The secret to career success? Enthusiasm

This week, Morley Safer reported on a job-training boot camp that places disadvantaged youth in positions at some of the country's most competitive companies.

Nearly 35 years ago, Safer reported on another tool job-hunters were using to gain an edge in the workforce.

The year was 1980 and Safer found himself in Dallas at a $900, three-day seminar where average Joes were being taught the secret to success: enthusiasm.

The man behind the seminar, Ed Foreman, claimed he could make individuals richer, better and happier just by changing their mindset from "a frightened little church mouse" to that of a "super mouse."

Some advice was as simple as answering, "Terrific!" when asked, "How are you?" Other advice included filling out goal planners and a creative ideas manual.

Foreman's gospel and that of his competitor, Zig Ziglar (referred to as the "most fantastic man outside of God" by a loyal follower), earned both men millions.

Puzzled by the simplicity of the seminars, Safer asked whether Foreman was stating the obvious when he preached "life is for laughing, loving, and living."

"Well, it might be the obvious, but very few people, in fact, in life practice it," Foreman told Safer. "A positive mental attitude and action plus a specific, identifiable, written goal equals supper on the table, equals health, wealth and happiness."