I had just graduated from college and was about to move away to attend
graduate school. An older friend said something to me I thought was
odd at the time. She cautioned, "Don't ever lose your enthusiasm." I
was not particularly aware that I had much enthusiasm, nor was I sure
how to keep from losing it.

But since that time, I have come to realize what she meant. Over the
years, I have been assailed by discouragement and difficulties. At
times I have felt totally without energy and even disenchanted with
life around me.

I like what Mark Twain said about enthusiasm. When asked the reason
for his success, he replied, "I was born excited." I think I now know
why my friend said, "Never lose your enthusiasm." For even if one is
born excited, enthusiasm can be lost along the way. And too many of us
never find it again.

However, the happiest, most fulfilled and most successful people have
discovered the necessity of an enthusiastic approach to living. Thomas
Edison was such a person. He was known for his energy and verve. He
eventually acquired 1,093 patents for his inventions, including the
electric light bulb, phonograph and motion picture camera. He was
known to work tirelessly and joyfully. He seemed to love what he did
and pursued it with passion.

Edison eventually established Menlo Park, the first factory ever
dedicated to making nothing but inventions. It was a forerunner of the
private research laboratories now owned by many large corporations.
Edison promised that Menlo Park would turn out a minor invention every
ten days and something big every six months or so. At one point, he
was working on 47 new projects at once! Others have made more money
than Thomas Edison, but none have been more enthusiastic or
productive.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful
engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with your might. Put
your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be
active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will
accomplish your object." Enthusiasm is an engine fueled by a love for
what we do. It will power us anywhere we want to go and take us places
we would never reach without it!

Author's Bio: 

Steve Goodier is a professional speaker, consultant and author of numerous books.
Visit his site for more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of
Life, Love and Laughter - Your Life Support System - at
http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/ .