How Full is your Bucket?

Jim Ewan • Published 3 Jul 2009 15:30

Share this

Positive reinforcement for a better life

ISBN: 1-59562-003-6

Tom Rath & Donald O Clifton PhD

Published by Gallup Press

Although this book is over four years old, I"ve only just come across it. And it is such an important work I simply had to publicise it.

This book shows just how the briefest of interactions can affect your work, relationships, health and even how long you will live.

Basing their arguments on solid research and using real-life examples, the authors set out to show how negativity can actually kill and how positive interaction can benefit everyone.

They use the metaphor of a bucket and "dipper" (in the UK, read "ladle") where everyone has an invisible bucket that others can fill by ladling in positivity - or empty by ladling out (being negative). We, of course, do the same to other people.

In a business context, filling someone"s bucket equates to recognising them for their achievements, their efforts or sometimes just for being around. The research has shown that those who receive regular recognition or praise demonstrate increased productivity, score higher with customers, stay with the firm longer - and more.

When it comes to personal relationships, focusing on the positive perhaps unsurprisingly leads to better relationships and, in the case of children, better school records. I said "unsurprisingly" because you no doubt were thinking I was stating the obvious. Yet, sadly, the research shows we all tend to focus on negatives!

There is much more that is worthwhile in this book - including the "Five Strategies for Increasing Positive Emotions" and even templates for your own "bucket-filling" notes.

This is a truly life-enhancing book and I urge you to buy it, read it and put its ideas into practice.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle