The Law of Success - Enthusiasm by Nepoleon Hill

The Law of Success - Enthusiasm by Napoleon Hill

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm."

And frequent repetition has not blemished the truth of the old statement that "nothing is so catching as enthusiasm." Enthusiasm is the "radio wave" by which you transmit your personality to other persons. It is more powerful than logic, reason or rhetoric in getting your ideas across and in winning others to your viewpoint.

A highly successful sales manager says enthusiasm is the single most important trait of a good sales man -- provided it is sincere and forthright. "When you shake hands, put something extra into it that will make the other fellow feel you are genuinely happy to see him," he says.

A word of caution is necessary. Nothing is quite so phony as false enthusiasm -- the excessively energetic, overwhelming display that bears its own stamp of falsity. An example of how your own enthusiasm can carry you to the heights of great success is afforded in the career of Jennings Randolph. After graduating from Salem College in West Virginia, Randolph went into politics and waged such a forceful campaign that he was elected, over an older and more experienced opponent, in a landslide. Because of his success in influencing fellow representatives, President Franklin D. Roosevelt chose him to steer special wartime legislation through the House.

In a private popularity survey conducted by a group of Washington professional men, Roosevelt and Randolph were voted unanimously as the most charming personalities in government service at the time - but Randolph took the lead over the president in connection with his capacity to influence others with his boundless enthusiasm. After 14 years in Congress, Randolph accepted one of the many offers he received from private industry.

He became assistant to the president of Capital Airlines, while the company was operating in the red, and within two years had helped, with his matchless energy, to lift it into first position as to earnings in the airline transportation field.

Speaking of Randolph's pleasing personality, the president of Capital Airlines recently said: "He more than earns his salary, not alone by the actual work he performs - but more especially for the enthusiasm he inspires among other members of the firm.

No one is "born enthusiastic." It is a trait that is acquired. You can acquire it, too. Remember that in almost every contact with others you are trying, in a sense, to sell them something. That's true in all except trivial relationships. First convince yourself of the value of your idea, your product, your service - or yourself. Examine it -- or yourself -- critically. Learn the flaws in whatever you are trying to sell -- and eliminate or correct them. Be thoroughly convinced of the "rightness" of your product or idea.

Armed with this conviction, cultivate the habit of thinking positively, forcefully, energetically and you will find enthusiasm developing of itself -- with the authoritative right of true sincerity to help you project it to others.

Source: Success Unlimited. Vol. VII, No. 7. July, 1960. Pgs. 36-37.