What is enthusiasm? Growing up, I associated enthusiasm with false inspiration.
As you can imagine, I wasn’t really a fan of enthusiasm.
But then I found out that enthusiasm came from the Greek word entheos, which means “the god within.”
And I learned that enthusiasm itself means an intense enjoyment, interest or approval.
Suddenly, I saw enthusiasm in a whole new light.
This is similar to when I learned that inspire is “to breathe life into,” and inspiration took on new meaning for me.
I started wondering how many people I breathe life into.
Now I am curious how people cultivate “the god within” and how they share “the god within” with others.
What is Enthusiasm?
Wikipedia defines enthusiasm as:
“Enthusiasm refers to intense enjoyment, interest, or approval expressed by a person.”
Here are a few definitions of enthusiasm from dictionaries:
- Enthusiasm is an intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
- Enthusiasm is a feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and an eagerness to be involved.
- Enthusiasm is a strong excitement about something a strong feeling of active interest in something that you like.
Entheos is “The God Within”
In the book, Little Book of Leadership: The 12.5 Strengths of Responsible, Reliable, Remarkable Leaders that Create Results, Rewards, and Resilience, Jeffrey Gitomer writes about enthusiasm and how he changed his view on what it means.
It’s a great thing when somebody or something lights our fire.
But, it’s a lot more empowering if you create your own enthusiasm.
Gitomer writes:
“Thirty five years ago, when I heard Earl Nightingale tell me that enthusiasm came from the Greek word ‘entheos’ (which means ‘the god within’), I changed my entire thought process by realizing that I cannot rely on things or other people to create it for me.”
Spread the Lesson
Empower people to seek or create their own enthusiasm from the inside out.
Gitomer writes:
“Your job as a leader is to teach the same lesson to all of your people so that they might receive the same gift.
A gift that altered my internal enthusiasm for the better, forever.”
Enthusiasm is Contagious
Enthusiasm is contagious.
And it works both ways.
Gitomer writes:
“Enthusiasm is contagious. Either by presence or by absence.
The more enthusiastic you are as a leader, the more enthusiastic it’s likely your people will be — and the more ready and willing they will be to accept whatever task you give them.”
Call to Action
- To make the most of what’s around you, unleash what’s inside of you.
- Share your gift of enthusiasm freely.
- Lift somebody up today. Enthusiasm is the gift that gives back.
You Might Also Like
3 Ways You Can Practice Positive Affirmations
Great Inspirational Quotes
Great Inspirational Quotes About Life
Great Inspirational Quotes for Work and Life
Inspire…To Breathe Life Into