Don't curb your enthusiasm

Let people know if you're excited about something

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeartRadio. Good Morning,
This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast. Today's
tip is to let people know what you are excited about.
People generally want to have other people in their lives

(00:23):
be enthusiastic about what they are doing, so there is
no need to curb your enthusiasm. I know that if
there is something you want, it can feel hard to
put yourself out there. When we are upfront about these things,
the disappointment of not getting something might sting even more

(00:45):
than if you had kept these hopes to yourself. But
I still think that in life there is wisdom in
being direct about what you want, whether that's a job
you're applying for, a project or committee you want to
be staffed, on the spot you want for your blanket
at an outdoor concert, the destination you want to go

(01:06):
to for a girl's trip, or even the restaurant you
want to try for lunch. People cannot read your mind.
You might not get something not because others didn't want
you to have it, but because they never even thought
about it. So when there is something you want, let
other people know you are excited about it. Given that

(01:29):
for many things other people are less excited or really
just haven't thought it through. The odds increase that you
will get what you want. So, for instance, if you
are interviewing for a job, tell the person that you
are excited about it. Tell them why Tell anyone you
know who works at the organization that you are hopeful

(01:50):
about this job too. They might put in a good
word for you, which will increase your chances as well.
For the committee you want to be staffed on, just
assume everyone knows it's in your wheelhouse. People forget things,
so tell them. Let your boss or volunteer leader or
whoever is forming the committee know why you care and

(02:13):
what skills and experiences you bring to the table. That
doesn't guarantee anything, but it does increase the chances that
you will be considered in social contexts too. Tell your
friends what sounds good to you. Don't just stand around
passively while others make plans that they may not care

(02:34):
about either. See a spot where you'd like to sit
for an outdoor concert, Say so, oh, look, I love
that spot with a clear view of the stage and
near the food trucks. Have a destination in mind for
a trip with your college friends, what about going to
Cape May. We can relax by the beach and rent
a house where we can cook good food and have
it feel like a slumber party every night. When you

(02:57):
let people know what you are excited about, you won't
necessarily get what you want. I think it goes without
saying that if the group leans hard in another direction,
you might decide to just go along to get along.
But in general, people want to make others happy when
they can. If you are planning something fun and other

(03:19):
people don't seem to have particular interests or preferences, nothing
is gained by suppressing your enthusiasm for a particular option.
Being direct about your enthusiasm for what you want does
lead to some vulnerability, for sure, but oh well, at
least you'll know you made yourself clear, and if it

(03:40):
can't happen this time, often you will be first in
line for the next opportunity. In the meantime, this is Laura.
Thanks for listening, and here's to making the most of
our time. Thanks for listening to Before Breakfast. If you've

(04:05):
got questions, ideas, or feedback, you can reach me at
Laura at Laura vandercam dot com. Before Breakfast is a
production of iHeartMedia. For more podcasts from iHeartMedia, please visit
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to

(04:27):
your favorite shows.