“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your mind. Put your whole soul to it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson – 1803-1882, Essayist, Philosopher and Poet

I included two quotes in this post because they are two of my favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson.  The first quote, included in the graphic, transcends time, space and reality.  It remains true even today.  Our greatest accomplishment is remaining true to ourselves.  This is no easy feat in a world that is constantly trying to make us into something else.  What  is this world attempting to make us into?  A particular profession, perhaps? A parent when we have no desire to have children? Religious? There are plenty of labels that we carry that may not suit us.  But as Emerson says, being true to yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else can be your greatest accomplishment.

The second quote is about pure, unadulterated enthusiasm.  Emerson declares it the most powerful of all mechanisms for success.  Put your whole heart and soul into whatever it is that you are doing.  Use your personality to make it your own.  By making it your own, you will become even more enthusiastic!  It will cause you to become more active and energetic which will in turn cause you to accomplish your goal and achieve success.  After all, Emerson declares, “[n]othing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”.