Enthusiastic about Enthusiasm

One of my all-time favorite movies is The Untouchables, directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Mamet.

It’s filled with many iconic scenes and dialogue like, “They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That’s the Chicago way!”

One scene that comes to mind portrays the bad guy, Al Capone (played by Robert De Niro), dressed formally in a tuxedo and surrounded by his “associates” at dinner. His epic monologue includes the line, “A man becomes preeminent; he’s expected to have enthusiasms. Enthusiasms, enthusiasms… What are mine? What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball!”

Enthusiasms. I love that word. Oh, by the way, Capone then beats one of the men to death with a baseball bat. But I’m not here for that. I’m here for enthusiasm.

For whatever reason, whenever I’m done speaking with a stranger on a podcast, at a meeting, or at a coffee shop, most of the time, people say, “I love your enthusiasm!”

Apparently, Mr. Self-Awareness here has never thought about it until now.

My enthusiasm for speaking to people is my thing, I guess. I’m not sure why, but I’m pretty sure a therapist might be able to pinpoint it?—?but who has the time?

I’ve honestly never thought about it until I started writing this. I can’t control my joy when talking to people, learning about them, and sharing my stories. It’s borderline obnoxious. I’ve never used drugs, though I enjoy an adult beverage from time to time, but nothing gets me as high as that 30-second to 30-minute interaction.

So if that’s what makes me happy, that’s what I’m going to do with podcasts, YouTube shows, TikToks, and life in general. When you find that little thing that makes you different or special, exploit it for all its worth.

For me, I’m enthusiastic about my enthusiasm for human interaction. We should all ask what Capone asked: “What draws my admiration?”

You really might need to ask yourself—preferably out loud, unless you’re in public—because, like me, you probably have no idea what little trait or skill makes you enthusiastic. Once you identify that source of enthusiasm, consciously cultivate it through practices like keeping a journal. Actively noting the things you appreciate can boost your overall enthusiasm for life.

For whatever reason, enthusiasm breeds more enthusiasm, creating a positivity loop. If you make a habit of doing anything you do with authentic enthusiasm, you’re more than likely to receive even more enthusiastic energy in return.

Don’t be afraid to let your enthusiasm shine through, whatever makes you light up inside. Chances are, the people around you will get a kick out of it. Enthusiasm is a renewable resource. The more you spend it by fully engaging with the people around you, the more you’ll have to spend.

Identify the kernel of enthusiasm within you—that thing—embrace it, and watch as it flows into a contagious sense of joy and charisma that brightens every room you enter.

Be shamelessly and unapologetically enthusiastic about everything you do. The world needs more of that energy. So go ahead and be the source of it.

I was super enthusiastic to chat with Mary Helen Bowers the ballerina turned entrepreneur on the season finale of Good Listen.

We discuss her journey from being a young girl in North Carolina dreaming of becoming a ballerina, to making that dream a reality by training at the prestigious School of American Ballet as a teenager. ?Mary Helen provides a fascinating inside look at the intense world of elite ballet.

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