Enthusiastic – A Cultural Foundation

Watching the Women’s World Cup victory this month reminded me of one of our portfolio’s cultural foundations – Enthusiasm.

The definition of enthusiasm is “ardent and lively interest or eagerness.” The US Women’s Soccer team displayed enthusiasm under incredible pressure, going on to win their 4th World Cup and two back-to-back championships.

Being enthusiastic about the game, not just the goal, inspires enthusiasm, and I was reminded of the path many of us took to build what is now Share On Purpose, Inc.

Five core leaders (three who are still here) decided on these cultural values in 2013 during one of the more challenging periods in our company’s evolution. Let me repeat that – we chose enthusiasm as a cultural value during one of our low points – a period after which we had lost our largest client, were failing financially and were not sure if the company would survive.

Yet, we remained enthusiastic. In spite of failure.

What I know now is that enthusiasm isn’t just something that follows success and sustains during failure… enthusiasm is a way of life.

– Do you love what you do? If so, unleash your enthusiasm, and if you don’t love your work, be enthusiastic about making a change.

– Do you enjoy the people you work with? If so, let them know, and if not, be enthusiastic about creating something new.

It’s EASY to be enthusiastic when things are working well. Most of us allow our emotions to be driven by what is happening TO us, versus feeling enthusiasm for the way things are as we create something better.

Successful leaders understand that enthusiasm is the gas that powers each of us to the life we dream about. For winners, enthusiasm starts before the victory, and success is the result of the level of enthusiasm generated throughout the journey.

When I experience major setbacks, I certainly reassess our business model and make the necessary changes to achieve the vision. Yet, without fail, I remain enthusiastic for both the vision of what I want to create, as well as the things that didn’t work out because they provide the course corrections to what WILL work.

So, what do you want professionally? Are you doing your part and finding enthusiasm on the journey? Do you understand that your emotions fuel you past doubt and that you have 100% CONTROL over what you think and feel?

Success is imminent when energy is focused.