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The Stagnant Clinic
A friend of mine is one of four doctors in a successful chiropractic clinic. He confessed to me how the daily routine had become a monotonous grind.
He and the other three doctors found themselves just going through the motions. Everything had gotten stale. Everyone, including the front desk staff, just felt flat.
He said the clinic felt like a stagnant pond: still there as it always was, but lifeless.
Then Alex arrived.
The Catalyst
Alex was a bright-eyed chiropractic intern from the local college, there to complete his coursework hours.
But Alex was more than an intern. His presence was like a pebble tossed into that stagnant pond, sending out ripples of enthusiasm and excitement that immediately infected the entire clinic.
Alex was excited about chiropractic care. He believed deeply in its ability to profoundly impact one's overall well-being and complete living system. His belief was infectious.
Alex didn't approach his tasks with a sense of obligation or routine. Instead, he tackled everything with a verve and zest that was energizing. Whether organizing insurance paperwork, observing patient sessions, or assisting with treatment plans, his eyes sparkled with genuine interest.
His deeply curious questions prompted the doctors to revisit the foundational knowledge that had initially drawn them to this field. In doing so, he restored their passion and re-opened their minds to new possibilities they hadn't considered in years.
The Transformation
The office was soon humming with the energetic buzz of renewed vigor for the work.
Even routine tasks seemed infused with a newfound sense of purpose. Morning briefings, once dry recitations of schedules and updates, became lively discussions as doctors shared insights sparked by articles or observations Alex prompted them to investigate.
The front office staff caught the same fever of rejuvenation. They found themselves reconsidering their approach to patient scheduling and follow-ups, ensuring every patient felt the proactive and personalized attention that became the clinic's renewed hallmark.
By the time Alex's internship concluded, the clinic had undergone a profound transformation.
My friend admitted it wasn't until later, looking back, that he realized what was lost when Alex was no longer there.
The Answer
What did Alex bring that created such profound transformation?
ENTHUSIASM.
His genuine excitement, curiosity, and belief in the work reinvigorated the energy of the entire culture. His excitement breathed new life into their daily work and reconnected each of them to their own passion that had gradually dimmed under the weight of routine.
The Science of Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is a powerful force. It's contagious. It's subtle but profound in its ability to infect and influence.
Here's how it works: Enthusiasm stimulates the release of dopamine and endorphins in the brain. This boosts focus, motivation, and overall cognitive function, contributing to better problem-solving abilities and decision-making. All functions that significantly enhance personal performance.
Additionally, these endorphins act like natural pain relievers, making you feel happy and less tired, which helps you keep going even when tasks get tough.
When you act enthusiastically, you not only feel happier, but you also perform better and handle challenges more easily.
The Invisible Force
The success factor of enthusiasm is hidden and overlooked. It's not usually considered when trying to determine WHY an organization is struggling or what's needed to turn it around.
Enthusiasm is less tangible and harder to measure than obvious factors like financial metrics, strategy effectiveness, or workforce size. However, its impact is profound.
Enthusiasm invigorates a culture, energizes employees, fosters creativity and innovation, and enhances commitment to mission and goals.
Here's one for your notes: A LACK of enthusiasm is something we often fail to see the COST of. And it's something we often fail to see the RETURNS on.
It's a Skill, Not a Trait
Enthusiasm is often mistaken for a natural trait, an attribute that people either possess or don't. But it's more accurately understood as a SKILL that can be developed and nurtured over time.
Like any skill, enthusiasm can be cultivated through consistent practice.
The only way to become more enthusiastic is to ACT enthusiastically. That's it.
I'm sure you're asking, "Well, what if you don't FEEL enthusiastic, Darren?"
The only way to become more enthusiastic is to ACT enthusiastically. That's it.
ACT... ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
Deliberately adopt a positive and eager attitude toward your next conversation or your next tasks. Over time, this practice will transform enthusiasm from a sporadic feeling into a habitual response.
The Method
Here is THE METHOD approach to ACTING enthusiastically:
BORROW from the excitement of the future.
Envision the bigger, brighter, more hopeful, abundant, and joyful future you will have. SEE IT. TASTE IT. FEEEEEEEEEL IT.
And take a LOAN against that future.
BORROW your happiness and excitement about your grand future and DEPLOY it today. INVEST that enthusiasm today.
Think about enthusiasm as borrowing from the FUTURE to produce the energy you need NOW. To produce the results you want TODAY.
That is why enthusiasm is a SKILL. It has to be worked on. It requires deliberate effort, and you have to put in the reps.
And the more you do, the better you get at it.
Your Challenge This Week
Having enthusiasm is easy when things are going good. When things are neutral or bad, well, that's when you really see the value of it.
Here's my challenge for you this week:
ONE: INFECT every conversation, room, restaurant, or coffee shop you enter with ENTHUSIASM.
INFECT every task, project, email response, or comment you make with ENTHUSIASM.
TWO: Share your enthusiasm for the week ahead. Share it with friends. Co-workers. Neighbors. Your spouse. What exhilarating things are you looking forward to? What are you excited about in the near future that you can borrow from to begin your week?
Because enthusiasm isn’t just how you start the week.
It’s how you change it.
What's Next?
Most leaders lose their edge not from lack of skill, but from loss of enthusiasm. That spark fuels courage. Vision. Influence. And the loss of that spark is exactly what we rebuild inside HERO’S JOURNEY. You'll learn to reignite conviction. Lead with energy that moves others. And sustain passion that drives lasting impact.
Discover how you can accept the challenge and start creating more of your own contagious energy here.
Every weekday morning, I also send strategic insights to over 350,000 business leaders through ☕DarrenDaily. Join Us and start each day with the mindset that turns obstacles into opportunities.