What do you think?
Rate this book
How Full Is Your Bucket?
How did you feel after your last interaction with another person?
Did that person -- your spouse, best friend, co-worker, or even a stranger -- "fill your bucket" by making you more positive? Or did that person "dip from your bucket," leaving you more negative than before?
How Full Is Your Bucket? reveals how even the briefest interactions affect your relationships, productivity, health, and longevity.
Organized around a simple metaphor of a dipper and a bucket, and grounded in 50 years of research, this audiobook will show you how to greatly increase the positive moments in your work and your life while reducing the negative.
Filled with discoveries, powerful strategies, and engaging stories, How Full Is Your Bucket? is sure to inspire lasting chances and has all the makings of a timeless classic.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2004
391 people are currently reading
8051 people want to read
About the author
Tom Rath
23 books636 followersTom Rath is an author and researcher who has spent the past two decades studying how work can improve human health and well-being. He has two books slated for publication in 2020, Life's Great Question: Discover How You Best Contribute to the World and It's Not About You: A Brief Guide to a Meaningful Life, published in partnership with Amazon Original Stories.
In total, Tom's 10 books have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists.
Connect with Tom at:
- www.tomrath.org
- Twitter.com/TomCRath
- Facebook.com/AuthorTomRath
- Google.com/+TomRath
- Linkedin.com/in/trath/
In total, Tom's 10 books have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists.
Connect with Tom at:
- www.tomrath.org
- Twitter.com/TomCRath
- Facebook.com/AuthorTomRath
- Google.com/+TomRath
- Linkedin.com/in/trath/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 805 reviews
March 7, 2013
I read this book for a Strategic Leadership group I'm a part of at work, which I only reference because I know that I probably would not have ever chosen this book to read on my own. However, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and how applicable it is not only to your professional life, but to all relationships and interactions with anyone you may encounter.
The premise of this book is that in all interactions, we are either filling up someone's bucket or dipping from it. In other words, you can build someone up through positive interactions, or reduce them through negative ones. I was astounded by the wealth of information to back up this theory of the importance of positivity. Children do better in school with praise, businesses increase productivity, lives are lengthened through optimism, and marriages are strengthened through this approach. I really appreciated the frequent references to studies that backed up and illustrated how critical this idea is and how damaging constant negativity and criticism can be. For example, companies would be better off paying negative employees to stay at home because of the effect that their poor outlook has on productivity and morale across this board. This book urges readers to focus on praise, not criticism, and carefully consider how your interactions with others may be impacting them. Rather than focusing on what is wrong, focus on what is right and recognize the people responsible.
While this book certainly made me think and made me want to improve on how often I recognize others through simple things like an email or a kind comment, I'm frustrated by it in the same way I am all books in its category. Unfortunately, you will only get out of this book what you want to get out of it. In other words, those that want to be better people, better employees, wives, friends, neighbors, citizens of the world, will benefit from this book. But its the people who are negative and critical who probably won't really try to change their ways, or who won't even bother to read this book or to read it with an open mind. However, I do think this book's advice is true - you don't know what changing your own behavior and what impact extending positivity to others may have. I'd like to think that, while it can't fix everybody's bad attitude, it may improve someone's. On another note, I could see how some people would find this book as overly simplified and common sense type advice, and it is, but unfortunately not advice that everyone follows and thus worth repeating.
This was a really quick, light read with a simple premise and metaphor that can have a big impact. I really want to try to incorporate its lessons into my daily life. While these are lessons most people know, its good to have a reminder, and scientific back up, of just how critical it is to be kind to others.
The premise of this book is that in all interactions, we are either filling up someone's bucket or dipping from it. In other words, you can build someone up through positive interactions, or reduce them through negative ones. I was astounded by the wealth of information to back up this theory of the importance of positivity. Children do better in school with praise, businesses increase productivity, lives are lengthened through optimism, and marriages are strengthened through this approach. I really appreciated the frequent references to studies that backed up and illustrated how critical this idea is and how damaging constant negativity and criticism can be. For example, companies would be better off paying negative employees to stay at home because of the effect that their poor outlook has on productivity and morale across this board. This book urges readers to focus on praise, not criticism, and carefully consider how your interactions with others may be impacting them. Rather than focusing on what is wrong, focus on what is right and recognize the people responsible.
While this book certainly made me think and made me want to improve on how often I recognize others through simple things like an email or a kind comment, I'm frustrated by it in the same way I am all books in its category. Unfortunately, you will only get out of this book what you want to get out of it. In other words, those that want to be better people, better employees, wives, friends, neighbors, citizens of the world, will benefit from this book. But its the people who are negative and critical who probably won't really try to change their ways, or who won't even bother to read this book or to read it with an open mind. However, I do think this book's advice is true - you don't know what changing your own behavior and what impact extending positivity to others may have. I'd like to think that, while it can't fix everybody's bad attitude, it may improve someone's. On another note, I could see how some people would find this book as overly simplified and common sense type advice, and it is, but unfortunately not advice that everyone follows and thus worth repeating.
This was a really quick, light read with a simple premise and metaphor that can have a big impact. I really want to try to incorporate its lessons into my daily life. While these are lessons most people know, its good to have a reminder, and scientific back up, of just how critical it is to be kind to others.
November 17, 2011
Is a review that isn't completely upbeat dipping from the author's bucket? I like the basic premise of this book. On an individual level, I agree with the authors. There are some serious energy-suckers/bucket dippers in the world. I plan to do my best to minimize my bucket dipping. I also really enjoyed thinking about the ways one likes to be acknowledged and appreciated. I have to tell my boss in a few weeks how I like to be acknowledged and this book gave me perspective on what I like. Also the emphasis on sincerity and an individualized approach appropriate to each person was a nice change from what one usually hears about employee appreciation.
But this book left me with so many questions. How can you keep your bucket full when you live in a racist, capitalist, sexist, ableist, classist, generally oppressive society and you are one of the oppressed? What happens when the institutions of a society are set up to empty your bucket and then blame you for it? I know, I know institutions are made up of people who codify oppressions into society which manifests as institutionalized dipping? Maybe I'm thinking to deeply about this but those were my reflections.
But this book left me with so many questions. How can you keep your bucket full when you live in a racist, capitalist, sexist, ableist, classist, generally oppressive society and you are one of the oppressed? What happens when the institutions of a society are set up to empty your bucket and then blame you for it? I know, I know institutions are made up of people who codify oppressions into society which manifests as institutionalized dipping? Maybe I'm thinking to deeply about this but those were my reflections.
October 1, 2014
My friend said she thought this book was a cheesy way to get people to remember what they learned from their mamas. But I didn't get that vibe at all when I was reading it. If anything it kind of read like a parable. Things are remembered when they are related to something else that is a familiar concept. The whole bucket and dipper thing was just a tool in making the point and to help it linger longer in case it didn't completely stick.
There are many practical applications of the main message of this book, which is to fill the buckets of others, and not just with business relationships, but also with personal ones as well. I am tempted to go buy a few copies and leave them anonymously on some peoples porches. Just kidding, but it is a tempting thought.
There are many practical applications of the main message of this book, which is to fill the buckets of others, and not just with business relationships, but also with personal ones as well. I am tempted to go buy a few copies and leave them anonymously on some peoples porches. Just kidding, but it is a tempting thought.
February 15, 2020
Just a bunch of general statements, like "positive feelings make people feel happy and live longer. Working in a positive environment makes workers more productive." Just okay!
August 10, 2023
درمورد این بود که چرا نباید ذهن رو با تفکرات منفی پر کنیم
October 31, 2018
Personal Response:
I thought this book was one of the better books I read so far this year. It definitely made me think a little about myself and how I should be way more positive with life. I also thought this book was kind of short, because it was only about 80 pages.
Plot:
How Full Is Your Bucket by Tom Rath is a book about how to use positivity. The first section of this book is all about negativity. According to this book, the North Koreans would take all of the positive letters the POWs did receive and never give it to them. They would only give them bills, divorce letters, and other negative mail. The POWs would lose a reason to live and would die by curling up in a ball and starving. The death rate for POWs from negativity is 38%, the highest in US military history. After this information, the book explains how people focus on the negative details instead of the positive. For example, most parents care more about their child receiving an F rather than receiving an A. The second section of this book is all about positivity. Tom tells his story on how his parents did not focus on his bad traits, but his good traits. His grandfather tells him to start his own little business. He starts a snack stand and it slowly grows into a successful business. After he is done telling his story, he tells the story of a boss who wants to make an award for one of her employees more positive, so she includes the man’s daughters in the award ceremony. The book ends with a guide on how to increase positivity in teams and organizations.
