Just Start: The Best Virus (week 1)

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Dear andre,

The simple skill that changes everything. 

Have you ever met someone who’s excited about what they’re doing?

They walk with a pep in their step. When you ask them how they’re doing, they reply with something like: "Excellent, phenomenal, or amazing!” Doesn't that just irritate you? (or inspire you a little bit?)

And you walk away asking yourself: “how are they in a good mood all the time?” (hint: the people you know who bring energy are often doing it consciously) 

Well, I hope to give you the secret to feeling that way. To bring that level of energy and enthusiasm to your work and life.

Here's what I learned (From Shaan puri)

Enthusiasm is a skill.

You know why that’s amazing? It means you can practice! And just like learning to walk. Or ride a bike, it will feel unusual. And you may fall down or forget sometimes. (but with time it will become second nature)

But here’s how I learned (as I listened to this podcast by shaan puri)

I wanted to develop two specific skills. Enthusiasm and storytelling. Why these skills? Because they are multiplying skills. Anything I do with enthusiasm, makes it better.

So I focused on these two skills. And for 6 months I consciously worked on increasing my enthusiasm. At the same time I read a book called How to raise yourself from failure to success selling. Inside of that book was a quote that has changed my perspective. “If you double your enthusiasm you may very well double your income and your happiness.”

Imagine that. Simply by acting more enthusiastic, you can trick yourself into feeling more enthusiastic. It is NOT to feel first, then act. It’s action first, then the feeling follows. So try it. Act. 

There's a quote from Conner McGregor that I would think about often during those 6 months, and it went like this: At the end of the day you gotta feel some way. So why not feel unbeatable? Why not feel untouchable? Why not feel like the best to ever do it? 

If you can be in a bad mood for no reason, why not be in a good mood for no reason?

7 Semi-Controversial Rules For Success - Shaan Puri section on enthusiasm starts at 11:27

Action: Use each doorway you walk through as a trigger to remind you to double your enthusiasm. With your words, actions, and body language, act enthusiastic and you will start to feel more enthusiastic.

In my book Just Start I talk about the lubricant of the mind: go on a gratitude walk in the morning. you’ll feel SO good. 7 min walk and look for things you’re grateful for in your life.

P.S. I have a full multipart google doc with how make a great first impression. this builds on this idea of enthusiasm. please read it and use it. And DM me with any questions. This is a living document. (that I’m still building and tweaking)

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