Dear Grandchildren:

Fill your life with passion and enthusiasm

The word enthusiasm comes from the Greek word entheos which means: “To be filled with God.” When you are filled with the spirit, you are naturally inspired and passionate.

I believe everyone is passionate about something. The real benefit is when it’s a passion for something that can really enhance your life. For example, having a passion for golf is wonderful but the return is only fun and enjoyment of playing golf (unless you’re a golf pro).

I’m suggesting we go beyond our hobbies and sports. I’m talking about being passionate about your life and your relationships and being enthusiastic about your work. To have enthusiasm in your work, you have to make a decision about the work you decide to give your life to.

Is it something you love doing? When you get up in the morning, are you eager and energetic to accomplish your work? If you love your work, you’re already a success.

Back when I was in college, my father in-law, Glen Catt, approached me about joining him in the grocery business. Right there, I had a decision to make. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I could have been making a decision about what I would be doing for the rest of my life. Of course, that’s exactly what happened.

After a few years of learning the grocery business, I fell in love with the fast pace of selling groceries and serving the many customers who usually came in every week. I loved the routine of ordering and then stocking the shelves almost everyday. For me, it was easy to get up in the morning and head to work.

Here is a sad fact: many people are stuck in their job that they don’t really love or enjoy, and they’re trying to hang in there. But they’re excited or passionate about a hobby or sport they love to do. There is nothing wrong with being excited over a hobby or sport, but your work can give you an incredible return on your investment if you’re excited and passionate about it. And really, your work defines you as a person more than your hobbies do. For example, in your forty-hours-a-week job, you’re working with others. Those people witness your attitude and your work ethic daily, so they form an opinion on whether you’re a below average worker, an average worker, or an above average worker. 

So today, ask yourself this question: 

Am I eager and excited as I head to work each day? 

Now ask yourself this second question: 

Am I doing what I love to do?

The most successful people I know and read about love what they do so much that they would actually do it for free. But, they’re successful because they’ve found a way to make a living doing what they love to do.

If you’re not skilled enough to do the work you would love to do, make time to educate yourself so you are. Do whatever it takes to prepare yourself to do what you would love.

When you express your passion and enthusiasm, you will become a magnet to others who will be attracted to your high level of energy. They will want to play with you, work with you, and support your dreams and goals. As a result, you will get more done in a shorter period of time.

One final thought: Passion and enthusiasm work in your relationships too. My lovely wife Sandy doesn’t wants me to love her because it’s my responsibility to love her. No! No! No! She wants me to have a burning passion and desire for her. And that burning desire has so far given us fifty-one years of marriage together.

So there you have it.

Until next month,

Love, Grandpa