The Energy Bus - Rule #3

Rule #3 here we are!  Jon Gordon's rules build on one another.  Rule #3 is no different.

Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy

We have learned in the previous two rules that being the driver of our own bus and allowing desire, vision and focus move that bus in the right direction is a great start to a better life lived.  However, just like a physical bus needs fuel to make any trip, our lives need fuel to make our trip as well.  Jon Gordon's best suggestion for the octane that we use for our lives is Positive Energy.

"...if you keep on thinking what you have been thinking you'll keep on getting what you have been getting." (page 45)

What Jon Gordon is saying here is simple: the law of attraction.  We discussed this last time...the law of attraction simply says that what you think about, talk about and expend the most energy towards is what you will ultimately attract.  So, Gordon's advice to all of us to think on (and ultimately speak forth) only positive things and the things that we want.

E + P = O

E = Events

P = Perception/Positive energy

O = Outcome

(page 46)

The events of our lives coupled with how we handle them determine their outcome.  We've all heard the quote  'life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we handle it'.

"Things happen...but it's how we choose to deal with the events in our life that means everything.  We all get down but the key is what we do to turn life around...positive energy and positive people create positive results." (page 46)

It's a good thing that Jon Gordon says next.  He is careful to point out that positive energy isn't phony smiles and fake happiness.  He says that it's more than that...it's energy that comes from within and is developed in the course of our past successes.  It's important to remember that positive energy is FUEL!!  It gives our lives the "pick me up" energy that we often need to overcome certain obstacles.  Negative energy is draining!  We've all been around those individuals whose lives are fueled by negative energy.  It's draining them while at the same time draining us.  Positive energy has the same contagious effect; positive energy will rub off on those around us to inspire and energize their lives as well.  The question is, which energy do you want to be responsible for spreading?

Two great exercises that Jon Gordon associates with positive energy as fuel for our lives are called the Thank You Walk and the One Great Golf Shot Theory.

Thank You Walk (pages 51-52)

The thank you walk is a great exercise to re-boost your energy levels when you feel the positivity slipping away.  It's simple.  Take as much time as you can in the morning, at lunch, in the evening or even while driving to or from work and SAY OUT LOUD the things in your life that you are grateful for.  The purpose of this time is to focus your mind and your words on that which is going well and positive in your life.  This is a great daily exercise but also helpful especially in those situations where we catch ourselves rehearsing the negative.

One Great Golf Shot Theory (pages 53-54)

The one great golf shot theory is very similar to the thank you walk.  It is a practice to keep the positive energy flowing in our lives on a daily basis.  The one great golf shot theory revolves around the fact that after a round of golf, golfers focus on the one great shot that they had during the day instead of focusing on the bad ones.  Jon Gordon's advice is to do this in life.  Before bed, focus on the one (or more) great "shots" that you took throughout the day.  Pair this with the thank you walk and positive energy will be flowing in, through and out of you!

So fuel up your bus with positive energy and we'll talk at the next stop!