How to Tap Into Enthusiasm Even When Work Sucks
Attitude is a decision about the way you show up.
You might not be able to control your environment, but attitude is a choice.
Attitude:
I’ll never forget the guy with his hat pulled down over his eyes. He was forced to attend a workshop I gave and he hated being there.
During a break I asked him what he did at work. He grumbled, “I don’t want to talk about work,” and walked away.
He polluted everyone he touched. Others avoided him.
A bad attitude ruins your life and results in mediocre work.
Enthusiasm:
Originally enthusiasm meant possessed by god. Bring your whole self to work, even when you’re doing things you don’t enjoy.
Do your work like you’re possessed.
Enthusiasm:
- Expresses your passion for success.
- Enables you to act creatively in situations that drain others.
- Indicates the work is important, even if it isn’t your favorite thing to do.
- Demonstrates that you bring your best self to every situation and task. Half-hearted performance is fully dissatisfying.
- Signals that you like to get things done. If it’s not your favorite thing, why drag it out. Get it done so you can do things you enjoy.
- Earns you the right to ask others to do things that they don’t love to do.
- Shows that you’re willing to serve, even when it isn’t fun.
There’s nothing useful or beneficial about bringing half yourself to work.
You’ll never earn the right to do the fun work, if you always bitch when you do the sucky work.
How might leaders embrace and encourage enthusiasm at work?
What’s dangerous about enthusiasm?
One of the dangers of enthusiasm would be when your co-workers are struggling in their personal lives. Probably good to temper it with compassion and offer to help them out on the work end or be available to listen. It’s okay to feel the enthusiasm in your heart and actions for helping others, too, but not necessary to show it. It comes through. Loved and needed this article this morning.
Thanks Wolfi. You are so right. When people feel blue it’s good to tone down your happiness so you can identify. When we tone down our enthusiasm it lets people know we get it.
Of course you don’t want to be that way over the long-term.
Choice and Choices. Generating considered alternatives.
And others have only minor influences on the above, unless we allow input.
On the other hand, our external and internal environments have a direct connection to how we view the world.
Your posts are always good for thought, Dan. And today is one of those days for me where I need to reframe a couple of things before I get rolling. Thanks.
Thanks Dr. Scott. …. “unless we allow input.” Making room for people to share their thoughts is a great way to generate enthusiasm. Our interest in others is an invitation for others to act with enthusiasm.
More great thoughts Dan. We are focused on Influence in this moment and I can’t help but think that Enthusiasm will accelerate Influence. I am continually refreshed when I take the time to realize that Leadership is connected to so many variables/mindsets/characteristics. It is a long chain of links that depend on each other for the strength to pull (influence) when needed.
Always appreciate your words! Thanks.
Thanks Will. Wonderful insight. Enthusiasm enhances influence.
I’ll add that too much enthusiasm on our part might overwhelm people. As Dr Scott said above, allow input from others. Sometimes we can be so enthusiastic that we don’t make room for others.
Thanks for a chance to reflect on this.
I have always poured myself into my work with enthusiasm. Now this is challenging in that sometimes (ok most times) my focus, determination and enthusiasm rubs others wrongly. Some think its too much but with those I disagree as I believe their approach is not enough and they settle for too little in their outcomes. That’s really where the rub comes in approaches. It tries my patience when I do not see others working as I do but I persevere. Its not as if my expectations are unrealistic its just I see laziness when its not necessary. Attitude drives it all as you note but I just don’t see much positive attitude out there; family, work, media just seem to drive people negative continuously.
Whenever someone asks me how things are going, I respond “Excellent.” Even when I was walking around with an ice bag on my head because I had a painful case of shingles. Because it really is about attitude.
When someone asks how I am doing, I send them for a loop by replying; “if I were any better, I would be twins!” Even as I might be in pain as Jennifer notes. It usually causes laughter and breaks up the drama around us all.
Hello Dan
I look forward to reading your blog daily. I currently blog relative to leadership in a school. I have quoted you many times. Last week I wrote focusing on this question, Can you coach energy? I was surprised by the overwhelming response I received telling me that you can’t. I believe that you can. Although it may be difficult I think that you can surely coach people in this regard. Yes, you choose your attitude, but I continue to believe that you can help people bring energy and enthusiasm to the job.
I learned a long time ago heart and attitude will take you further then knowledge and far more then skill. A pilot at work told me attitude will affect your altitude. I have seen many that knew how but could never really do it when it came time. It is also good to have fun.
Thanks, Dan. I will read this to my kids tonight. This is a life lesson, for sure!
Hey Anthony. Thanks for dropping in. Best to you and your kids.
I agree completely with the article! In my particular maintenance career field, it is extremely hard to see the positive side. There is very little job satisfaction. However, trying to keep a daily positive attitude, I could see that the people around me started changing. It wasn’t the job that was so hum-drum, but it was the leadership KNOWING that the job was very bland. It is amazing how far a good attitude can take you!
Good evening,
I see enthusiasm as a state-of-mind. I really do not think enthusiasm works like as light switch. It is not something that can be easily turned on or off. It takes work to become enthusiastic. There are also degrees of enthusiasm. I am a laid-back mellow woman. So, my levels of enthusiasm will never go off the charts so to speak.