Spurts of Enthusiasm and Lack of Interest
By Remez Sasson
Enthusiasm is the electricity of life. How do you get it? You act enthusiastic until you make it a habit.
- Gordon Parks -
Do you sometimes feel enthusiastic, motivated and energetic when starting something new, but after some time lose your enthusiasm and interest? This can happen when practicing a self-improvement program, studying a new subject, dieting, exercising or doing anything else. Though you understand the importance of what you are doing, know that it will help you, still, you let laziness set in, as well as lack of motivation, lack of enthusiasm and lack of enough willpower. This makes you feel that what you are doing is a kind of burden.
Often people start practicing concentration exercises, meditation, self-discipline exercises or any other program relating to self improvement or spiritual growth, but not seeing immediate and spectacular results, stop and give up. Everything in life requires some work, effort and time, and self-improvement or spiritual growth methods are no different.
The question is what to do when interest and enthusiasm wanes? How to persevere when there isn't enough willpower and self-discipline? The program or goal might seems worthwhile, but there isn't enough inner strength to pursue them. Self-defeating habits, negative programming, and lack of inner strength stand on one's way.
This is why people buy and read books, attend classes, courses and workshop, and yet find they are not making enough progress. This is why enthusiasm and hopes are replaced by depression, self-pity and lack of self-esteem.
Often, after reading a book or an article, after listening to a lecture or watching a movie, there is a burst of enthusiasm and a high energy level, but this often does not last long.
So what can you do to keep enthusiastic and motivated? Short spurts of enthusiasm or motivation are not enough to accomplish anything of value. You need to keep your desire and inner flame alive and focused on your goal. So what can you do about it?
# Devote 10 minutes a day to reading and thinking about the benefits of what you want to do or accomplish.
# Read every day about people who achieved success by being tenacious and persistent.
# Every day, find a quiet place, and for several minutes visualize yourself acting with enthusiasm and motivation.
# Every success requires dedication, time, perseverance and tenacity. This means that you should not give up quickly. There is a well known story about a gold prospector, who, after digging to some depth did not find anything, gave up and went away. Then someone else came, and after digging just a few inches more, struck gold. You need to be patient and persistent, even if you see no progress, because success might be just a few inches away.
# Keep repeating affirmations that empower you and inflame your enthusiasm and motivation. Appropriate affirmations can be found at this website, as well as at other websites.
# Never condider what you are doing as drudgery. With some thinking and some changes you can turn it into a pleasurable activity.
# Once you decide about anything, go on with it, even after you lose enthusiasm and desire. Don't give up, even if what you are doing seems to be like a burden and drudgery. Don't give up, even if you feel bored. Just keep telling yourself about the benefits of what you are doing, and keep thinking and visualizing how it will be like after accomplishing what you have set to do.
Remember, this is your own life, and you are responsible for it. Why succumb to laziness and negative programming? This might not be easy, and there might be obstacles on the way. Yet, keep thinking about how happy you would be after achieving success, and how your life would change, if you disregard laziness, negative thoughts, negative programming and the fear of hard and sustained work. You need to keep your mind on the goal, no matter what.
Don't rely on spurts of enthusiasm to carry you to your destination. You need to stand up, not give up, and awaken the dormant powers that are within you. Never give up, but keep going on, even if the going is tough and you feel the desire to quit. If you keep going, and use affirmations and visualizations, soon your desire and enthusiasm will grow and the progress will become easier.
Source: http://www.successconsciousness.com/spurts-enthusiasm.htm