At work, we are trying to create a new speciality, and due to my past experience, I'd be an ideal person to get heavily involved with it. Of course, because it isn't what I was originally employed to do, I was given some time to think about whether I want to do it or not.
Now this would be a great oppurtunity for me. It matches my technical skills and interests, whilst giving me a chance to develop my business, managerial and interpersonal skills.
So, after thinking about it for a few days, I told them I wanted to do it - which they seem pleased with - but I've been told that they'd be happier if I was "more enthusiastic" about it. I even got a demonstration off my boss about what enthusiasm looks like!
Anyway, it got me thinking about the things in my life I have been enthusiastic about it, and the things that I haven't, and by and large there is little correlation between that, and how successful the outcome of whatever it was. For example, I was tremendously enthusiastic about doing a PhD right up until the end of the first week, and then hated it for the rest of the 4 years. Conversely I was not keen on leaving primary school and going to secondary school, but actually it was one of the best moves of my life.
But this isn't about how I feel - it's about how the other people in the firm feel....