A LETTER FROM CHRIS SUAREZ
GIVE ME SOME ENTHUSIASM
This week after spending some time with a group of our partners from across the country, someone sent me a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote. It simply said:
“Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm.”
It led to a conversation around the fact that over the last couple of days great enthusiasm was brought to some pretty simple topics. We brought enthusiasm to conversations around systems, and technology, and financials, and processes. Topics that others might deliver as content, were talked about enthusiastically.
We often attribute great accomplishments to incredible intelligence and completed degrees. We associate crushed goals with countless hours and unending drive. Of course all of those things contribute, but they are not the cause.
Achieving anything great is based on the enthusiasm we have. We can be brilliant and pedigreed and put in the hours and add in drive. But without enthusiasm none of those things matter. Conversely we could identify as average in all of those things, yet bring enthusiasm to any mission or challenge and still win. The secret to accomplishing anything is the level of enthusiasm the team has around the mission.
What are the benefits of enthusiasm?
Enthusiasm is contagious. Any great accomplishment takes a team of people. In order to bring a team of people along and get them committed to doing the work, it takes extended motivation. Enthusiasm for that mission will act as both an attractor and a motivator.
Enthusiasm encourages creativity. When we bring enthusiasm to any challenge, it creates a space to share ideas, to collaborate, to allow for differences in opinion, and to create new space.
Enthusiasm builds resilience. Enthusiasm allows us to recover from disappointments, to bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive outlook on the future. All of these things are necessary to accomplish anything meaningful.
Enthusiasm leads to learning. When enthusiasm is brought to a project or a group, there will always be a drive to discover, to ask questions, to be curious, and to learn. Accomplishing anything will take new ideas, expanded understanding, and a blend of perspectives.
Enthusiasm is a choice. The good news is we can choose to be enthusiastic and find reasons to be enthusiastic about almost anything. It is rooted in optimism and positivity and our focus on a preferred future.
As leaders, as parents, as friends, as coworkers, as change agents choose to show up this week with just a little added enthusiasm. Go ahead. Giver yourself permission to bring enthusiasm to everything you do tomorrow, and then the next day, and then the next day. The compound effect of enthusiasm in your life and in the lives around you will be life changing.
Chris Suarez