Preframing Interactions With Enthusiasm

As humans and social creatures, we feed off of each other’s energy more than we even realize. Someone who comes into a situation stressed makes you feeI more anxious. Someone who’s going through something sad makes other people unconsciously change their tone. Similarly, someone who’s acting brave can inspire courage in someone else, and someone who’s enthusiastic and positive can brighten up a room.

We’re giving, receiving, and intermixing our energy all the time with others… It begs the question, are you choosing the frequency you’re giving off? Whether you are or you aren’t, here are a few ideas to explore so that you make every interaction just a little bit better.

In a podcast episode featuring Dr. Robyne Hanley-Defoe, she talked about choosing to greet people you see all the time like it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you. When you come home after a long day, what if you were overly excited to see your kids or partner? How do you think that would make them feel?

Or what if you haven’t seen someone for a long time? How can your embrace communicate everything they need to know about how you feel about them?

One thing I’ve been doing for years - and have done it so much that I now do unconsciously - is when I’m getting started with a video call, I put my arms up in a celebration pose and greet them with enthusiasm. For a new connection, they get a quick taste of my positivity and are more open to reciprocating it. For someone I’ve known for a while that I’m reconnecting with, it helps us make up for lost time and pick up right where we left off.

The reason this works is because a small choice to express excitement preframes a conversation. It’s an asymmetrical action where a small decision can generate a disproportionate, long-lasting impact. And that’s because you’re designing your own high-impact environment. What you put out comes back to you through reciprocity as you get to feed off of other people’s enthusiasm, which was inspired by yours.

As simple as it is, give it a try on your next opportunity. Pause for a moment before you walk through the next door. Prepare your mindset for 30 seconds before taking your next call. You’ll be shocked to see how easy it is to bring good energy, how well received it is by others, and how much of an impact it can make.

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