Summary: The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy
The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon provides an inspirational framework for fueling your life and work with positive energy. This international bestseller shares ten simple yet profound rules for becoming the driver of your bus and creating a joyous, purposeful ride.
"You can't control everything that happens to you, but you can control your attitude and how you respond."
Rule 1: Take the Wheel and Drive Your Bus
The first rule is to take responsibility for your life and stop playing the victim. You can't control everything but can maintain your choices and attitude. When you accept the wheel of your bus, you choose your path instead of letting life happen to you.
Driving your bus with intention and purpose will lead you where you want to go. Don't let other people steer your life off course. Take control and head confidently toward your dreams and goals, just like Oprah Winfrey did when she took ownership of her nationally syndicated talk show.
Rule 2: Focus Your Energy on Your Vision
Desire, vision, and focus will move your bus down the road. It would help if you had clarity on where you want to go and concentrate your power on making it happen. When you focus your positive energy, you'll attract the people and resources you need.
As an entrepreneur, clearly define your vision for your business, as Sara Blakely did when she envisioned the possibilities for Spanx shapewear. Keep this vision front and center in your mind, and ensure your team understands and aligns with it, too. Your vision will inspire you to keep moving forward.
Rule 3: Spread Positive Energy
To ride smoothly, your bus needs fuel in the form of positive energy. This means avoiding negative people who drain your motivation. Instead, cultivate an upbeat attitude, express gratitude, encourage others, and create positive team rituals, as Herb Kelleher did at Southwest Airlines.
Generating positive energy will keep you and your team revved up to achieve your goals. Make it a priority to limit negativity and develop a culture where optimism, appreciation, and fun are the norm.
Rules 4 & 5: Build a Great Team
As Walt Disney did with his creative team, you want people on your bus who share your vision and add their positive energy. Please don't waste time motivating those who like to go elsewhere; wish them well. Focus on finding and developing people who complement your strengths.
Spend time identifying promising team members and communicating your vision. Energize them by showing you care about their development. Guide them and give them the freedom to shine based on their talents. With the right team on your bus, anything is possible.
Rule 6: Establish Clear Boundaries
Productive teams don't tolerate sustained negativity. Be cautious about allowing energy vampires on your bus; their toxic attitudes will drain motivation quickly. As Steve Jobs did at Apple, they set clear expectations that whining and criticism are unacceptable. If certain people persist in tearing down rather than building up, they don't belong on your bus.
Protect your positive culture by keeping energy vampires off your bus or ejecting them quickly when they act out. Also, set boundaries around your own time and energy. Don't let others derail your focus.
Rule 7: Spread Enthusiasm
When you demonstrate passion and enthusiasm, you'll attract more excited passengers. People want to be part of something meaningful that energizes them. Share your vision with stamina and zeal, as Elon Musk does at Tesla. Express gratitude openly. Use positive language, celebrate wins, and find ways to make work fun.
Your enthusiasm will be infectious. Before long, your whole team will be infecting each other with excitement. This shared energy will help you power through challenges.
Rules 8 & 9: Lead with Purpose and Love
Love and care for your people, appreciate their unique value, and strive to understand their needs, like Maya Angelou did with her students. When you act compassionately, team members will give you their hearts and loyalty.
Also, drive your bus purposefully to make a positive difference, as Blake Mycoskie's TOMS Shoes does by donating new shoes to needy children with every pair purchased. When your work is fueled by meaning beyond profits, it will ignite commitment and joy—leading with love and purpose results in a tribe that loves the ride.
Rule 10: Enjoy the Ride
Life is short - don't miss out on the journey's richness. I appreciate each moment and have fun with your work and team. Laughter reduces stress and makes any trip more rewarding. Keep perspective when challenges arise, as Richard Branson does with Virgin's relaxed and fun brand image. What matters is creating the most of the ride, not just arriving at a destination.
"Focus on solutions, not problems. When you focus on problems, you'll have more problems. When you focus on solutions, you'll find more solutions."
Approach each day with gratitude, humor, and presence. Keep your team focused on solutions, not problems. Celebrate small wins. Infuse work with playfulness and joy. Who says you can't enjoy the ride while pursuing your goals?
The Energy Bus principles provide a roadmap for fueling a thriving, passionate life and team. When applied consistently, they unlock tremendous potential for momentum. Here's the bottom line - take the wheel, spread great energy, surround yourself with positive people, lead with love, and enjoy the ride!
Now get out there and drive your bus!