I looked out the window, and it was raining. I didn’t want to run today. The couch was comfortable. I was tired. But I stood up, put on my shoes, and walked out the door anyway.
I’m not passionate about running. But I am enthusiastic about what running gives me.
I like how it makes me feel afterward. I know the long-term impact it has on my health, my energy, my attitude, and ultimately my life.
This is where people get confused: passion and enthusiasm are not the same thing.
We often hear advice like, “Follow your passion.” But what if your passion is collecting seashells or watching thunderstorms? Those things might bring joy, but they may not pay the bills.
Passion is something inside you — often something you discover, not something you create. It’s usually emotional, personal, and sometimes impractical.
Enthusiasm, on the other hand, is something you can choose. You can become enthusiastic about nearly anything when you:
Focus on the positive impact it will have
Look forward to the outcome it creates
Tie it to something meaningful
For example:
You may not love taking out the recycling, but you love having a clean home.
You may not enjoy documentation at work, but you appreciate how it helps others collaborate.
You may not always love going to meetings, but you can treat them as opportunities to learn how people think and communicate.
Dale Carnegie said:
“Enthusiasm is the little-recognized secret of success.”
In fact, he called it the number one ingredient to getting what you want in life.
You may or may not build a career around your passion — and that’s okay. But you can choose to be enthusiastic about what you are doing right now. That choice changes everything.
Passion is discovered. Enthusiasm is chosen. And choosing enthusiasm gives you the freedom to enjoy your life today — not just someday in the future.