Enthusiasm is a term that is used regularly. But what is it exactly? Being enthusiastic about your work, means that you find it interesting. You do your work with eager enjoyment and it gives you satisfaction. This gives you the feeling of losing track of time and of being engrossed in your work. You enjoy going to work, and you come back home invigorated. Enthusiasm brings joy and happiness to your life.
Why enthusiasm is important
Your enthusiasm is of value to both you and your employer. Enthusiastic employees can get more work done and are less effected by stress. They are an inspiring example for colleagues. Enthusiastic people come up with new ideas and know how to inspire enthusiasm in others. Enthusiasm invigorates the organization and, in turn, that results in a more attractive working environment. Enthusiastic people tend to think in terms of solutions rather than in terms of problems.
How to increase your own enthusiasm?
There are ways for you to increase your enthusiasm. These ways are worth practicing, when you consider how much time you spend at work. Time flies once you are enthusiastic. This is what you can do:
- It starts by taking responsibility for your own happiness at work. There is not much you can change in other people or in circumstances; but you can change how you handle them. So take control. With a positive attitude, your day becomes a lot more fun and also a lot more productive.
- Create a pleasant working environment for yourself. Give your workplace your own personal touch and connect with colleagues who appeal to you and who invigorate you.
- Bring focus to your work. Rank your tasks in order of importance and do the most important one first. Finish tasks and don’t get distracted. Rather than postpone difficult tasks, tackle them immediately. Few things are as fulfilling as a finished to-do list at the end of the day.
- Be unambiguous and clear in your communication. Having everyone know what you are like, works a lot better, especially in the long run.
- Regularly take a break and do something completely different, even if it’s only for five minutes. Preferably go outside for a while, and give your smartphone a break as well.
- Consciously end the working day, take a look at the work you have done, prepare the next day and preferably do not take work home.
- Dare to put things into perspective. All you can do is your best. So do your best and be content with that. In case you find your daily work too little fulfilling, as an additional source of satisfaction you may engage in, for example, volunteer work.
- Act independently of the expectations of others. You work doesn’t define you as a person. So if people around you expect you to have a certain career, that’s their problem. It’s about you finding fulfillment in what you do. Enthusiasm comes from within.