Today is Friday. Normally, Interpersonal Competence would be the subject of this post. However, as you’ll recall, I did a post on Interpersonal Competence on Tuesday in honor of my Mother-in-Law’s birthday.
So today, I’m doing a post on Positive Personal Impact to make up for the one I missed on Tuesday. Read on for some comments on the importance of enthusiasm…
Carol, the Career Guru, posted a comment on this blog. It said: “Bud, I like your enthusiasm. You even look enthusiastic in your photo. I wish you the very best.”
Well, thank you Carol – for your comment, your wishes for my success, but most of all for reminding me about the importance of enthusiasm in creating a positive personal impact.
I went to Wikipedia and learned some interesting things about the words “enthusiast and enthusiasm”. Originally, an enthusiast was a person who was possessed by a God. The ancient Greeks applied the word to manifestations of divine possession in people. The term “enthusiasm” was also used in ancient times to describe a transformed state. Socrates, for example speaks of the inspiration of poets as a form of enthusiasm.
According to Wikipedia, in modern usage the word “enthusiasm” has lost its religious significance, and means a whole-hearted devotion to an ideal, cause, study or pursuit. Today a person is said to be enthusiastic if he or she is excited about what he or she is engaged in.
I am whole heartedly devoted to helping people use their common sense to prosper – in business and in life. I am excited about what I am doing. So, I guess that makes me a common sense enthusiast.
My enthusiasm has served me well over the years. It has helped me present positively when I meet new people. It has gotten me through the rough spots that all entrepreneurs encounter.
Enthusiasm is the key to positive personal impact. People want to meet and do business with people who are excited about what they’re doing.
Your enthusiasm (or lack thereof) is always on display. It comes across in your telephone voice, your posture, your voice mail greeting, your e mails, and everything you do when you come into contact with other people.
The other day, I was in a meeting at a client’s office. A woman I know stuck her head in the door to confirm a later meeting with the person with whom I was meeting. I said “hi, how are you?” With a hassled look and frown on her face she said in a sarcastic tone, “just peachy”. I know she was busy, and I’m a friend who she probably feels she doesn’t need to impress, but quite frankly, her personal impact was a disaster.
Contrast this with my friend, Laura Barton. I called her one day and after I identified myself, she said “Bud, how wonderful to hear your voice”. At the time, Laura was recovering from breast cancer – yet her personal impact was great.
So, the common sense point here: show some enthusiasm for who you are, and what you are doing. Other people will notice and respond positively to you.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my other blog www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a business, and my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
PPS: Check out my new blog www.CommonSenseDay.com. I've designated November 4 as "Use Your Common Sense Day". November 4 is Will Rogers' birthday. Will was a great American humorist who once said "common sense ain't all that common." www.CommonSenseDay.com is devoted to examples of common sense in action (and inaction). I'm on a crusade to get people to use their common sense. Join me.
Comment Preview