“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”   Ralph Waldo Emerson

“From that day on, I began to sell. The ‘Magic of Enthusiasm’ began to work for me in business, just as it had in baseball….I would not want to give anybody the impression that I think enthusiasm consists of fist-pounding…but if fist-pounding is what you need to arouse yourself inside, then I am overwhelmingly for it. I know this: When I force myself to act enthusiastic, I soon feel enthusiastic.”

“Force yourself to act enthusiastic, and you’ll become enthusiastic!”

Frank Bettger, How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling

Enthusiasm is a vital quality for us as writers on two fronts:

First, enthusiasm is the self-motivating excitement and energy we bring to our own work — the adrenalin boost we give ourselves when we bring joy and vigor to the page. And second, there’s  the enthusiasm we give others when we share our encouragement and excitement with them about what they are doing. This is a transfer of energy.

As Frank Bettger’s inspiring comments above suggest, there’s a simple, but powerful technique you can use to light an inner fire — “to arouse yourself inside.” Just “act as if” you’re excited and energized and you’ll become excited and energized.

What does enthusiasm look like for you? Would you bounce out of bed, ready for action? Would your mind be buzzing with ideas? Would you be totally “in the zone” when you began playing on the page? Whatever the ingredients are for you, why not try “acting as if” you have them in abundance and see what happens? Let “the Magic of Enthusiasm” work its magic on you.

And if you do decide to up your Enthusiasm IQ, help is at hand! My good friend and mentor Dr. Rob Gilbert has recorded Frank Bettger’s inspiring chapter on enthusiasm from his classic book. Just call this number: 1.862.333.0024 — and you can hear the recording. It takes about 3-5 minutes, but it’s well worth the time. Dr. Gilbert, a sports psychologist, suggests that you listen to it every day for 28 days in order to make it part of your DNA. Why not give it a try and let me know what you think! I’m calling it myself, because I need all the enthusiasm I can create! How about you? Write on!