Characterization:
There were two most talked about characters for this book: Some soldiers in the US Army who were captured during the Korean War and Tom Rath. The soldiers in the US Army changed from willing to be killed for the United States to Prisoners Of War who no longer had a reason to live. These soldiers were anywhere from 18 and a half to 35 years old. Tom Rath changed from a kid with some good skills in business to the owner of a successful snack shop. This was because Tom’s grandfather told Tom to start a business. Tom also became a best-selling author.
Setting:
This book has stories which take place during different times of life. The first real story mention takes place in North Korea during the Korean War. The Korean War starts in 1950 and ends in 1953. This is where the Koreans destroy the POWs’ reason to live with negativity. The second real story takes place Nebraska in 1983 and 1984, when Tom is about 12 years old. This is where Tom starts a snack stand that grows into a successful business at the time.
Theme:
The theme of this book is positivity can make a huge difference in someone’s life. This theme was clear to me when the book was discussing how many soldiers died from negativity. I could also tell the theme of this book is positivity because this book is all about living a more positive life instead of a negative life.
Recommendation:
I recommend this book to both males and females at age 10 and up. The book isn’t a hard read at all, but there is a version of this book for kids. I think this book would be perfect for older kids because there is a section in this book all about using talents fully.
I thought this book was one of the better books I read so far this year. It definitely made me think a little about myself and how I should be way more positive with life. I also thought this book was kind of short, because it was only about 80 pages.
Plot:
How Full Is Your Bucket by Tom Rath is a book about how to use positivity. The first section of this book is all about negativity. According to this book, the North Koreans would take all of the positive letters the POWs did receive and never give it to them. They would only give them bills, divorce letters, and other negative mail. The POWs would lose a reason to live and would die by curling up in a ball and starving. The death rate for POWs from negativity is 38%, the highest in US military history. After this information, the book explains how people focus on the negative details instead of the positive. For example, most parents care more about their child receiving an F rather than receiving an A. The second section of this book is all about positivity. Tom tells his story on how his parents did not focus on his bad traits, but his good traits. His grandfather tells him to start his own little business. He starts a snack stand and it slowly grows into a successful business. After he is done telling his story, he tells the story of a boss who wants to make an award for one of her employees more positive, so she includes the man’s daughters in the award ceremony. The book ends with a guide on how to increase positivity in teams and organizations.
Characterization:
There were two most talked about characters for this book: Some soldiers in the US Army who were captured during the Korean War and Tom Rath. The soldiers in the US Army changed from willing to be killed for the United States to Prisoners Of War who no longer had a reason to live. These soldiers were anywhere from 18 and a half to 35 years old. Tom Rath changed from a kid with some good skills in business to the owner of a successful snack shop. This was because Tom’s grandfather told Tom to start a business. Tom also became a best-selling author.
Setting:
This book has stories which take place during different times of life. The first real story mention takes place in North Korea during the Korean War. The Korean War starts in 1950 and ends in 1953. This is where the Koreans destroy the POWs’ reason to live with negativity. The second real story takes place Nebraska in 1983 and 1984, when Tom is about 12 years old. This is where Tom starts a snack stand that grows into a successful business at the time.
Theme:
The theme of this book is positivity can make a huge difference in someone’s life. This theme was clear to me when the book was discussing how many soldiers died from negativity. I could also tell the theme of this book is positivity because this book is all about living a more positive life instead of a negative life.
Recommendation:
I recommend this book to both males and females at age 10 and up. The book isn’t a hard read at all, but there is a version of this book for kids. I think this book would be perfect for older kids because there is a section in this book all about using talents fully.
February 1, 2021
I think I’m going to give up on reading self-help-development books. Well, maybe not “give up completely” but keep to 1 every 15+ books.
It might just be me, but it seems that they all regurgitate the same messages over and over again. Different authors just have a different way of delivery, content is very similar.
This one I thought was ok for 2 reasons.
1. It is very short.
2. What I assumed the book was about was not what it was about at all, so intrigued I kept on reading.
My thought based on the title was that this book was going to talk about multi tasking or prioritizing effectively to keep your bucket full but not overflowing.
That’s not it.
The book centers around the power of positive reinforcement and shows various examples where that was effective aka filling someone’s bucket with positivity.
It contrast that with emptying someone’s bucket when you are being negative.
