Don’t outlive your enthusiasm!

I was in a store a few days ago to purchase organic, grass fed bones to make bone broth for my dog. When I got to the check out line there were 3 lines to choose from. They were all fairly the same length and I paused to observe the cashiers before I chose which line I would use. I noticed the cashier that was directly in front of me was very enthusiastic and genuinely friendly to her customers. I chose that line. I noticed how she took a personal interest and was sincerely caring. She greeted some people by name. I was very impressed with her demeanor.

I thought how easy it is to lose our enthusiasm. Maybe you’re tired of going to the same job, doing the same task day after day, year after year. Maybe you have been battling a long illness that has zapped your strength and enthusiasm.  It can be any number of things but the good thing is that we can be enthusiastic about  our situation if we choose to be.

There was a time when I had so many doctor appointments each week, I could barely keep track. At times I felt like my life was on a downward spiral and I would never be well again. Something inside of me refused to give in to all the negative things I was facing. Instead, I began to realize when I went to these appointments, there were people in that waiting room who were very fearful and afraid. I could encourage them because I had faced those same fears and I could share my courage. I wasn’t enthusiastic about being there either but my enthusiasm lay in the hope inside of me. Enthusiasm is contagious.

I read a story one time in The book of Business Anecdotes about a man who was managing 15 stores in Cleveland, Ohio when a blizzard hit town. The storm paralyzed the city and all 15 stores were empty. The employees of these stores didn’t have much to do. This man came up with a very enthusiastic idea. He had the employees make snowballs! Almost 8000 of them.  They then packed them into crates and stored them in a deep freeze facility. He went to New York and contacted the president of General Foods. He proposed a joint promotional sale the following July during the hottest days of the year. The sale would be called a Blizzard of values. General Foods would be giving away samples of their new line of frozen foods and the other company would provide snowballs! Summer came and it was 100 degrees outside when the joint sale began. Police had to be called to control the crowds! General Foods gave away more than 40,000 samples of frozen food accompanied by nearly 8000 snowballs. Thousands were introduced to the new products. Wow. A little enthusiasm produced a huge boost in sales.

You can provide your enthusiasm to any project and bring a contagious Joy to others. Enthusiasm spreads quickly and can help change attitudes from discouragement to hope.