Daily Inspiration 1-23-10

"Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no matter how frightening or difficult, a new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity but with it you can accomplish miracles."

-- Og Mandino


"To become enthusiastic, act enthusiastically."

-- Frank Bettger


There is great advice in the Og Mandino quote above, and even simpler and easier to deal with advice from Frank Bettger. I like them both, but I have adopted Frank Bettger's advice because it works every time I do it. No matter how I am feeling at the moment, if I want to change how I am feeling, I know I can instantly by acting enthusiastic. It always results in the change I desire. How can you beat something that works every time.

Frank Bettger wrote several books beginning in the late 1940's. His most popular book was first published in 1949 and was titled, How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success In Selling. Long title. Great book. I've read it more than 10 times and first found it as a brand new salesman for a car dealership in 1972 at the public library. It was an immense help to me starting out in that business, and there are many aspects of that book that I use to this day. The greatest and most rewarding of these is his chapter on enthusiasm which is the first chapter in the book. Anyone in sales of any product or service can benefit from this timeless classic.

Nothing happens without some excitement; some enthusiasm. It is not only a catalyst for you, it is a catalyst for others at the same time. It is contagious.

When you're enthusiastic, you are optimistic. It is impossible to be enthusiastic and pessimistic at the same time. They cancel each other. When you're enthusiastic, your body shows it with a brightness in your face, a smile, looking forward, energetic posture. It is impossible to be enthusiastic and hang your head low. Much of this aspect, I learned from Anthony Robbins. He says, you can change your thoughts just by changing your posture. He is right.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of being enthusiastic. It is a high. You feel wonderful and excited and interested. It can come in an instant and through your practice of acting enthusiastically, it will begin to come naturally. You can be sitting at home alone and just start thinking enthusiastically and the grin on your face will have you feeling so darn good about everything. That is worth it, don't you think?

Now, let's take this where it needs to go:

To become ____________, act ______________.

Fill that in as many ways as you can. Here are some ideas:

To become cheerful, act cheerful.
To become more loving, act with love.
To become smarter, act smart.
To become more intelligent, act intelligent.
To become more organized, act organized.
To become more generous, act generously.

Fake it 'till you make it, baby!


Yesterday, I Couldn't Spell It, Today I Are One!

Spread Some Joy Today--Be a faker today. Fake feeling good and see if anyone notices your deception. Instead of wondering what you're up to, they will probably want some of that feeling good stuff too.