Enthusiasm can be said to be an intense interest and energy towards something. It was derived from two words – entheos, which means ‘to be possessed by a god.’ Thus, an enthusiastic person can be said to be divinely possessed by God.
Enthusiasm is so powerful that it has been employed by high-performing men and women of all ages in harnessing its power to achieve exceptional excellence in their fields.
A prominent example that comes to mind is Henry Ford, founder of Ford motors. Henry Ford is one of the greatest minds that brought innovation to the world.
One thing that is not known widely about Henry Ford is his deep enthusiasm for what he did. According to reports from Acquaintances, Henry would spend so much time with engines and equipment, and when he finally emerged, he spent the time thinking about them. He exhibited passive enthusiasm.
This leads to the types of enthusiasm there are.
There are two types of enthusiasm that are prevalent in people.
- Passive Enthusiasm
- Active Enthusiasm
Passive enthusiasm is the type of enthusiasm that is expressed in subtle ways. Writing is an excellent example of passive enthusiasm. Writers convey this through their words and writing style.
Henry Ford equally is an excellent example of passive enthusiasts. Through his engines and equipment, he shared his enthusiasm with the world.
Active enthusiasm is the type of enthusiasm that is very visible. This is seen in the excitement, the high pitch, and the energy given. Active enthusiasm is most often exhibited in Speakers, singers, dancers, etc.
Active enthusiasm is contagious and can move a crowd to action. And sometimes, it can be misdirected.
An example is when Adolf Hilter led one of the world’s most enormous killing sprees against the Jews. He infected the Germans with hatred against the Jews, leading to the mass killing of the Jews.
This is a vivid example of how destructive misdirected enthusiasm is.
There are six ways to identify Enthusiasts amid the crowd.
Effective Communication
Enthusiasts are very effective in communication. They can pass along their message without ambiguity in it. They can arouse emotions with their choices of words and preferred writing styles.
Enthusiasm (through effective communication) ensures that the message is passed along clearly, free from double meaning or misinterpretation. Enthusiasts are often effective communicators.
High Energy Levels
One significant indicator of enthusiasm is the high energy levels that are associated with it. Enthusiasts are easily recognizable in any given crowd.
They are bustling with energy, willing to help, contribute, and give their opinions and viewpoints.
Sometimes, they are the leaders, willing to direct everyone on how to achieve the goals. Other times, they are the leader’s support system, working hard to support the execution of plans.
Focused attention, if directed.
Another indicator of enthusiasm is focused attention if the enthusiasm is properly directed. When directed to a specific thing, enthusiasm results in a high attention span, leading to quality results.
A prominent example of this is Steve Jobs. Jobs exhibited a significant quality in his successes: his deep enthusiasm for life. This, in turn, resulted in deep attention spans, which were helpful in his generation of revolutionary ideas.
High Productivity
High productivity levels often characterize enthusiasts. This is evident in their work ethic and the results they produce.
In the world of start-ups, enthusiasm is the fuel on which most entrepreneurs run. Their enthusiasm for their ideas drives their zeal and passion for working hard and producing excellent products for the world.
Increased Magnetism
A noticeable characteristic of enthusiastic people is how magnetic they are. For example, when an enthusiastic person enters a room, you find that everyone’s attention is suddenly in the room.
They stand out in any given environment because they can attract others through their good vibes. People see/feel their good thoughts and actions, thus, are willing to connect with them.
Ability to rally cooperation and support.
Someone enthusiastic can rally others to support and cooperate with their cause. They will find it easier to convince and involve people in their cause.
How can young people benefit from being enthusiastic?
Young people, especially people seeking to make their mark in the world, should develop the skill of enthusiasm.
Young people in their personal life would experience more success by being enthusiastic about their goals and objectives set.
In their career, being enthusiastic would put them at an advantage, making them likable and pleasing enough to receive more opportunities.
Do note that enthusiasm must be consciously directed to produce maximum results. If not, it will be misdirected for the wrong purposes.
