Enthusiasm is a cultivated emotion, it seems to me. It also seems that many people haven’t experienced that emotion for a long time and have no idea how magnetic enthusiasm can be. When you’re passionate about something and not afraid to show it, opportunities have a way of appearing when you least expect them.

I was reminded of this simple truth one day as I was checking out some books on London at my library. The librarian asked me if I was planning a trip. “Oh,” I laughed, “I’m always planning one or coming back from one.” She smiled and said her daughter had spent a year studying in London. During that time, my librarian friend visited and loved the city. That was all the invitation I needed to start a rollicking conversation. I quizzed her on what her favorite sights had been.

Before I knew it, two other librarians had moved closer and were eavesdropping on our conversation. I began telling them that one of my favorite spots was the manuscript room in the British Library. As I was going on about the treasures there, one of them piped up and said, “Do you lead tours? I want to go with you.” I could have signed her up on the spot had I been planning such an excursion.

If your enthusiasm level has dwindled, take responsibility for filling it up again. Stay away from dreary people. Read things that inspire you. Find something every day to get excited about and share it with someone—even a stranger. You never know what opportunity might be looking for you and just needs your enthusiasm to issue the invitation so it can land on your doorstep.

Enthusiasm is the most important single factor in making a person creative. ~ Robert E. Mueller

Here’s a interesting article on the 11 Traits of Highly Creative People.

And here’s another on how to Travel for a Year on $14,000.