Enthusiasm

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday may 21 2008

Welcome to the midweek point.

Boy, are we having some fun with the whole “enthusiasm” theme.

Here at this desk, we get tons of calls every day. With this week’s theme, we are assessing every call on a scale of 1 to 10 for “enthusiasm”. I have to say that it’s been quite an eye opener.

From service folks, friends, teammates, and telemarketers, it’s really interesting who gets our attention. I’m aware it’s also a two street. If we answer the phone with “enthusiasm”, we get a higher level of response. It confirms the old adage, “you get back what you put out”.

Our buddy David puts out an offering today that touches on the point.

Enthusiasm

by David DeFord

In my small Indiana hometown basketball was king. If you have seen the movie “Hoosiers”, you can begin to understand the importance of high school basketball in rural Indiana.

While in grade school, my friends and I dreamed of the day that we could don our school colors and go to battle for truth and our mothers. During recess we always played basketball. On hot summer days, when our friends were playing in the creek or fishing, we could be found on "the slab" doing battle. Sometimes we literally did battle.

We played on grade school, junior high and freshman teams. We even played for the Boys Club on weekends--always dreaming of our shot at the high school team. Even though we hated cross country, we joined the team every year for the strength and conditioning program. We also organized games against the kids in nearby towns, just for the fresh competition.

Finally our junior year came. As usual, we joined the cross country team and we were in top shape by the beginning of basketball season. As practices began, forty-some kids vied for the twelve spots on the varsity team. After a few practices I realized that I wasn't as gifted as many of the other players trying out for the team. I knew in my heart that if I didn't do something special, I wouldn't realize my long-held dream. But what talent did I have that would set me apart from the others?

Enthusiasm!

Even though my athletic ability did not separate me from the rest, I practiced good fundamentals and played consistently. I became the kid who yelled the loudest for the other players. I congratulated good plays, offered sincere encouragement to those who were struggling and I played very enthusiastically.

When the coach posted the names of those who made the varsity team, my name was listed! Unfortunately none of my friends, who had worked so hard for so long, were listed. While I was saddened for my friends, I had realized my dream.

Though I reached my goal, the most important part of this story is what I learned about life--enthusiasm can compensate for other weaknesses. Everyone likes to be around an enthusiast. Life and its challenges can be joyful when approached enthusiastically.

Henry Ford said: “You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. 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. Enthusiasts are fighters. The have fortitude.”

"They have staying qualities. Enthusiasm is at the bottom of all progress. With it, there is accomplishment. Without it, there are only alibis."

The Main Thing Is To Keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday May 20 2008

Welcome to this fine Tuesday.

This week’s theme certainly inspired some terrific comments yesterday. It appears that with Monday being a holiday, that some folks really took the subject to heart and looked closely at what they were “enthused” about. More importantly though, was how they expressed that “enthusiasm”.

One of the things that kept repeating was that, while folks say they felt “enthusiastic” about their chosen activities, it wasn’t expressed clearly in their actions. Interesting eh?

Universally, it was clearly agreed that “enthusiasm” was unquestionably one of the “main things” that must get our attention.

Our friend Thea provides an offering that might just be the ticket for today.

The Main Thing Is To Keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing

by Thea Westra

“Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit” (Conrad Hilton)

“Time cools, time clarifies; no mood can be maintained quite unaltered through the course of hours” (Mark Twain)

“It is wise to keep in mind that no success or failure is necessarily final” (Anon.)

“Successful people aren't supermen and women. They fail, but fail forward. Success is not about perfection, it's about progression” (Simon Reynolds - advertising wiz.)

When you create or design something new for your future e.g. a new goal or enterprise, then you can be assured that there will be ups and downs.

Initially there may be very few, if any “flat times” because of all the associated novelties and the learning curve. The excitement and passion may last days, weeks and even months.

If your goal or new enterprise involves a 3 or 5 year plan, then chances are that you will experience many highs and lows. We do “know” this, yet when the flat times arrive we behave as though “it should not be that way” and lose momentum.

Here are some tips for staying on the road if you are crystal clear that you are using the most effective “vehicle” of your choice to fulfill specific outcomes.

