priorities you will focus on and what activities can wait.
That is how ordinary people achieve extraordinary lives. They enthusiastically go after what is important to them regardless of whether it is a business idea or cheering for their child’s sports team.
Beverly’s Hot Tips For International Enthusiasm Week:
- Examine your priorities. Are you clear about what areas of YOUR life are YOUR priority? Are you clear about what activities meet which priorities? Don’t let other’s determine your priorities and be clear about what activities support these priorities.
- Be present. Once you know what priorities you are focusing on, be okay with that choice. Don’t let guilt take away the enjoyment or the focus on that activity in that moment. If you are choosing to be at a family function, don’t let the piles of work on your desk distract you. If you are busy growing your business, don’t let the ‘mommy or daddy guilt’ creep in.
- You can have more than one priority – but you can only be present at one priority at a time. Choice has sacrifice attached to it. If you choose one priority for this moment, you can switch to another priority in the next moment – But it is a choice.
- Watch out for the Peter Pan Syndrome of jumping from one ‘flavour-of-the-day’ to the next. Working on our priorities isn’t always fun and it can be frustrating and hard work. Being enthusiastic is pushing forward in spite of the tough times.
If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!
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