There has been a myth floating around for a number of years that’s says, “if you act enthusiastic you will be come enthusiastic”. Yes and no.
If you tend to be enthusiastic when things age going well let me ask you – do you act just as enthusiastic when you are going down in flames and life is filled with problem after problem?
Optimism, enthusiasm, being positive and hopeful are not acts, they are either a part of your belief system, who you are, or they are not. Can you smile in the midst of trauma, problems, adversity and failure? Can you laugh at life’s tribulations and challenges? Do you bring the same passion to life and it’s activities when life throws you nothing but curves, disappointment and frustration as when everything is working and “life is good”?
Enthusiasm, optimism and a positive life outlook can be cultivated but they will not come quickly or easily and they will be tested relentlessly as you move through the days and minutes of your life.
A few months ago I spent a few hours in my local bookstore and decided to count (yes I have better things to do but I was just curious). I counted over 350 books and CD’s on; how to be positive, how to overcome failure, how to keep your enthusiasm etc. I must admit I have read, listened to and studied most of them but from time to time I still have bouts of discouragement, frustration, worry and sometimes even hopelessness. Why? I mean I know better – I preach this stuff.
A few weeks ago when I was re-reading one of my last books - Success is a Decision – Yes I read my own books, I just pretend they were written by someone else. Anyway, it hit me – these times of discouragement are normal, failure is always lurking in the wings, problems come day in and day out and they never seem to stop and tribulations are a part of life. The key is not to try and eliminate all of this stuff from your life but to use it as an on-going test to see if your enthusiasm and optimism are just an act or if it is who you really are?
If you turn your optimism, enthusiasm or passion on and off depending on what is going on in your life – well then - yes it’s just an act and I will tell you, that this act will never become who you really are. I recently wrote an article for a magazine called, Can you smile and laugh in the middle of adversity? It’s premise is that if you turn these emotions, behaviors, actions, beliefs or attitudes on or off depending on what is in your life at any time, you just are not getting this principle.
There are too many books out there on attraction, intention and attitude development that I can even begin to count. So, the material is available and most of it is valuable and worthwhile so why do so many people still struggle with this simple concept? Either they are not reading the books or they just don’t want to do the work. You see it takes more than reading the books and listening to the CD’s, you have to do the work.
What is the work? It’s simple but not easy.
It takes dedicated time each day.
It takes focus.
It takes courage.
It takes will.
It takes persistence.
It takes action and follow-through.
And it takes a belief that the work will be worthwhile.
So, buy a few of the books, study the principles and do the work so that you can leave your optimism and enthusiasm switch ON no matter what.
Tim Connor, CSP is an internationally renowned sales, management and leadership speaker, trainer and best selling author. Since 1981 he has given over 3500 presentations in 21 countries on a variety of sales, management, leadership and relationship topics. He is the best selling author of over 60 books including; Soft Sell, That’s Life, Peace Of Mind, 81 Challenges Managers Face and Your First Year In Sales. He is also the CEO of ProfessionalSales Association Of America. He can be reached at tim@timconnor.com, 704-895-1230 or visit his websites at http://www.timconnor.com or http://www.ProfessionalSalesAssociationOfAmerica.com
Tags: balance, goals, happiness, inspiration, motivation, peace of mind, relationships, Success
Related Posts
-
Make Money
Partner links
-
RSS Reader
-
Directory