1. Be very clear and maintain your clarity of purpose for wanting to accomplish your goal/intended outcome.

Have at hand a minimum of five terrific reasons for why you “have to” and absolutely “must” accomplish your chosen goal. Continue to update that list and occasionally rewrite the list. Over time your initial reasons may lose their spur quality.

2. Create an environment that consistently reminds you of your original purpose and of your intended, ultimate outcome.

The following are a few basic ideas for this:

Surround yourself with physical displays such as computer screen-savers, wall boards, a piece of jewellery, markers/images in your diary, a house/garden plant that you watch grow as your enterprise does.

Choose with whom you spend most time and use regular meetings or calls with a buddy, coach, mentor or supportive partner.

The more people you tell about your goal, the more often you will be taken back to that time of your original excitement because of their questions about how you’re coming along.

Play pieces of music while working to inspire you and keep you “in the moment” of what you are creating.

Make it a weekly practice to listen to motivating teleseminars or CD recordings of other successful and inspiring people.

Spend regular moments of time visualising your intended future. Really work on getting your “picture” (of the ultimate point of final accomplishment) more and more clear for yourself so that you can almost touch, smell, see the colours and hear the sounds of all that's around you.

3. Set up physical spaces that fully support your designed future. Have your home office fitted with tools that really work for you. Have simple and clear filing and storage systems so there’s a place for everything and you don’t arrive at a desk each morning with numerous piles of tasks – putting you in a ‘space’ of overwhelm before you even begin the day. Begin to list and start putting together your necessary resources. For example, there is no sense offering hard-copy information to others if you do not have sufficient materials at your finger tips, should many opportunities show up all at once. Create email or hard-copy templates for standard replies to common requests.

4. Learn to control and manage the 'little voice' in your head. Thank it for sharing. Create an imaginary buddy for this ‘voice’, a buddy who tells you something to encourage and empower. You can even “tap” on your negative self-talk to gradually peel away the “onion-layers”!

5. Chart your progress and have your chart(s) on display. Know that you are moving and that you have made progress. Set specific milestones at preset dates that you can celebrate along the way.

A wide angled view of success is: being fulfilled, self-expressed, authentic and joyful. You cannot experience these without 100% congruence between you and your environment. Your environment either calls forth your authentic-self or keeps you locked in a cycle of frustration.

Resourceful sites: http://www.lifeexcellence.com/index.shtml; http://www.ecomhelp.com/KB/inspiration/kb_motivating-yourself-when-you-dont.htm; AND; http://www.coping.org/growth/success.htm

© Thea Westra is the senior thought leader, at her Forward Steps site. She resides in Perth, Australia with her ultra-supportive partner Greg. Thea publishes a monthly ezine (among many other publications and products) at http://www.forwardsteps.com.au Enjoy her life success blogs at http://www.timeformylife.com/blogs.htm and get personally connected here, http://www.ask-thea-about.com

Enthusiasm: The Magic Recipe of Success

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday May 19 2008

Welcome to brand spanking shining new week.

Last week’s theme of “happiness” most certainly hit the spot with many subscribers and I want to thank everyone for their feedback. Awesome stuff.

This week we’re going to be focusing on the theme of “enthusiasm”. This most necessary element to all successes is often the most elusive. We’re going to touch your senses with it.

We get started with a piece to set the tone for the week.

Enthusiasm: The Magic Recipe of Success

Ralph Waldo Emerson was right when he said, “Nothing great has been achieved without enthusiasm.”

A lot of people confuse enthusiasm with excitement. Enthusiasm is more than just jumping up and down or shouting your lungs out. That is excitement. Nobody could sustain such feeling of excitement for an extended length of time. Enthusiasm is bringing joy into your task.

However, some people could remain to be enthusiastic for long periods of time. Being enthusiastic involves openly expressing your deepest desires and feelings. You can show this by just a simple smile or maybe several shouts of joy. You don’t have to be boisterous to be enthusiastic; you just have to be willing to show your positive feelings.

The first step to improving your enthusiasm is awareness. It is logical not being enthusiastic about things we don’t know much about. If you know the cause, reason or purpose of these activities, it will be easier to develop a sense of enthusiasm towards them. More knowledge also eliminates fear, worry and doubt which are considered the great immobilizers.

