CHAPTER 10 - Enthusiasm – The Missing Link

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm," said Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Enthusiasm is that feeling within that inspires and prompts one to act without thought of reward. It is that inspiring, vitalizing, propelling power that takes possession of an individual and causes him to lose himself in that which he is doing. It is the most powerful form of energy that one can generate.

The influence of enthusiasm on the human mind and body is as demonstrable as that of breathing. Its results can be measured in terms of increased physical vitality, greater intellectual buoyancy, moral stamina, and a deeper understanding of the realities underlying all human action. Enthusiasm lights up the whole human consciousness, floods every cell with energy, puts sparkle in the eye, and scintillates the entire personality.

Enthusiasm is so important to stimulate the function of ability that if it were possible to take a man apart, to generate enthusiasm would be quite a simple process. However, man is an individual made up of physiological qualities, psychological attributes, and spiritual aspirations. Each of these is a contributing factor in generating enthusiasm. As an individual, man must live with all of his component parts. He has interests, instincts, appetites, urges and impulses that sponsor his desires. He has courage, faith and determination that sponsor his ambition. He has thought, intellect, and reason that sponsor his knowledge. These are all separate attributes that live under one roof and are confined to one house, the human body. The wisdom exercised in the harmonious use of all of the different qualities and attributes of the individual largely determine the quality and quantity of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the very soul of man in action and is the product of harmonious relations existing in his physical and mental attributes.

The enthusiasm of an individual cannot be measured or proved as a mathematical proposition or as a chemical formula. The proof of enthusiasm can only be tested by its practical consequences, and each individual must prove it for himself. If it succeeds in obtaining results, then it proves itself. "By their fruits ye shall know them." It is like the wind, you cannot see or prove it, but you can feel and see its effects. Enthusiasm springs from order in the human consciousness, and this can largely be controlled and guided by the individual.

Frank Bettger In his famous book “How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success In Selling”. Wrote If you don’t FEEL enthusiastic, ACT enthusiastic. Soon, you’ll BE enthusiastic. Double your enthusiasm and you’ll probably double your income

Emerson Quoted "Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved."

Carnegie Quoted; "People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents".

It is not putting in hours, but putting yourself into the hours that win promotion, earns more money, precipitates an increase in salary and gets you ahead. "Procrastination is the thief of time." Postponement and indecision largely owe to lack of enthusiasm. You must have many incentives and urges to do things. You have an accumulation of unfilled hopes and desires, and the only way to put them into action is to generate enthusiasm and begin. "Indecision brings its own delays. And days are lost lamenting o'er lost days. Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute. What you can do, or dream, you can do--begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Only engage, then mind grows heated and the work will be completed."

The law of nature is: "Do the thing and you shall have the power." Therefore, whatever you want to do, begin it. Once you begin to generate enthusiasm, you will have all the vim, vigour, vitality, power and force that you need to keep it up. Try it. You will get results. Your success and progress will not only be fascinating and stimulating, but it will be beyond your own comprehension.

Enthusiasm is one of your greatest assets. It is better than money, power or influence--with enthusiasm you become the master of these. Enthusiasm over-comes all prejudice and opposition and engulfs all obstacles. Combine enthusiasm with faith and initiative, and you can move mountains and achieve results unheard of.
Enthusiasm used with wisdom and discretion inspires confidence and makes people believe in you, work with you and love you. It will make what you are doing, or what you are selling, be it yourself or ideas, speak with dynamic authority and ring with the spirit of sincerity. It will turn your ability into cash.

Enthusiasm is literally the gateway of approach to your spiritual qualities. It not only gives deep conviction to the words you speak, but it projects its influence into the inner recesses of the soul of anyone whom it touches.

Enthusiasm is a builder of new ideas It is not surprising, therefore, that Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” For he had felt the rebound of enthusiasm in his own soul, where it revealed to him the hidden forces of his being and made his name immortal.

And it was this same rebound of enthusiasm, deep within the soul of Helen Keller, which inspired her with the faith through which she mastered her afflictions of deafness, dumbness and blindness.

It carried Edison through ten thousand failures and revealed to him, at long last, the secret of the incandescent electric lamp. Psychologists who have studied Edison’s achievements all agree that his astounding physical endurances were inspired by his enduring enthusiasm for his definite major purpose.

It was this same undying enthusiasm for the cause of American Independence, which inspired George Washington to keep on fighting in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles until freedom, and liberty had been secured for the United States of America.

Enthusiasm was the power, which sustained Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and enabled him to carry on until he had saved the nation from self-destruction.

Enthusiasm is a combination of mental and physical energy, which is seldom found in an ailing body. It thrives best where sound physical health abounds. Sound health begins with the development and maintenance of health consciousness, just as economic success begins with prosperity consciousness.

Four ingredients, which create the burning desire of Enthusiasm, are: Hope and faith is the forerunner of enthusiasm that creates a Burning desire. The smoldering embers of hope are fanned into the white flame of faith by feeding them on controlled enthusiasm backed by definiteness of purpose. The fanning process should be continued until ordinary desire becomes burning desire.

Hope, enthusiasm, and faith are the key words because of their close relationship. When they are combined with definiteness of purpose, they give one access to unlimited mind-power of enthusiasm. These are the four factors, which lead to a burning desire.
Hope alone is of little value. It is but little more than a wish, and everyone has wishes in abundance., Nothing comes of wishes until they are organized and associated with their companions: definiteness of purpose, enthusiasm and faith.

The process of organization takes place through self-discipline. This is the principle through which enthusiasm may be organized, controlled and directed to a definite end.

Other principles of this philosophy which are related to enthusiasm and which may be needed for its organization and control are:
·    Definiteness of Purpose
·    The Master Mind
·    Pleasing Personality
·    Personal Initiative
·    The Habit of Learning from Defeat
·    The Habit of Going the Extra Mile
·    Applied Faith
·    Creative Vision
·    Concentration
·    The Habit of Health
·    Accurate Thinking

Mastery and application of these twelve principles will place you within easy reach of controlled enthusiasm. This has been the experience of every person who has mastered this philosophy, and it will be yours!

Men of great achievement are men of great desires. You will have such desires, and achieve them, if you will follow the instructions you have been given. Remember: Anything in life worth having is worth working for. And there is a price to be paid. The price for reaping the benefits of this philosophy consists mainly in eternal vigilance and everlasting persistence in applying such a philosophy as a daily habit. Mere knowledge is not enough. It must be applied.
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