In enthusiasm we trust / Our values

Have you ever noticed that sometimes an hour flies by like five minutes, while at other times five minutes feel like an hour? The difference isn’t in the clock. The difference is engagement.

Enthusiasm is a multifaceted concept that refers to a deep, captivating interest and emotional attraction toward an activity—whether it’s a hobby, work, studying, creativity, or even a romantic interest in another person.

From a psychological perspective, engagement can be described as a positive, enjoyable state characterized by deep immersion and complete involvement in what you are doing.

Three сomponents of enthusiasm

This is a state where three factors come together at the same moment:

• Interest — you enjoy the process, you are curious about what will happen next: how it will turn out, how the idea will work, what it will look like, and where it may lead you. You want to keep moving forward. You become focused on the process, the actions, and the outcome. You gain energy from the activity itself, not only from the final result.
• Enthusiasm — this is when something captivates you so deeply that you want to understand more, experiment more, and become more skilled, knowledgeable, and confident in this field. A strong desire appears to explore the value of the product, the structure of processes, and the underlying technologies at a much deeper level. Time passes unnoticed.
• Involvement — your mind is fully engaged in the task. You enter a state of flow, where you are focused and disconnected from external distractions. There is no criticism, no irritation, no getting stuck in self-doubt or anxiety. There are no unnecessary thoughts like: “Am I doing everything right?” or “Will I succeed?” Instead, you experience a sense of meaning and the feeling that “I am where I am supposed to be.

It is not simply “I like it.” It is a state where you genuinely want to engage in something with pleasure — without being pushed, controlled, or driven by external rewards or fear of failure.

Enthusiasm comes from an inner desire to act, explore, create, and improve. A person is naturally drawn to the process itself because it feels meaningful and enjoyable.

The motivation comes from within — from curiosity, interest, and the feeling of being truly involved in what you are doing.

Why is enthusiasm important?

Passion has a positive impact on mental health, improves work efficiency and quality, and helps people cope more easily with stress, heavy workloads and other external stressors. It contributes to a better quality of life, fosters productivity and creative thinking, strengthens emotional and physical wellbeing, and reduces the risk of professional and emotional burnout.

A passion doesn’t necessarily have to be a lifelong one, nor does it have to be related to work. For some people, it might be:

• cooking and food preparation,
• scientific research,
• bringing up children,
• music,
• gardening,
• programming,
• volunteering,
• sport,
• studying history,
• car restoration,
• collecting,
• photography,
• and much more.

People often have two to four deep passions. This variety of interests makes life richer and more balanced.

What happens without passion?

Chronic fatigue (‘nothing feels quite right’). Burnout, even in a well-paid job. The feeling that life is passing you by.

When does enthusiasm get in the way?

If enthusiasm becomes excessive, it can overshadow other areas of life, prevent you from assessing situations objectively, and distract you from important tasks. That is why balance is important: it is good to be enthusiastic, but it is also beneficial to maintain self-control and a clear head.

The psychology of flow: what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi said

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi spent a long time studying the behaviour of people who engage in activities ‘simply because they bring joy’, even if those activities require effort, cause fatigue and stress, are unpaid, and seem strange to outsiders.

He observed that a person can become so immersed in a process that they literally ‘merge’ with it. This led to the discovery of the phenomenon of ‘flow’ — a state of complete concentration, engagement and enjoyment of the process itself, and a source of the purest and most enduring happiness.

‘Happiness is not something that simply ‘happens’ to us, but something we consciously create through such states.’

Conditions for the formation of a flow

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi identifies several key factors:

1. A balance between the difficulty of the task and your skills. The task should be challenging enough to motivate you, but not so difficult as to cause anxiety or fear.

«A bit harder than I can manage right now» → flow

Too easy → boredom

Too difficult → anxiety

Many philosophers and psychologists — from Nietzsche and Frankl to contemporary researchers — agree that what causes people the greatest suffering is not the absence of pleasure, but the absence of a pursuit that captivates them.

2. Clear and achievable goals — a person must understand what they are trying to achieve and be able to see their progress towards that goal.

3. Feedback (you can see straight away whether you’re on the right track. It’s important to receive quick and clear signals about how successful your actions are during the process: the music plays, the drawing takes shape, the metrics improve).

4. Complete focus on the present moment and the task at hand — attention is on the task rather than on anxiety or fear; time seems to slip away, self-control fades into the background, and a sense of total immersion is created.

 Enthusiasm as a career guide

Whatever captures your interest usually points the way to an area where you can become a leading expert. In that area, it’s easier for you to develop, easier to learn, easier to cope with the pressure, and easier to accept the consequences of your mistakes — simply because it’s interesting.