Of course, to be enthusiastic, you need to act. True, you may have to discuss, argue, plan, rationalize and do other things which could delay taking action. However, once you work on it, you’ll see that things start to happen, which can keep your enthusiasm level up.

If you find yourself losing enthusiasm in doing repetitive tasks, just ask yourself the same questions why you started those tasks in the first place. Why do I have to do this? Will this help me get to where I want to go five years from now?

Sometimes, you might find it necessary to be involved in less interesting activities. To be enthusiastic even in these situations, just associate yourself with enthusiastic people. Enthusiasm, like optimism, is contagious.

People who show positive feelings on that activity will develop your desire to learn more about that specific task. You’ll soon find yourself reading enthusiastic books and engaging on interesting conversations about that activity.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you think the activity is getting more tedious. Tiring out yourself is not the best way to maintain an enthusiastic outlook. Don’t rush. Take your time to develop an interest in what you do, and don’t forget to accept a helping hand.

Whenever you do something, it would also be helpful if you have some sort of enthusiasm index to monitor each activity. For example, you may rate your level of enthusiasm on this particular activity today and then rate it again tomorrow. You could use a scale of 1 to 10 in rating.

By monitoring your level of enthusiasm, it will be easy for you to improve your enthusiasm level. You will be able to see when you enthusiasm level is going low, and thus, you can immediately correct it. And whenever you’ve noticed that your enthusiasm level is increasing, then you just need to figure out what caused it so you can do it again and again.

Developing an enthusiastic attitude is important to be able to reach your goals. Even if others have long given up on that task or activity, if you are enthusiastic enough, you’ll still have the inner spark that encourages you to continue what you are doing. Through enthusiasm, you can turn your life into an exciting journey.

The Three Words That Bring Happiness!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday May 16 2008

Welcome to the end of this “happiness” theme week.

Although we change themes next week, the subject of ‘happiness” never really ends for us. Frankly, it’s the only reason we are here.

In thinking of ways to wind up the week, I did a quick survey (totally unscientific) among some of our subscribers. I asked them what “words” made them feel the very happiest?

The responses covered the entire spectrum of language, however, three little words kept cropping up over and over and over. The words that make most people happiest are “I Love You”.

So, on that note, we offer a short video piece that adequately portrays the sentiment. Enjoy The Video Here (Turn up your speakers loud)

You should have "happied up" to level five today.

Take care

Have a "five fun" weekend.

See you on Monday

Hike Your Way to Happiness

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday May 15 2008

Welcome to this fine Thursday.

I’ve been having some interesting feedback this week from folks who are really taking to heart the whole subject of “happiness”. It tells me that we could spend months dealing with factors that lead to genuine “happiness”. We’ll come back to that.

We all strive for happiness in life. Like many, you probably think achievements such as education, marriage, family and social/financial status make you happy.

However, studies of happiness in several countries have found that these achievements have little to do with your happiness. For millions of people, happiness has remained a rather elusive goal. They've tried to buy happiness.

They've sought it through materialistic and pleasurable activities such as buying a new SUV or going on vacation. But nothing has seemed to work. For most people these changes, new possessions or temporary pleasures, might work for a while but will eventually become part of your status quo, and their power to deliver happiness will fade.

Much of my mail though, clearly shows that many folks have got the theme mixed up somewhat. The only quote I could think of that covered the entire spectrum is:

“But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?” Albert Camus

Today’s offering is a reflection from one of our U.K. contributors on the theme of the week.

Hike Your Way to Happiness

by Roger Elliot

(or why deliberate discomfort is good for you)

The other day a friend and myself spent 3 hours preparing to do an overnight hike. We packed a huge range of things into two large backpacks – things to keep us warm, to cook with, to keep us dry, to stop us from getting lost. In fact, all things that I would already have if I stayed at home.

We then had my wife's father drive us 20 miles from my house and we walked back. And not the shortest route either, or the flattest. In fact, we went out of our way to make the walk as arduous as possible.

So why did we do it?

It’s a question we pondered as we labored along under 40 pounds of load, peering bleary-eyed through sweat at the magnificent scenery around us. Why would two grown men, both reasonably sensible at other times, load themselves up like pack mules and ask to be abandoned miles from home?