People with full buckets tend to be happier, more effective and more loyal while those without tend to be unhappy, not dedicated, not performing at their potential and just slug through the day doing the bare minimum or less.
I did like the examples, they were emotional with a touch of humanity to all of them. So, that’s what made the 3 stars versus 2 for my rating.
I also found the test you get included with the book to be a fun side thing to do while reading and learning about yourself. It is not much different from other personality assessments out there but there is just something about those that make them fun doing.
No? Just me then? Oh well.
Overall, I’d say give this a shot if you’re looking for a concise book on positive reinforcement and it’s benefits in a workplace but otherwise it’s the same old, same old.
Roman
It might just be me, but it seems that they all regurgitate the same messages over and over again. Different authors just have a different way of delivery, content is very similar.
This one I thought was ok for 2 reasons.
1. It is very short.
2. What I assumed the book was about was not what it was about at all, so intrigued I kept on reading.
My thought based on the title was that this book was going to talk about multi tasking or prioritizing effectively to keep your bucket full but not overflowing.
That’s not it.
The book centers around the power of positive reinforcement and shows various examples where that was effective aka filling someone’s bucket with positivity.
It contrast that with emptying someone’s bucket when you are being negative.
People with full buckets tend to be happier, more effective and more loyal while those without tend to be unhappy, not dedicated, not performing at their potential and just slug through the day doing the bare minimum or less.
I did like the examples, they were emotional with a touch of humanity to all of them. So, that’s what made the 3 stars versus 2 for my rating.
I also found the test you get included with the book to be a fun side thing to do while reading and learning about yourself. It is not much different from other personality assessments out there but there is just something about those that make them fun doing.
No? Just me then? Oh well.
Overall, I’d say give this a shot if you’re looking for a concise book on positive reinforcement and it’s benefits in a workplace but otherwise it’s the same old, same old.
Roman
April 1, 2013
This book is a short, easy read. While the "bucket" concept is a little bit cheesy, I get the overall point...and it's a good one. We should try to project positivity toward others, thus increasing our own positivity. Too often, in our workplaces and our lives, we hear only the negative and none of the positive. Research has proven this is bad for morale and bad for your health. A good read for those of us struggling with too much negativity.
August 6, 2016
Good, quick read to get ready for the school year. My principal assigned this for the staff to read so we can implement some of the practices and the general idea of the book at school this year. Looking forward to seeing how my students respond to this and how we can work as a class to become bucket fillers.
May 7, 2017
A concise, upbeat self-help book that shows how optimism and positive social interactions can change your life.
"Bucket filling" is an analogy used by the authors, backed by loads (heh) of anecdotal & scientific evidence, to represent how giving pointed individualized praise to those in your family, friends and work can lead to far-reaching mental and physical benefits to productivity and health.
While I love reading feel-good books like this - especially ones so well-organized, backed up by research, and full of actionable guidelines - I am always curious about the other side of such a rose-colored picture.
What types of "negative" psychological research led to the author's mentor's shift towards researching the psychology of positivity? Similarly, why is so society criticism-focused if it doesn't work? When are negative criticisms warranted and useful in a leaders toolbox? Also, as other reviewers have mentioned, how other than "ignoring" (author's words) constantly negatively-minded people can we mend dire environments/situations?
Perhaps presenting this practical theory of bucket-filling in a historical and social context would bog down a self-help book of this nature, but resources to follow up on this ourselves would have been much obliged and allowed for a more holistic view of the problem.
All in all, whether you thought this book was common sense or pure nonsense, an actionable game plan to include more positivity in your life can never be a bad idea. The science and powerful relevant anecdotes are just a (positively received!) extra.
"Bucket filling" is an analogy used by the authors, backed by loads (heh) of anecdotal & scientific evidence, to represent how giving pointed individualized praise to those in your family, friends and work can lead to far-reaching mental and physical benefits to productivity and health.
While I love reading feel-good books like this - especially ones so well-organized, backed up by research, and full of actionable guidelines - I am always curious about the other side of such a rose-colored picture.
What types of "negative" psychological research led to the author's mentor's shift towards researching the psychology of positivity? Similarly, why is so society criticism-focused if it doesn't work? When are negative criticisms warranted and useful in a leaders toolbox? Also, as other reviewers have mentioned, how other than "ignoring" (author's words) constantly negatively-minded people can we mend dire environments/situations?
