Show Your Passion

Watching Brett Favre play football on Thursday, I was stuck by his passion. When a play goes right, he is thrilled. When a receiver catches a clutch pass, he is excited. When a runner weaves through the defenders to make yardage, he is jazzed.

And he shows these feelings. He jumps up, runs to congratulate the players, and embraces them. His face beaming, Favre exudes his enthusiasm. He is having so much fun playing football that he makes watching him and his team fun, too. As a viewer, his passion for the game and enthusiasm for his teammates suck me in and make me smile. Seldom does an adult exhibit the antics that Favre displays. In fact, I cannot think of having seen another adult do these antics. Usually, children employ them, and, when they do, they make me smile.

I smile, and I suspect you do, too, because we feel good when we see these antics. We love to see a display of passion. Like moths to a flame, enthusiasm pulls us in and makes us feel good. Have you noticed how good you feel after being around an enthusiastic person? Often, you have a smile on your face, don’t you? Sometimes, you are reluctant to leave that person’s presence. Being near an enthusiastic person is like taking an emotional bath in positive energy.

It just feels good.

While most of us enjoy what we do, in the crush of everyday routine we can easily forget to show our enthusiasm and passion. We may not even realize that we have drifted away from showing our enthusiasm. Think about it. When was the last time that you showed your enthusiasm? If you realize that you have not done so recently, take a lesson from Favre and follow his lead.

First of all, celebrate your successes and those of your team, no matter how small. Find them everyday.

Then, make physical demonstrations of your enthusiasm for these successes. Take a clue from Favre. Jump up, move quickly, and hug someone.

Most importantly, do this in front of employees and customers. Make it a public display. Pull them in to feel your passion and enthusiasm.

Showing your enthusiasm and your passion is one of the best marketing moves, both to employees and customers, that you will ever make. Not only will your employees and customers feel your passion, but that feeling will encourage them to work harder for you and to do more business with you. Your enthusiasm makes them feel good. Making someone feel good makes you memorable.


After all, Favre has broken lots of records, but what makes him memorable is his passion and enthusiasm for the game. Every sportscaster comments on this, and that is high praise indeed. Favre is having fun, and, by doing so, he makes it fun for his teammates and fans.

Do the same for your employees and customers.