When I make spaghetti sauce, I always add a bit of chili powder. It’s not traditional, but it makes my marinara pop.
There’s something about the way that bit of spice plays with the tomatoes and garlic…
It’s the secret little ingredient that sets my marinara apart.
In your work, you have access to a similar secret ingredient, on demand, that can wildly increase your success.
It’s not a skill or a talent… at least not in the usual sense.
But when you pay attention to this one thing and work to cultivate it, you’ll find you do better work, encounter more opportunities, and have more fun.
What’s this secret chili powder of the writing world?
It’s enthusiasm… and it won’t just benefit your writing. It can benefit every aspect of your life.
But here’s the catch… false enthusiasm won’t work. It’s got to be the real deal.
Fortunately, you can do a few things to nurture your natural enthusiasm, so it comes through in a genuine way.
Focus on Your Purpose
Whatever you’re doing, you usually have a reason for doing it. Some change you’re trying to bring about… some benefit you’re hoping to enjoy… some good you want to put into the world.
When you take on a new project, throw your hat in the ring for a gig, or even sit down to a task, pause for a moment and think about what success will mean for you, for your client, for their customers, for the world.
Really allow yourself to get excited about how you’re going to help people. And then bring that excitement — that enthusiasm — to your next conversation, to your next milestone, and to your next work block.
Practice Gratitude
Another way to grow your baseline levels of enthusiasm is to spend time each day feeling grateful. You can do this as a meditation or keep a gratitude journal. You can send thank you notes to people who have recently made a difference in your life, or you can think of three things that happened during the day that made you feel glad.
However you do it, regularly and intentionally feeling gratitude will make you a more enthusiastic person over time.
Go After What Lights You Up
It’s easy to maintain your enthusiasm for the things you have an easy time getting excited about.
Think about what you talk about and think about even when you’re not working on a project… is it food, movies, parenting, wine, pets, sports? Whatever the things are that you love to explore, go after clients in those industries and you’ll be more inclined to be enthusiastic without even trying.
Remember, enthusiasm is contagious. People will remember how you made them feel (excited) about the project… and your writing will be better, too, because that authentic positive energy will come through and make it easier to connect with your reader.
Give these three things a try for the next month, and see if you don’t find yourself more excited about your work — and about everything — because of your efforts.
In Case You Missed It…
More and more marketers and brands are turning to nano influencers to promote their products and build buzz about upcoming events and launches. In our newest Trends & Technology column, Jen Phillips April digs into the nano-influencer trend and what it can mean to you as a writer. Give it a read right here.
If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for your next book. And in her latest Reality Blog, Jennifer Ayling shares three to add to your list. You’ll find a book to help you organize your business, one to help you clarify your values and even who you are, and a third to help you earn more referrals. Check it out!
Do you want to be a hero to your clients? If you can get them the tip-top spot of the search results on Google, you’ll earn that hero label for sure. In our recent Web Content & SEO column, Jonna Jerome shows you how to optimize content to earn a featured snippet — position zero on Google. See how you can do this for your clients… and start taking measurements for your superhero cape.
Mark Your Calendar
October 4: This next week, tune in for a live webinar on new and growing writing opportunities. I’ll be taking a closer look at some of the current trends in digital marketing and exploring how those can be shaped into new ways for you to grow your writing business. Join us here.
3 Things I Thought You Might Enjoy…
This interview with Ramit Sethi is well worth the read. If you’re thinking about launching a blog or creating a product for your existing audience, I guarantee you’ll come away with more than a few helpful ideas.
If you’re looking for more meaning and greater satisfaction in your life, Mark Manson shares five counterintuitive truths (well, mostly) that may give you just the insights you need. But be warned, Mark doesn’t shy away from profanity.
Do you ever struggle to stay on top of your email? If you’re nodding (or grimacing), then these 11 tools recommended by HubSpot could be just what you need.
That’s all for now. Have a great weekend!
