A lot of us try super hard to fit into a mold that society has deemed correct. Boo. We’re not going to enjoy the things our friends enjoy, we’re not going to get fulfillment out of the things that fulfill others. So don’t waste your time! It’s only when you’re naturally you that you can find what drives you and grab a firm hold. Then you can work on being enthusiastic.
It’s natural to get stuck in a rut. These things happen. They also end at some point. But then there’s clinical depression and that’s a whole other can of worms. If it’s something you’ve never thought about, think about it now. Is it a lack of enthusiasm or is it a bigger issue? What’s your gut tell you?
Think about it. How easy is it to be excited about something that’s doable and that you know you’re capable of achieving? It’s a lot harder to get enthusiastic about things that we straight up don’t think will ever materialize. And what’s often the difference? Our way of thinking. Sometimes, that’s literally the only obstacle. [5] X Expert Source Sandra PossingLife Coach Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.
Knowing exactly what you want to do and exactly how you want to go about it is giving you something to be enthusiastic about. If you want to get skinny, it’s hard to be enthusiastic about wanting to get skinny. But if you’re working out 30 minutes a week and eating tons of veggies, that’s direct behavior to get excited about.
Having a goal of becoming the King or Queen of England would be pretty damn hard to get excited about. Make sure your goals are feasible – if in doubt, just start on a slightly smaller scale. Want to start your own business but don’t know thing one about it? Make goals of taking business courses and networking. Smaller things that are totally doable and totally useful.
Realize that your desire to be enthusiastic is there – it’s just buried under a pile of worry and fear. When we grow up, often adults call that “reason. " It’s very much so a learned thing. We had it when we were children; it’s time to get it back!
It does not matter what it is. Whether it’s building model airplanes, cooking, karate, or German karaoke, do it. Make time for it. Rearrange your schedule. Sacrifice other obligations. Make it a part of your routine. If it gives you drive and ignites a fire within you, latch onto it and latch onto it good. The enthusiasm will flow from there.
The first step is to end your toxic friendships. If you get about 5 seconds to think about it, you’ll probably have a good idea of who this means. [13] X Research source Once the negativity is expunged, think up of three people that truly make you feel downright good. When you have free time, they should be the people you go to. They can be enthusiasm role models to boot!
Here’s another example: have you ever been laying in bed all day, wondering why you’re so exhausted? And then you realize it’s because you haven’t done a damn thing all day. Getting up and exercising would make you that much more energized. So start exercising![15] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source That endorphin rush will be step one to feeling the inspiration flow through your views. [16] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Get a good night’s sleep! It’s so hard to be enthusiastic when we’re tired. In fact, we’re pretty much the opposite of enthusiastic when we’re exhausted. If you haven’t been sleeping lately, that could be a cause of your lack of energy. So rest up!
Don’t give up after 5 minutes. Sometimes it’s hard to think of things we’re grateful for because we have them. We have them 24/7, so their awesomeness goes away. Your legs. Remember those? Those are awesome. Aren’t you glad you have them?
Yeah, it’s gonna suck for a bit. It’s gonna feel like you’re being a phony. Smiling and laughing and saying things like, “Oooh, yeah!” are going to feel foreign. If nothing else, start saying them sardonically. Be chipper to poke fun at the anti-chipperness of your personality. Find an excuse to fake it until you’re not faking it any longer.
Imagine your friend Ted walks into the room. You two make eye contact, give each other a nod, and you say, “Sup. " Not even in question form. Just “sup. " He responds with, “Yo. " Greeting exchanged. Now imagine Ted walks into the room and you say, “HEY, TED! OHMIGOSH I’M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!” and then you run around to room, arms flailing like the T-Rex you’ve always wanted to be. Who’s enthusiastic now, huh?
You could do a happy dance. You could make a finger gun and pretend you’re the Fonz. You could point your thumbs at yourself and talk about how awesome you are. Why don’t you try them all out and see what reactions you get?
The next time your roommate walks in and says, “Hey, roomie. I just made cupcakes!” you’re not going to respond with, “Oh, awesome, thanks. I love cupcakes. " No, no, no. You’re going to punch the air John Bender Breakfast Club style, get on both knees and exclaim, “My cupcake queen, how can I repay thee?” and then run to the kitchen and shove a cupcake in your face. You’re truly taking one for the team. Go you.
You know exactly how to do this. You’ve seen people before and what facial expressions go with what emotion. The only thing you have to change is to make it bigger, making sure it registers with people. You gotta make sure your enthusiasm is heard and seen.
Think of what a teenage girl does when she sees Robert Pattinson or Justin Bieber. She screams and gets all flitty. Don’t do that. But do make a note. When enthusiasm needs to be displayed, channel your inner Team Edward (but feel free to keep it at a dull roar). If nothing else, do it satirically. Only you need to know that you’re poking fun at those around you. Why do they demand enthusiasm anyway?
It’s easy to write off a topic/thing/person as uninteresting, judging a book by its cover, if you will. Resist! If you’re tempted, make it a point to pry a bit further. You may find that lifting the veil sparks your curiosity. And that curiosity may lead you to finding something worth being enthusiastic about![18] X Expert Source Sandra PossingLife Coach Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.
Simple things like the beauty of a sunset can bring enthusiasm back. The architecture of your favorite local building. Heck, a group of children building snowmen. When you stop and smell the roses, you just might stop and find what’ll keep you going – what can be downright inspiring.
Even the smallest of change-ups can do wonders. Have you been running 3 miles (4. 8 km) a day for the past six months? Find a new trail! Start cooking at home. Pick up a hobby. Go thrift shopping. Explore the tourist attractions in your area. It doesn’t have to be big; it just has to be different.
It doesn’t have to be book learning. You can learn from those around you, you can learn from yourself, heck, you can learn from wikiHow. Just keep seeking knowledge – the more you know, the more interesting things become. Life included!
