How long is it since you got genuinely excited about something?

I'm not talking about moderate enthusiasm or slight motivation, no; I'm talking about overwhelming, bursting-out-of-your-skin, childlike excitement? For some of us, it's years.

I love that feeling of childlike, can't-wait-to-tell-someone excitement. I've had it for the last forty eight hours (non-stop) and it's a great feeling. Isn't it a pity that so many of us get to a point where we stop getting excited about things? Apparently we're too mature, too intelligent, too responsible and too busy for excitement.

Or maybe too scared. Too cynical. Too pessimistic. Too self-conscious.

At some stage we replaced our youthful excitement and hope with logic, self control and the voice of reason (snore). Boring.

I spoke to a lady recently (who happens to be hating her life) about the possibility of changing her reality and getting passionate and excited about what her future might hold and her response to me was:

"I decided a while ago that it's much safer and far less painful to not get excited about anything; that way I'm less likely to get disappointed and hurt. My life has taught me to lower my standards, expect very little and be a realist."

"Wow! I'm so glad I don't live in your life — it sounds crap," I (thoughtfully) informed her.

Excitement Lesson One: Excitement doesn't happen to us; we create it.

When I told her that excitement was something we choose, create, and infect others with, she thought I needed professional help. Some people are excitement machines; they are excited about life, opportunities, the future, challenges and what they might create. They have made that decision (to have that mindset).

When we get excited (passionate, driven, motivated, proactive), we start to create amazing results. We start to do, think, be, and create ... different. Excitement produces results. Want results? Get excited. Simple.

Lesson Two: Successful people get excited regularly (on purpose). And when they get excited, so do others, because excitement is contagious. People want to hang out with people who get excited about possibilities, potential, and life. People who are excited (not to be confused with hyperactive, annoying, and socially inappropriate - you know who I mean) are cool to be around because they are positive, fun, and attractive (that is, their energy attracts people).

Excitement creates momentum. Excitement changes situations, circumstances and  environments. Excitement affects others, as does a crappy attitude and negativity.

This week I have been very excited. Very. Can you tell? I know when I'm really excited about something because:

1) I think about it all the time.

2) I plan, I research, I write, I visualise.