Given the choice, over time which would you rather hang out with Eeyore (the downcast donkey from Winnie the Pooh) or Tigger (the bouncy, bouncy, up beat Tiger with a spring in his tail)? I know which I’d choose!
I’ve been looking at enthusiasm this week and how we can benefit from it. Do we control our enthusiasm or does it control us? Can we truly choose to be enthusiastic or are there external influences that have an impact on how we feel, react, appear?
Well I for one am of the opinion that the choice is ours. Yes, there will be external influences which have an impact and sometimes these can dampen our spirits and have an effect on the way we operate but in the main we control how we change from a negative state to a positive one.
Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm and most people want to be around uplifting and positive people with a “can do” attitude that will deliver results.
Enthusiasm creates the energy necessary for success. It’s attractive, infectious and can be used to generate momentum.
Enthusiasm in the driving force for everything. Enthusiasm for learning will help you take that step out of your comfort zone. It’s what will set you apart from the crowd in choosing your way in life. It shows self-confidence and makes your goals a reality first in your mind, then to the world. I could go on & on being enthusiastic about enthusiasm but I think you get the point – hopefully!
So are you an Eeyore or a Tigger?
How has enthusiasm helped you be successful?
8 Responses to “Eeyore or Tigger – the choice is yours….isn’t it?”
Eeyore or Tigger? Not so sure I want to be either as I expect being a ‘Tigger’ can be very tiring and Eeyore is quaintly appealing. In relation to enthusiasm though I made a huge switch early last year when talking about whether I was ‘a cup half full or a cup half empty’ person. I came to the amazing realization that my cup was actually overflowing and this has powered me forward. I do get visits from Eeyore occasionally and Tigger takes command at other times when it’s appropriate though I’m aiming for a calm and grounded enthusiasm – not sure which of Christopher Robins friends fit that bill.
Hi Janet,
Yes to all the above! What a great analogy from Winnie the Pooh. There are so many layers of meaning in these characters and stories aren’t there?
The secret is in how to maintain enthusiasm in a constant supply, whatever is happening
Have you read The Tao of Pooh as well? (by Benjamin Hoff)
best wishes
Jenny
Hi Janet, I wholeheartedly agreed with your post. I am very much a Tigger kind of gal! Although I just love Eeyore and want to cuddle him; he makes me feel safe and warm. I believe you have to be a Tigger if you want to succeed and do well – everything needs energy if you do it well. To be able to sustain that enthusiasm to achieve you need energy and an upbeat temperament helps with this. When I am teaching I am so upbeat [some may say over the top] but I feel (as above) that enthsiasm breeds enthusiasm, just like the smile analogy.
Being smiley, positive and enthusiastic will attract those types of clients and you can then feed off each other.
Thanks for this remind.
Michelle
Hi Janet
I agree with Helen, in the sense that I can be a bit of both (does that infact make me somewhat bi-polar?). I am on the whole a very much cup-half-empty person but always with a cheeky eye on expecting the worst to happen in the hope that the best will. I think I try to tempt fate into the positive – if I act like Eeyore then maybe Tigger will pay me an unexpected visit!
SGHx
yes it is so true that we choose our state and our response to anything that happens. We always have a choice between stimulus and response, it’s why it’s called “responsibility” the ability to respond! A lot of the work i do with clients is raising their awareness of how to access a positive state! we can all do it! As you say, we would all rather be with enthusiastic, positive people, it rubs off!
I’ve been reflecting on this recently and realised that I was brought up by a glass half full dad and a glass half empty mum. Somewhere along the way I witnessed the impact of both styles and made a choice to be like my dad. And occasionally I catch my mother looking back at me in the mirror and realise that I’ve been hooked in Eeyore mode. It’s a wake up call and I consciously shift to something more useful for that circumstance. It may not be to full-on Tigger, perhaps Owl or Christopher Robin may be what’s needed.
I’m a great believer in choosing your attitude – and always try to do just that. I might not be a true Tigger but definately some where in between.
I also believe that behaviour breeds behaviour so do try to have a positive attitude if for no other reason than to motivate others.
I love your phrase “Enthusiasm creates the energy necessary for success. It’s attractive, infectious and can be used to generate momentum”.
For me the spark that comes from peoples enthusiasm is infectious and lights up a room although I suspect that even Tigger can have their off days!