"Enthusiasm is the driving force behind success, it is the fuel that powers the engine," described the famous American self-help author Napoleon Hill, illustrating the connection between success and enthusiasm. However, this fuel can run out quickly, and the flame of enthusiasm can fade over time, leading to a halt in motivation for any project, whether in a professional path or personal life. Why do we exhaust this precious fuel and lose our goals so easily without a fight?
Neurologist Dr. Jabiga Tuliket explains that multiple brain regions are involved in the motivation and increase of enthusiasm, particularly the reward center in the brain, which releases a chemical called dopamine during enjoyable activities. Interestingly, research shows that to release more dopamine, we need unexpected rewards. Dr. Jabiga adds, "It's good to find a balance between routine and variety; if everything is predictable, of course, less dopamine will be released." The golden rule states that we should take a 15-minute break every one and a half hours of continuous work; it is crucial to avoid brain fatigue, depleting neurotransmitters related to focus, willpower, and task completion.
Psychologically, mental health specialist Robert Tibi believes that maintaining enthusiasm is not related to willpower, but rather our ability to overcome core obstacles that can arise at the initial, middle, and final stages of any goal we want to achieve. Tibi finds that problems that diminish our enthusiasm at the beginning often stem from goals that were not derived from personal desire but inspired by others' suggestions or the need to please others or fear of their reactions. Moreover, vague goals quickly diminish, especially in the middle stage of achieving goals; lack of clarity in steps leads to gradually waning enthusiasm due to routine and stagnation, which cause adrenaline, the key factor in staying active, to fade.
In the final stage, as we approach the end, enthusiasm often disappears due to the inner critical voice that seeks perfection and perceives accomplishments as not good enough, or from panic regarding others' reactions and their strict evaluations of achievements. In some cases, simply feeling exhausted can spoil the situation; the flag of withdrawal and surrender may be raised at the finish line.
What are the steps that help to increase enthusiasm? Professor of Psychology Hendry Wisinger at the University of Kansas considers that enthusiasm transmits excitement and positivity to those around us, and it is not surprising that enthusiasm can be contagious when we surround ourselves with positive, optimistic people. Nonetheless, we need to activate some essential steps, including:
1. Activate Yourself
Moving our bodies increases our excitement, thanks to the release of endorphins that enhance creativity and positive feelings. A mere ten-minute walk can be sufficient to boost motivation and joy.
2. Stimulate Your Enthusiasm with Music
Sound conveys emotions, so music can be a natural mood enhancer during lunch or short breaks. Listening to inspiring music provides a high dose of enthusiasm.
3. Focus on Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses
In his book "Now, Discover Your Strengths," Marcus Buckingham discusses the need for people to stop wasting valuable energy fixing their weaknesses and to ignore many skills and abilities that can help them generate enthusiasm and motivation to achieve significant goals.
4. Use Your Imagination
Allowing our imagination to wander haphazardly exposes our lives to chaos; thus, directing our imagination toward what we want to focus on is crucial. This can be done by producing mental movies of success and greatness, in which people play heroic roles, allowing the subconscious mind to understand what people want and work hard to realize those scenarios.