And as we mulled it over, we started discussing the fact that much of modern life is geared towards making things easier. And there are many benefits to that:

1. hot water straight from the tap, no campfire required
2. heat on demand, no shivering necessary
3. light at the flick of a switch to extend your day as long as you want
4. food all in one place so you don’t have to hunt all over

No-one would argue that these are advances that have left us able to conduct more comfortable, fulfilling and hopefully useful lives. But what happens when we take it to extremes? We must remember that human beings have developed to struggle and overcome. Nature/God/evolution has enabled us to progress this far by ensuring we feel good when we reach a goal or solve a problem.

Our brains and bodies have evolved a wonderfully subtle built-in reward system to keep us achieving. Be it climbing a mountain or cleaning the house, our biology makes us feel good in order to keep us trying.

A vacuum of effort, meaning - and happiness?

So what happens when people stop making effort? When they stop stretching themselves? Take lottery winners for example; a year after their win, their happiness levels are the same as before it. Happiness does not come from having lots of money. Happiness comes from leading a satisfying life despite the fact that you have lots of money and can afford to sit around and do nothing.

In fact, with a little thought it is obvious that happiness does not come from the things that many of us in the West focus on every day. There are millions of happy people around the World who have little in material terms.

Why did we put ourselves through all that suffering?

So why go through step after step, mile after mile of burning muscles and aching backs? Because it made us feel good. And it made us feel good because:

1. we set and achieved a goal
2. we completed something arduous enough to stretch us and expand our perceptions of our own capabilities
3. the exercise released serotonin, and that combined with the exhaustion made us sleep better
4. we ached for days, reminding us of just how hard we had worked

Of course our friends and family have stopped talking to us because we won’t shut up about how tough we are, but that’s a small price to pay. ;-)

What Makes Me Happy? My 10 Habits

Welcome to the midweek point.

I’m having a whole bunch of fun here this week as I work my way through a ton on material on this week theme. Luckily for me, many of our contributors have a stock of writings on the subject, and part of my day is spent perusing some really neat stuff.

Today we send you and offering from a lady who does some very imaginative work. Her personal style may just assist you in bringing balance to some of your own day.

What Makes Me Happy? My 10 Habits
By Alvah Parker

What makes you happy? We are responsible for our own happiness so I want to insure that I do whatever is necessary to keep me happy and healthy. People are often focused on their goals. Instead these are habits I love to do and want to make sure I make time for them in my busy schedule. Writing them down helps me keep them in the top of my mind. For the most part they are activities I've been doing in previous years and I know they do a lot for my well being. What activities make you happy? I encourage you to make your own Happy Habit List!

1. 2 weeks of vacation time - This is something I instituted 3 years ago when I noticed that some years went by with no real vacation. I try to find something early in the year to put on my calendar for July. Sometimes I split the vacation time so there is some left for later in the year. Knowing it is on my calendar in January gives me something to look forward to.

2. Meditation time each day - This is a practice I am developing with the help of a coach friend. I love doing it but get so involved in my work taking time for this is often challenging. I've set up a special quiet place in my home to do this that is inviting and restful. It helps having a coach remind me too.

3. Exercise 3 times a week - Ok I said these are habits I love to do but not this one. I just love the way I feel after I am done! Amazingly even though I don't love it I am very good about doing this regularly.

4. Read at least one book a month that is non work related - I have a book club that keeps me honest on this one. I've been doing this for about 5 years now and have read a variety of books both fiction and non fiction. This month was the autobiography of Sidney Poitier and last month In the Heart of the Sea, a book about the whaling ship, Essex, that sank in the 1800s.

5. One concert or play each month - Since I love music this one isn't difficult either. During the month of December I went to two different Christmas Concerts. I love religious music of all types. (I sing in a Gospel Choir) December is a really good month for hearing this kind of music.

6. One totally free day each month with no agenda - Not so long ago Massachusetts had blue laws that kept all stores closed on Sunday. That meant Sunday was a really quiet day. I love the peace and quiet of having nothing scheduled. You probably can tell I am a planner so not planning is hard for me but when I do it I love it.

7. Have pedicure, facial or massage at least 6 times during the year. Another way to relax is to get away from it all for an hour or so. I enjoy it when I do it but unless I put it on my calendar I forget about it.

