Lesson 30: Enthusiasm is infectious.

Author's note: I am a compulsive advice-giver-always have been.  When my own son was in high school, he wasn't interested in his old man's advice so I wrote it down in the hope that he might change his mind one day.  What follows is one piece of that advice.  I trust it applies to all of us, regardless of age.

Nothing is easy to the unwilling.

—Thomas Fuller

It’s true: nothing is easy to the unwilling. In fact, one might say that nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Life ain’t for sissies, as they say.

But why would you want to make it any harder than it has to be? Why not do everything possible to make it easier and more enjoyable? Life is a great, fun adventure—and if you treat it that way, you’ll lighten the burden for yourself and those around you.

Take the late Steve Irwin, Australia’s famed “Crocodile Hunter,” as an example. He was so enthusiastic about his work that you couldn’t help becoming interested yourself. Irwin knew the secret value of enthusiasm.

There’s no denying that people are drawn to enthusiasm. It’s true that some people are enthusiastic to the point of being annoying, but that’s not the person I’m talking about. I’m talking about the person who gets excited about doing worthwhile tasks, who throws herself into every assignment with energy and a smile on her face.

We’ve all known enthusiastic people, and we often wonder how they do it. Each of us has things that excite our own enthusiasm, but those are usually subjects or areas that hold a special interest for us. How can some people seem to be interested in almost everything?

The answer is simple: they decide to be interested, and in doing so, they decide to be enthusiastic. Enthusiastic people not only do a better job, but they inspire those around them to do better as well. Enthusiasm is a self-chosen trait that makes work easier and makes you more valuable to others.

Obviously, you’ll find it easier to be enthusiastic about some jobs and subjects than others. And some days it will be hard to work up enthusiasm for anything. Do it anyway—it’s worth the effort.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that enthusiasm is for suck-ups. That’s a juvenile attitude that only hurts you. You’re not a juvenile anymore, and you can’t afford to think like one. Enthusiasm can make your life easier, more fun, and more rewarding—both financially and otherwise. And as a bonus, your enthusiasm will also benefit everyone around you. Try it—you’ll like it!