 Passion motivates a person to constantly learn, hone their skills and overcome difficulties, as they are interested not only in the outcome but also in the process itself. Step by step, a person transforms chaotic uncertainty into mastery; through their own efforts, they turn chaos into a predictable, stable and high-quality outcome. This is a key characteristic of giftedness.

The transformation takes place imperceptibly.

Through small internal shifts:

• one decision
• one breath
• one risk
• one step towards your passion

And suddenly — you’re ‘already dancing’.

Who ends up in the flow most often?

Real-life examples of situations where people often get swept up in the flow:

• A programmer completely absorbed in their code,
• A musician performing on stage,
• A writer whose words seem to flow effortlessly onto the page,
• A chess player in the midst of a tense game,
• A surgeon during a complex operation,
• A dancer completely lost in the movement and the music,
• A film director so engrossed in editing that he doesn’t notice dawn breaking,
• A photographer who stops thinking about camera settings, angles or timing. It’s as if it all happens automatically.
• A swimmer moving in perfect rhythm,
• A film director so engrossed in editing a film that he doesn’t notice dawn breaking,
• An architect completely absorbed in designing a new house,
• A footballer making precise decisions intuitively, without a moment’s hesitation,
• A marketer devising a strategy and seeing the bigger picture,
• A teacher explaining a topic so inspiringly that everyone listens to them,
• An entrepreneur creating a new product and sensing how all the elements gradually come together into a single system,
• An analyst, passionately piecing together a complex jigsaw puzzle of data,
• A chef, preparing a dish in perfect harmony with the rhythm of their kitchen,
• A gamer, completely focused on the game and acting without hesitation,
• A speaker, addressing an audience and feeling as though the words flow naturally,
• A psychologist so immersed in a conversation that they begin to see the deeper essence of what is happening,
• An artist who forgets everything else whilst painting a picture,
• A barber who performs one haircut after another with such concentration that their movements become
• A climber tackling a challenging route, completely focused on every move: they feel the texture of the rock, seek balance, lose track of time, and for them, the only thing that matters is the next foothold.

Enthusiasm reduces burnout

When an activity is engaging, the brain copes with stress more easily — because the pleasure centres are activated.

You stay ‘in the game’ for longer; you don’t give up at the first sign of difficulty, but turn those challenges into experience that you’re absolutely delighted with!

 A favourite pastime is a source of positive emotions, inspiration and energy. It allows you to ‘switch off’ from routine or stressful tasks, acting as an outlet. People with a passion for something are more likely to feel happy and find it easier to remain optimistic and resilient.

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Enthusiasm makes you attractive to others

A passionate person stands out: they are lively and enthusiastic, and they become a magnet for clients, employers, investors and new acquaintances.

Taking part in a shared hobby is a great way to find like-minded people. People with shared interests often form teams. For example:

Enthusiasm broadens social connections

• Small businesses that have grown out of a dream – coffee shops, beauty salons, small-scale production ventures – set up by friends who loved coffee, the atmosphere and the chance to create. A passion for the product brings people together more strongly than formal business plans.
• People who are passionate about sport form teams and take part in tournaments. A passion for sport fosters team spirit, trust and coordination.
• People with shared interests take part in hiking trips or environmental initiatives (such as cleaning up the local area or planting trees), which helps to build team spirit and achieve goals together.
• Creative teams are often formed around projects where everyone can play their part and use their skills to tackle complex, shared challenges.
• Start-ups. A group of lads who loved photography and simple interfaces created Instagram – it was this shared passion that brought them together.
• Bands. People come together because they’re passionate about music — and it’s this passion that keeps a band together more than money ever could.
• Volunteering and social initiatives. Teams that help to improve the urban environment, support animals, children and vulnerable families, or work to protect the environment. Such projects exist and thrive primarily thanks to people who are genuinely passionate about their mission, rather than the size of their pay packet.
• Gaming communities and esports. Clans and teams. People come together because they’re passionate about the game, strategy and honing their skills — and that’s how real teams and even champions are born.
• Scientific collaborations. Groups of researchers and inventors who develop medicines, technology or new algorithms. Scientists come together because they are all driven by a shared passion: the desire to get to the bottom of things.

Enthusiasm brings a sense of vitality

It’s that feeling that you don’t exist — yet you’re alive.

It’s not a case of ‘just getting through to the weekend’ or ‘putting up with it until your holiday’, but rather feeling that you’re putting your heart and soul into something important.

