Imagine being firmly committed to your deepest ambitions. Imagine feeling energetic and enthusiastic about your relationships, career, and all the things you want. Envision a future as bright and promising as any you have ever imagined.

Is this your typical day-to-day outlook? Do you adjust easily to unexpected obstacles and handle stressful situations resiliently? Do you thrive on challenges, or do you tend to withdraw from them?

Henry Ford said, "You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes rise to the stars. Enthusiasm is the spark in your eye, the swing in your gait, the grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of your will and your energy to execute your ideas."

Enthusiastic people are inspired by great ideas. However, they live and thrive on action.

Does that mean they are immune to fear and self-doubt? Are they spared from feelings of uneasiness that so often accompany moving into new territories? No, they are not.

They dissolve fear by doing what they fear. They meet and resolve conflicts. They see today's adversities as universities filled with valuable lessons. They create new maps that lead them forward.

Determined people are risk takers. However, they take sensible precautions and make informed decisions. Their invitation to wisdom and creativity becomes more compelling than self-limiting doubt.

Determined people are committed to the purpose for which they live. Commitment turns a promise into reality with words that speak boldly of your intentions and actions that speak louder than words.

Mario Andretti said it well: "Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal — a commitment to excellence — that will enable you to attain the success you seek."

Here are five questions to consider that will help to advance your enthusiasm and determination: What dreams and aspirations are you committed to achieving during your lifetime?

In which areas of your life are you committed to becoming exceptional?

What are the biggest obstacles that are holding you back from what you want?

What could you do to turn your obstacles into advantages?

What would be the most compelling way to fire up your enthusiasm and determination to achieve your objectives? Take time to contemplate each of these questions. Write down your answers and reflect upon what they mean for your future. Then take action on the insights you receive. Begin to move toward your dreams with a committed, enthusiastic determination.

You will also view obstacles from a broader perspective. Obstacles may appear at first to be overwhelming. However, they can become surmountable challenges because of an enthusiastic determination. They become valuable lessons that encourage growth and lasting achievements.

With stronger enthusiasm and determination, you will find a positive energy pulling you toward what you want to achieve. Then act on your ideas with confidence. As Henry David Thoreau said, "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

Advance toward your dreams today with a heightened determination and enthusiasm. The commitments you make and the actions you take with enthusiastic determination will bring you the success you are now envisioning.

© Copyright by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com