Comments on: Serial Enthusiasms and Enduring Passions http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions a blog about the connected age Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:54:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Why Settle for Just One Path? http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-396 Why Settle for Just One Path? Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:16:57 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-396 [...] Les Orchard calls himself a Serial Enthusiast and Anne Zelenka concurs: …I, too, am a serial enthusiast… [...] […] Les Orchard calls himself a Serial Enthusiast and Anne Zelenka concurs: …I, too, am a serial enthusiast… […]

]]> By: Anne 2.0 » Blog Archive » An Unsatisfying Read http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-395 Anne 2.0 » Blog Archive » An Unsatisfying Read Sat, 10 Jun 2006 18:45:47 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-395 [...] In Satisfaction: The Science of Finding True Fulfillment, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Gregory Berns proposes that satisfaction lies not in simple hedonism, but in feeding our brains with challenging, novel experiences. Last week, I was exploring how to maintain enduring passion when you’re a serial enthusiast. I concluded that keeping things new was the secret. In his book, Berns provides the science behind that. A sense of satisfaction is generated by the brain chemical dopamine, previously considered by scientists as the neurotransmitter of pleasure, but now known to be released in anticipation of and in response to both pleasant and unpleasant sensations. Incidentally, dopamine is released by many psychoactive drugs including my personal favorite, caffeine. [...] […] In Satisfaction: The Science of Finding True Fulfillment, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Gregory Berns proposes that satisfaction lies not in simple hedonism, but in feeding our brains with challenging, novel experiences. Last week, I was exploring how to maintain enduring passion when you’re a serial enthusiast. I concluded that keeping things new was the secret. In his book, Berns provides the science behind that. A sense of satisfaction is generated by the brain chemical dopamine, previously considered by scientists as the neurotransmitter of pleasure, but now known to be released in anticipation of and in response to both pleasant and unpleasant sensations. Incidentally, dopamine is released by many psychoactive drugs including my personal favorite, caffeine. […]

]]> By: Anne http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-394 Anne Sat, 03 Jun 2006 18:23:56 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-394 Earl: I like that, HedgeFox or FoxHog. You're right, you can balance it. But sometimes being a little unbalanced is fun too! Earl: I like that, HedgeFox or FoxHog. You’re right, you can balance it. But sometimes being a little unbalanced is fun too!

]]> By: Earl Moore http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-393 Earl Moore Fri, 02 Jun 2006 17:05:55 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-393 I've tried to become a disciplined fox in my life. If left to my natural instincts I I’ve tried to become a disciplined fox in my life. If left to my natural instincts I

]]> By: l.m.orchard http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-392 l.m.orchard Fri, 02 Jun 2006 14:34:14 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-392 I've been lucky enough to find someone who's not only tolerant of my serial enthusiasms, but apparently enjoys being around me. And, I've found that in her case my enthusiasm has only been constant and growing and shows no sign of wander. Alexandra's been a daily source of novelty to me, so I think she's one rare case wherein I'm happy to tie up loose ends and commit to a lifetime of future support. :) I’ve been lucky enough to find someone who’s not only tolerant of my serial enthusiasms, but apparently enjoys being around me. And, I’ve found that in her case my enthusiasm has only been constant and growing and shows no sign of wander. Alexandra’s been a daily source of novelty to me, so I think she’s one rare case wherein I’m happy to tie up loose ends and commit to a lifetime of future support. :)

]]> By: Anne http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-391 Anne Thu, 01 Jun 2006 16:08:34 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-391 Serge: I think experimenting and having an open mind are components of finding the novelty in what might seem mundane to other people. I imagine that business owners like you must find ways to keep repetitive experiences fresh and interesting, otherwise you risk treating your customers by rote instead of with attention. Your metaphor of a farmer makes me think of the virtues of patience and letting things develop in their own time. Scott: I have that completion problem too. Somehow calling myself a fox doesn't quiet the voices of my parents in my head saying "don't be a quitter!" Serge: I think experimenting and having an open mind are components of finding the novelty in what might seem mundane to other people. I imagine that business owners like you must find ways to keep repetitive experiences fresh and interesting, otherwise you risk treating your customers by rote instead of with attention. Your metaphor of a farmer makes me think of the virtues of patience and letting things develop in their own time.

Scott: I have that completion problem too. Somehow calling myself a fox doesn’t quiet the voices of my parents in my head saying “don’t be a quitter!”

]]> By: Scott Mark http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-390 Scott Mark Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:49:46 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-390 So does this allow me to feel better about not completing things!! ;-) I am definitely always interested in getting on to the next thing, rather than thoroughly sweeping up and hitting the lights. Maybe I can just tell people that it's my fox-nature... So does this allow me to feel better about not completing things!! ;-)
I am definitely always interested in getting on to the next thing, rather than thoroughly sweeping up and hitting the lights. Maybe I can just tell people that it’s my fox-nature…

]]> By: Serge Lescouarnec http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-389 Serge Lescouarnec Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:46:35 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-389 By keeping it new, do you mean experimenting, having an open mind? As I personally juggle a full time restaurant job. Building a business (my concierge service) and a growing interest in writing and sharing things through blogging, My mindset is moving towards quality rather than quantity. The image of the farmer tending his fields and watching things grow is something I feel close to. I try to get away from obsessing on short term goals and giving things time to happen instead. Serge Biz: http://www.njconcierges.com Blog: http://www.sergetheconcierge.com By keeping it new, do you mean experimenting, having an open mind? As I personally juggle a full time restaurant job. Building a business (my concierge service) and a growing interest in writing and sharing things through blogging, My mindset is moving towards quality rather than quantity.
The image of the farmer tending his fields and watching things grow is something I feel close to.
I try to get away from obsessing on short term goals and giving things time to happen instead.

Serge
Biz:
http://www.njconcierges.com
Blog:
http://www.sergetheconcierge.com

]]> By: Jon Rowett’s Workblog » Me too! Me too! http://www.annezelenka.com/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-388 Jon Rowett’s Workblog » Me too! Me too! Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:43:52 +0000 http://www.annezelenka.com/testbed/2006/06/serial-enthusiasms-and-enduring-passions#comment-388 [...] Finally I know what I am: I’m a serial enthusiast. [...] […] Finally I know what I am: I’m a serial enthusiast. […]

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