Bringing Balance to Life: Choose Enthusiasm

At a fruit stand the farmer arranged his blueberries in attractive baskets but said nothing to the first ten customers who passed him. Only one person purchased blueberries.

He offered the next ten a basket of blueberries with this assertive query, "You want some blueberries, don't you?!" Half of them purchased his blueberries.

He asked the last ten, "Do you want one or two baskets of blueberries?"  Four customers bought two baskets; five acquired one basket; only one refused to buy.

Enthusiastic assumptions assure successful outcomes. Corporate presidents voted enthusiasm the most valuable personality trait. It's the biggest single factor in successful selling. It wins ball games. Inspires audiences. Enhances learning. Builds team spirit. Propels careers. 

Become enthusiastic by acting enthusiastically. See your dreams come true. Talk enthusiastically.  Your words and actions determine your level of enthusiasm.

Make dull days bright by adding zip to everything you do. Put a bounce in your step. A hearty handshake indicates you are glad to be alive and happy to be with the other person. A robust smile radiates enthusiasm. Reply to the mundane, "How do you do?" with an attention getting, "Fantastic...and I'm going to get better!" Put spirit into your speech by varying the pace, raising and lowering the pitch, changing the tone and modulation. Talk with more than your mouth----use wide sweeping gestures. Don't hold back. Turn it on. Force yourself to act with enthusiasm and soon you will feel enthusiastic.

Broadcast good news. Take sunshine to work. Positive news promotes good will and spreads enthusiasm.  Talk about the exciting things your company is doing. Compliment people you work with. Always aim to make people feel better than they otherwise would.

Bring rainbows home.  Talk to your family about the amusing, pleasant things you experienced during the day. Be a positive, optimistic example for your loved ones. 

Learn something useful. The more you know about some­thing, the more your enthusiasm for that subject soars. Make an effort to learn all you can about people----ask about their occupation, their families, their hobbies, their dreams and ideas. Keep asking and you're certain to find something to get enthusiastic about. 

Find time to play. Free and spontaneous activity emphasizes enjoyment not achievement. Emotion, not effort, enhances play. 

Cultivate gratitude. Glorify in your blessings, your expectations, and your abundant opportunities.