In Japan, people say…

“If you love something, you’ll do it well”

Enthusiasm is what brings a person to life: it provides interest, drive and meaning. Without it, life often feels empty and mechanical; with it, it feels more meaningful and fulfilling.

How can you increase the flow in your life?

1. Choose activities where you already have some skills, but where there’s room for improvement. It’s like choosing the flavour of the ‘stock’ in which you’ll be simmering day in, day out.

2. Say out loud and write down your desires: ‘what I want’, ‘what I can do’, ‘what’s important to me’, ‘how I see things’, ‘how I’ll move forward’, ‘what I need to learn’, ‘what will take me one step further’. This is one of the most important things for your mental well-being and personal development; it’s how you turn fog into clarity.

The thoughts that go round in your head are often vague and chaotic. But when you say them out loud or write them down, they take on shape and meaning.

Clear words → clear intentions → clear actions. That’s how you become true to yourself.

A person is only truly able to control three things:

• what he thinks.
• what he says,
• and what he does,

This is the core of your personal power. These are the only three tools that are always within your control.

3. Keep a record of what you do — so you can see your progress and how you’ve developed. When you write down what you wanted to achieve, the steps you took and the result you ultimately achieved, you begin to see the bigger picture of your growth. You’ll find it fascinating to share your story with a group of like-minded enthusiasts.

4. Set clear micro-goals for the next 30–60 minutes as part of a larger task,

Take on a big task and ask yourself:

«What exactly do I want to get done in the next hour?»

That way, you’ll feel in control of the situation and your actions.

The brain needs to understand:

• what needs to be done,
• where to go next,
• what will count as success.
• without wasting time on trivialities and irritations.
  

When the goal is clear, your attention is focused on the task at hand, rather than on doubts and anxiety.

5. Get rid of distractions; the flow thrives on a clear space, silence and order.

Learn to quickly get to grips with the sub-tasks and minor details that make up your main task.

• If you want to feel as though you’re on a motorway — create a structure within which you can quickly find your bearings, easily change course and move forward without wasting time ‘thinking’ or agonising over which direction to take. If you don’t work out the structure, you’ll find yourself going back frequently, doubts will arise, you’ll feel lost when tackling tasks — and this will regularly knock you off course.

«Chaos creates setbacks – structure creates momentum»

6. Keep refining your process: identify where efficiency is low, where you get stuck, where mistakes occur, where it’s boring, and where it’s too difficult → simplify or complicate things straight away – create your own system that will support you and help you achieve your goals and aspirations. Over time, you’ll develop your own ‘personal system’ that will naturally draw you into the flow and lead you to results.

Identify the areas where you’re putting in the most effort; these are usually the stages where you need to analyse your work, assess what’s already been done, and decide how to proceed.

7. Create evaluation criteria. Each review must answer clear questions:

• What was planned?
• What has been completed?
• Does the result meet expectations?
• Should we carry on?
• What needs to be improved?
• Should we stop the work?

The brain uses the most energy when making decisions — specifically during the Review Stage.
When the structure of the project is clear, the criteria are straightforward and the path is laid out step by step, things become easier for the brain: decisions are made more quickly, more accurately and with greater ease; you feel a sense of calm and a sense of moving forward.

This kind of regular monitoring gives you a very powerful sense that:
«Everything will be alright. I’m in control of the process, not the other way round»

This saves energy, reduces anxiety and ensures a steady, confident pace.

Divide the review into difficulty levels

Not every decision has to be a difficult one.

Minor reviews: check the status, compare actual results with the plan.
Moderate reviews: adjust the course.
Major reviews: change the strategy.

his saves energy and turns clear processes, goals and expectations into a sort of game; you begin to understand better where you can apply pressure and get results, and where it’s pointless to push and you’re better off asking for help. In this way, you’ll keep honing your skills and creating value — for yourself, for others and for the world around you. You’ll become increasingly confident in achieving the results you want. You’ll gradually develop the ability to turn ideas into value — tangible and meaningful value.

8. Gradually increase the difficulty «by half a step above your current level»

9. Keep an eye on how you’re feeling: if you’re bored, make things more challenging; if you’re feeling anxious, make things simpler.

10.  Accept that setbacks, losses and defeats are inevitable as you move forward. Learn to see them as a natural and integral part of the journey. They are not the end, but rather opportunities to regroup.

• Failure shows you where your strategy is no longer working. It’s a sign that you need to pause, change your approach and carry on.

• Loss teaches us to let go. By freeing up resources, time, attention and energy for new opportunities. By making room, it creates space for something new.

• Failure shows you the limit of what you’ve been able to achieve in your current version of yourself. It doesn’t define your potential — it indicates where the next stage of growth begins. To move forward, you need to become stronger, wiser and more experienced.