8. Try something I've never done - I try to do something new every year. Last year I went to the opera in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the year before I sang a solo at a workshop in Italy and another year I learned Yoga. This year who knows maybe I'll take up painting, do an improv class, or try ball room dancing.

9. More flowers in the house - I love gardening and in the summer bring lots of flowers into the house. This winter I picked up some winter evergreens to spread throughout my home but there is nothing like a beautiful flower to lift my spirits. In December I bought a beautiful rose for my kitchen table and today I bought a lovely flowering primrose plant that sits on my kitchen window.

10. Grandchildren Time - Nothing is more fun for me than spending time with my grandchildren. Last year I took my granddaughter to her first ballet. It was special performance of Cinderella for young children. She loved it and I loved watching her enjoy it. The same day I took my grandson out for an ice cream cone and scooter ride (He rode it not me). He likes his ice cream in a dish and eats it very slowly (to make it last!). Lots of time for a nice chat and very special! Seeing the world through a child's eyes is wonderful in the true sense of the word. (full of wonder)

Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor and Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. To subscribe send an email to join-roadtosuccess@go.netatlantic.com

Parker works with successful attorneys who feel overwhelmed by their work and are willing to take action to create a more profitable practice and a more fulfilling life.

The Highway To Happiness!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday May 13 2008

Welcome to Tuesday.

Thank you all who wrote about your reflections on Philip’s piece yesterday.

Today we are going to continue the theme with the second of the offerings from our friend Philip Humbert.

The Highway To Happiness!

by Philip Humbert

Yesterday I wrote about the "pursuit" of happiness. This week, want to talk about not just "pursuing" it but actually being happy! I think there's a big difference.

Based on the feedback, two things stood out in yesterday’s “reader”. First, readers reacted to my statement that happiness might be a "skill" to be learned rather than a feeling that occasionally happens to us. Second, there was reaction to my separating "happiness" from material possessions or success.

For our purposes, I'm not convinced that happiness is primarily an emotion, and I'm not convinced that happiness is directly related to "success" in the usual sense. I've known too many miserable millionaires! I prefer to think that happiness is a "way of being."

For Thomas Jefferson and the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the "pursuit of happiness" meant primarily the right to pursue wealth. They were concerned about life, liberty, and the freedom to pursue their interests as farmers or merchants. Today, we think of happiness very differently.

For most of us happiness is either an emotion ("I feel happy") or an on-going sense of fulfillment and satisfaction with our lives. I'm more interested in the longer-term. I want a lifetime of happiness! Sure, I enjoy moments of happiness during a party or on a roller coaster, but it's so short-lived! I want the long-lasting variety!

For me, the bigger and more interesting question is, "Can I achieve a life-time of happiness and personal fulfillment? Is that possible?" I believe the answer is a resounding YES! You CAN be happy most of the time, for the rest of your life.

How?

First, decide to be happy. Abraham Lincoln, who struggled with depression his entire life said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Happiness seems to begin with a desire to BE HAPPY! Most people focus their time and thoughts on getting things done, on achieving various goals or avoiding failure. And, there's nothing wrong with that, but in the process they forget to focus on being happy. Choose happiness as a project or goal or value, and focus on it. Take time to be happy every day.

Second, notice what makes you happy. Most of us know what makes us laugh or feel giddy for an evening, but we're not as certain about what brings long-term happiness.
What fills you with pride or satisfaction? What gives your life meaning and purpose? What people, places, activities and values bring peace of mind, contentment or fulfillment? Note these and see if they could play a larger role in your life.

Third, happiness is active, not passive. Happiness seems to come from living our values and priorities. Happiness comes from doing valuable and worthwhile things, from making a positive difference in our world. We all know the frustration of spending a hectic day being frantic over trivial things. Don't spend your life that way! Every day, invest some time doing things of ultimate value. Do things that reflect who you are and what you stand for.

Finally, happiness is more about giving than receiving. I've been blessed to have many things, and there are even more things I want in life. And of course, in small ways, many of these things do "make me happy." I enjoy them! But few of my "things" actually seem connected to my long-term happiness. I suspect we focus too much on the things we want, and not enough on the things we have to share. Many years ago, Jesus said, "It is better to give than to receive." Based on many observations, from the Dalai Lama to Mother Theresa and my own "best moments," I think there is truth in that.

If you want happiness, give more of yourself.