Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work

¶ … Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton. Specifically it will contain a book report of the book. This short self-help book looks at the business and personal world to make more positive relationships. It notes that psychology often looks at what is wrong with people, and maintains instead it should be looking at what is right with people. They call this positive psychology or positive emotions (Rath and Clifton 12). In fact, the co-author, Donald O. Clifton pioneered these studies in psychology, and died shortly after he helped write this book. The authors use the images of a bucket and dipper to make its points and this analogy continues throughout the book to inspire readers.

In the opening pages of the book, the authors explain the bucket theory. They say, "Like the cup that runneth over, a full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. Every drop in that bucket makes us stronger and more optimistic" (Rath and Clifton 15). They also note that keeping our buckets filled is our own choice, and so is dipping from other people's buckets, which can be very harmful. However, if we fill others' buckets, we help them, and help ourselves, too. This is the underlying theory of the book and the premise that keeps the reader reading to find out more.

In the business world, keeping full buckets relates to recognition and praise, both for yourself and others. Studies indicate that praise and recognition are two of the greatest motivators in the business world, and so, it helps both the individual and business to succeed. The best-loved managers are those who positively motivate their employees, and usually their businesses succeed, as well. The authors state, "The #1 reason people leave their jobs: They don't feel appreciated" (Rath and Clifton 30). Thus, the book teaches ways to be more positive and motivational in the business world, because it can affect everything from productivity to employee longevity.

The book uses real life examples to illustrate points, which makes it easier to apply to personal situations, and it notes the problems that negativity and lack of recognition can create in the workplace. These examples show the damage that negativity (bucket emptying) can do in the workplace, and how just some small praise or compliment can make things seem much brighter. Again, the examples could be anyone, in any situation, so they are appealing and understandable to the reader, helping to make the most important points in the book stick in the mind. The book also applies to school, family life, and personal lives, so the reader can get more than one result from reading this book and then applying its principles.

Perhaps the best part of this book is not the personal examples, which can be very motivating, but the strategies the authors include to help the reader become more positive and "fill other people's buckets." The strategies could have become trite examples of positive thinking, but instead they offer solutions that seem simple and yet enlightening, such as "give unexpectedly," and "make best friends." Just about any reader can relate to these strategies, because they know the joy of both giving and receiving something unexpectedly, or making a new friend that you know will be with you for life. In this way, the strategies seem more achievable, and the reader may be more likely to put them into practice, as well.