Thursday, January 31, 2008
Harness the Power of Enthusiasm!
How to Harness the Power of Your Enthusiasm!
Something new for 2008 is my gift to you of periodically offering excerpts from the How to Harness the Power of Your Enthusiasm! e-course, through this blog. You will also get tips and engage in activities designed to help you harness the power of your enthusiasm.
Enthusiasm focus for today: Exploring the question What is Enthusiasm?
(Some of the following information will serve as a refresher for long-time readers of this blog.)
Throughout the years I have come to discover enthusiasm is something everyone knows about through his or her own experiences. Yet, it is something the can be somewhat challenging to define in specific, concrete terms. Defining enthusiasm is an interesting process. If you ask 100 people you would most likely get 100 different answers. Some you would agree with; others you would not.
Since 1990 I have been collecting responses to five survey questions. Here are the overall Top 5 responses from Enthusiasm! program participants when asked, What is the first things that comes to mind when you think of enthusiasm?
1. Energy
2. Excitement/excited
3. Happy/happiness
4. Positive/positive attitude
5. Be/being…(with family, friends, enthusiastic people, etc.)
Perhaps it would be more appropriate to ask, How do you experience and express enthusiasm? Common responses to this question range from thoughts and feelings, to energy and excitement, to smiles and lust for life, with numerous things in between.
Additionally, enthusiasm is
…a dynamic energy experienced and expressed by a person in ways unique to them.
…wholistic. The physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and energetic aspects of your Beingness are affected.
…a force that can cause things to happen and people to move through challenges, fear, resistance and the veils of illusion.
And yet there is still so much more to it.
Are you wondering why we need to define enthusiasm? If you are wanting to harness the power of your enthusiasm, it helps to have clarity on what that might mean. Beginning to define what enthusiasm is, is one way to get clarity.
Optional Activity
(Note: You may want to have a notebook or journal handy.)
Set aside some time for reflection and contemplation on enthusiasm, daily if possible. Once you begin to feel relaxed:
. give yourself permission to open to your natural expression and experience of enthusiasm. You may want to do this several times a week in order to anchor it.
. notice where you feel your enthusiasm and how you experience it during this time of reflection and contemplation.
. ask or notice if there is a particular color associated with your enthusiasm.
. notice if there is a symbol that comes to mind.
Write or draw your insights from this time of reflection if it feels appropriate.
Next Step…
As you continue your exploration into How to Harness the Power of Your Enthusiasm!,
. Be with AWE!—Awareness: notice how you feel throughout your everyday experience; Willingness: be willing to open to exploring enthusiasm on many levels and in many ways; Expectation: expect to discover new and interesting insights into enthusiasm that you can harness in all areas of your life.
. Bring the color (or colors) associated with enthusiasm into your environment. Wear it if possible.
. If a symbol came to mind, then have the symbol, or a picture of it, where you can see it often.
May you enjoy your ongoing exploration of what enthusiasm is for you.
With Joy and Enthusiasm,
Antoinette
© 2008 Antoinette S. Webster. All rights reserved. www.ASystemthatWorks.com
To find out more about how to Harness the Power of Enthusiasm!,
Antoinette is also available for interviews, speaking engagements, keynotes and spouse programs along with training programs, retreats and workshops. And she works with a limited number of individuals and groups for ongoing coaching. Contact her at 513.887.0600 or Info (at) ASystemthatWorks.com to schedule a program for your organization—in person or by teleseminar—or an appointment for a private session.
