Law #31 - Position Yourself To Be Enthusiastic
by Stanley Bronstein on June 10, 2008
Law #31
Position Yourself To Be Enthusiastic
Enthusiasm is NOT the same as just being excited. One gets excited about going on a roller coaster. One becomes enthusiastic about creating and building a roller coaster. (Bo Bennett)
Some Definitions
Enthusiatic - One who possesses great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause. One who has a lively interest.
Same - Identical with what is about to be or has just been mentioned.
Excited - To arouse or stir up the emotions or feelings of. Stirred emotionally; agitated.
Going - To move or proceed, esp. to or from something.
Roller Coaster - A small gravity railroad, esp. in an amusement park, having a train with open cars that moves along a high, sharply winding trestle built with steep inclines that produce sudden, speedy plunges for thrill-seeking passengers. Any phenomenon, period, or experience of persistent or violent ups and downs, as one fluctuating between prosperity and recession or elation and despair.
Creating - To cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes. To evolve from one’s own thought or imagination, as a work of art or an invention.
Building - The act, business, or practice of constructing something. To construct (esp. something complex) by assembling and joining parts or materials.
Source: Dictionary.com
Enthusiasm vs. Excitement
To me, enthusiasm is on a longer-term, higher level for of excitement.
Excitement is something that comes and goes. It is hard to maintain a level of excitement for a long period of time.
Enthusiasm, on the other hand is excitement, raised to such a high level, that it sticks with you for the long-term. Enthusiasm will help carry you through the ups and downs you will encounter in the roller coaster world we live in.
The Roller Coaster Analogy From The Quote
Anyone who has read enough of my posts knows that I like words and phrases that have multiple meanings.
In the quote, Bo Bennett uses the phrase roller coaster (specifically riding one or building one). Roller coasters are not just physical structures found in amusement parks. The term also symbolizes many of the emotions and experiences one will have in any project of sufficient length.
You will have good days. You will have bad days. You will have up days. You will have down days.
The trick is be steady. To take great pleasure from the good days and to continue to persist on the bad ones.
If all you are is merely “excited”, that excitement will probably fade the first time you experience a bad day.
If you are ENTHUSIASTIC, you will have the energy, the drive, the stamina to keep pushing forward and do whatever it takes.
So How Does One “Get” Enthusiastic?
The best way I know to “get” enthusiastic is to devote your time to the things you love.
If your work is something you love it ceases to become work and it becomes play. For example, I love working in the personal development / self improvement field, The fact that I love this work makes it easier for me to devote several hours each day doing what it takes to accomplish my goals.
So I ask you, what are some of the things you love? Are you currently working in an area that you love, or not? If so, wonderful. If not, is there anything you can do to change that?
I’d love to hear some of your responses.
Until next time, take care, my dear friends.Mr. Achievement
Stanley F. Bronstein
Attorney & CPA
June 10th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Like the post. I think passion fits right in the middle an is that missing element. With passion you can slip in and out of both emotions and still be committed to the cause.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:26 am
You are so correct Matt. We have to enjoy what we’re doing.
My dear friend Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, who quite often works 18 hours a day says:
If you love what you’re doing, it ceases to be work and it becomes worship.
Charlie doesn’t “work” 18 hours a day. He “worships” 18 hours a day.
Stanley Bronstein
MrAchievement