These are the moments when you come up against things that aren’t yet fully developed — your skills, strategy, character, resilience. Defeat pushes your boundaries. It shows that your current level is no longer enough — which means it’s time to become stronger, smarter and more insightful; it’s time to move up to the next level.

Mistakes, setbacks, losses, defeats – they are not enemies; they are part of the process of growth. It is precisely through them that you gain experience, change your way of thinking, strengthen your character and become someone capable of reaching places that your former self could never have reached.

Growth rarely happens on a straight path. It comes from overcoming challenges.

These three experiences are not about punishment, but about realigning your direction, removing barriers and building strength. All three states are points of recalibration, after which you move with greater precision and strength.

There is no magic ‘formula for success’; it is up to you to create it through trial and error.

Why are these 3 experiences important?

• They bring you back to basics and make you re-evaluate what matters to you; you rethink your values and your whole approach to things.
• They sharpen your focus, making you wiser and more resilient.
• They steer you towards what is truly yours.

— like navigation lights that show where you’ve strayed and where you need to go back to.

11. Expertise grows through repetition: the more often you carry out the same tasks, the greater your confidence becomes and the more predictable the outcome becomes.

Many people who practise this ritual regularly find themselves in the flow by the 12th to 18th minute of their work.

In short: flow is when you’re so ‘in the moment’ that you lose yourself, time disappears, and all that remains is pure action and the pleasure it brings.

Love what you do, and do what you love.

How can you foster a enthusiasm?

• Look for things that really light up your eyes (even if they seem ‘frivolous’).
• Try something new on a regular basis — passion rarely arises without experimentation.
• Pay attention to the moments when you lose track of time.
• Analyse what it was that gave you pleasure.
• Don’t confuse passion with a sense of ‘duty’ or social approval.
• Allow yourself to do what interests you, even if it doesn’t bring immediate benefits.
• Develop your skills in your chosen field — as your expertise grows, your interest often becomes even stronger.
• Spend time with people who are genuinely passionate about what they do. Their energy and attitude towards their work can inspire you too.

What is monozukuri?

In Japan, there is a philosophy Мonozukuri, 物作り

The Japanese practical philosophy of «creating things».

• Literal translation: «the creation/making of things» (mono = thing, object; tsukuri = creation, making).
• This is not merely a manufacturing process, but a profound philosophy of work, quality and our relationship with the world. It entails:
  • The utmost attention to detail,
  • A commitment to excellence,
  • Respect for the materials, the process and the end user,
  • Creating items that last a long time and bring both practical benefit and joy.

Key idea: ‘monozukuri wa hitozukuri’ (物作りは人作り) — ‘making things is about shaping people’. The process of crafting objects shapes the character of the craftsman: discipline, patience, humility, responsibility and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Key principles

• User-centred approach — a product should perfectly meet real needs, rather than simply being sold.
• Quality over quantity — even if it means higher costs or takes longer.
• Respect for materials — understanding their nature, working in harmony with them (influenced by Shintoism and Zen).
• Kaizen — making small, continuous improvements every day, by at least 0.5 per cent.
• Integrity — the union of the craftsman’s hands, mind, technology and soul.

Origins and cultural connection

The philosophy has its roots in the traditions of Japanese craftsmanship, where the main character, Takumi, 匠, たくみ

Who is Takumi?

Takumi, 匠, たくみ is a person who has mastered their craft to such an extent that their work becomes art. Therefore, the word can be translated not simply as «master», but as a master of their craft, an inventor, a virtuoso, a person who has attained the highest level of professionalism, or a skilled creator.

There is also the term Shokunin,しょくにん — a skilled professional who knows how to do a high-quality job.

Takumi is a legendary player. Takumi shares his experience and insights.

Takumi’s motto: Every day, become a little better than yesterday.

Special status: In Japan, this title is awarded to masters who have devoted at least 25–30 years to their craft (sometimes requiring around 60,000 hours of work) and have achieved absolute perfection in the finer details.

An example from the automotive industry:

The Lexus brand actively utilises the Takumi Masters concept. These are highly skilled specialists who assemble and quality-check the cars by hand. They undergo various tests; for example, one of their tests involves folding an extremely complex origami figure with their non-dominant hand in under 90 seconds.

The Nisan brand — every engine is assembled by a single Takumi master, who signs it with a nameplate bearing their name.

In Japan, they teach that how you do something is more important than what you do. This is a way of cultivating oneself through mastery.

***This text is neither a guide nor a universal truth. It is the author’s personal reflection.