Enthusiasm Makes The Difference

Norman Vincent Peale on How to Become Enthusiastic

Aug 28, 2009 Sandra Williams

Enthusiasm Makes The Difference is a good book for anyone feeling bored with life and lacking in enthusiasm or confidence.

Enthusiasm Makes The Difference by Norman Vincent Peale includes inspiring quotes from the bible, along with examples of people who turned their life around once they embraced enthusiasm.

It’s written in a similar slant as his best-selling book The Power of Positive Thinking. Because it works, the repetition in the books is tolerable, influential and helpful. Norman Vincent Peale truly enjoyed helping people and that comes across in his simple convincing style.

Norman Vincent Peale wrote Enthusiasm Makes The Difference (Ballantine Books; Reissue edition 1996, ISBN-10: 0449911950), so that others could overcome negativity and embrace enthusiasm again.

Developing Enthusiasm

Is it possible to develop enthusiasm if it doesn’t exist? Norman Vincent Peale explains how to develop characteristics like enthusiasm. A big part of this secret is to simply act as if the quality is already there. Eventually it becomes real thanks to the “as if principle”. So if enthusiasm doesn’t exist, act as though it does.

Enthusiastic Persuasion

Chapter 3 outlines methods on how to become an effective salesperson. Some of these simple suggestions include: love people, make people feel good, have a purpose and believe in the self.

Enthusiasm Cancels Worry and Fear

Norman Vincent Peale convincingly explains how depression and fear are removable. First a depressed person has to decide they want it removed and ask for God’s help. He doesn’t discount traditional therapy, but he also encourages spiritual treatment.

Here’s his suggested therapy for tackling worry problems:

1. Practice vigorous walking. (Exercise is a proven method for improving a depressed person’s mood.)

2. Engage in disciplined regular human service.

3. Develop an awakened concern, even love, for the unfortunate. (Once the focus transfers from the self to helping others, people tend to put things in perspective and develop a more positive attitude.)

4. Find new meaning in prayer and the actual realty of God’s presence.

Enthusiasm on Your Job

If someone is not enthusiastic about their job, they’re not likely to put their heart into it, which will show in the end result of the task. Norman Vincent Peale explains further, “Often enthusiasm is the bridge between poverty and prosperity.”

• Enthusiasm Makes the Difference expands on Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking by explaining how to: develop faith, become enthusiastic, overcome problems, face fears and build self-confidence. It’s a classic self-help book originally published in 1967 that continues to influence people decades later.

“Remember, worry and enthusiasm simply cannot occupy the same mind at the same time. They are utterly incompatible.” Norman Vincent Peale

The copyright of the article Enthusiasm Makes The Difference in Self-Help Books is owned by Sandra Williams. Permission to republish Enthusiasm Makes The Difference in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Enthusiasm