Perhaps presenting this practical theory of bucket-filling in a historical and social context would bog down a self-help book of this nature, but resources to follow up on this ourselves would have been much obliged and allowed for a more holistic view of the problem.
All in all, whether you thought this book was common sense or pure nonsense, an actionable game plan to include more positivity in your life can never be a bad idea. The science and powerful relevant anecdotes are just a (positively received!) extra.
July 26, 2011
This is just what I needed to start the school year. I am looking forward to introducing it to my 8th grade students. The book is focuses on asking the question, "How full is your bucket?" In order to fill your bucket you need to spread a positive attitude to co-workers, family, friends, and strangers. It is amazing how a positive attitude can influence someone. So ask yourself in every interaction you have, are you filling their bucket or dipping from it. If you are filling it, you are also filling your own bucket. Good book and quick read!
August 30, 2018
This book was a gift from my boss. Common sense information as to how words of encouragement & kindness reap better results than negative responses in both the work world as well as in the home. The small book can be read quickly and is only about half filled with actual reading material. The final half is mostly references and “how to” advice with forms that can be used in the workplace. It’s a shiny cover that probably attracts easily & sells well for gifts. Reminded me of those “cheese moving” books.
October 26, 2022
Most of what is in this book is learned from our parents & Kindergarten. It's a reminder to build people up & acknowledge their successes etc.
January 10, 2024
I can’t give this book enough kudos! A very straightforward read about, you guessed it, buckets! But there’s much more. There’s a strong encouragement for immediate application and trust me, you won’t want to wait!
December 29, 2022
Můj kbelík (=autorova metafora vnitřního stavu pozitivity a přirozené energie života) zůstal četbou této knížky nenaplněn. Stručné a srozumitelné, ale podle mě jen po povrchu. Jako základní vstup do přemýšlení o vlastních potřebách a mezilidských interakcích by to mohlo sloužit.
“Každý den zažíváme 20,000 vědomých okamžiků.”
“Každý den zažíváme 20,000 vědomých okamžiků.”
December 5, 2011
One hundred and twenty eight pages.
Almost every alternate page of a quote with a picture of a bucket.
It is then your spidey senses begin to tingle.
May be this is one of those books that comes out with few words, a lot of wasted space and points of wisdom which are either too philosophical or outright idiotic.
The question is on which side does it gravitate towards more?
The good or evil?
How FULL is Your Bucket? written by Tom Rath and Donald Clifton is a pathetic potpourri of parochial Panglossian prose with the poetic beliefs of Norman Vincent Peale, Dale Carneige and Dr. Wayne Dryer sandwiched in between American facts, moronic statistics and philanthropic shenanigans
He begins by citing examples of the American POW’s and how they were emotionally dead thanks to the new found innovative mind games in North Korea.
Then he moves to his own incredible life story of the author himself and how he overcame insurmountable odds (which was the only decent bit I found in the whole book – and yes, the part of being nice to children)
After that it is nothing but American statistics, American problems and American blah blah.
For instance
65% of Americans reported receiving no recognition for good work in the past year’
Our estimates suggest that there are more than 22 million workers – in the U.S. alone – who are extremely negative or “actively disengaged.”
It costs the American economy between $250 and $300 billion every year in lost productivity alone.
One poll found that an astounding 65% of Americans reported receiving no recognition for good work in the past year.
At one point, I seriously began to wonder, why didn’t the author change his book title to ‘How full is your American Bucket?
Seriously!
There were at times I wondered what drugs this authors was on when he grounded his beliefs on ridiculous facts.
For instance according to Nobel Prize-winning Daniel Kahneman, we experience approximately 20,000 individual moments in a waking day. Consider this: If you fill two buckets in a day, and the owners of those two buckets go on to fill two new buckets, more than a thousand buckets will have been filled at the end of 10 days. If each of those same people filled five buckets instead of two, more than 19 million buckets would be filled in just 10 days!
And then to add to the stupidity, we also have “The Magic Ratio”,
It is what Positive Psychology experts believe is the frequency of small, positive acts is critical. John Gottman’s research on marriages found that marriages are significantly more likely to succeed when the couple’s interactions are near that 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative. When the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages “cascade to divorce.”
So what do you do when you begin to hear stuff like this?
Start complimenting your spouse 5 times for every time you snap?
So with this nonsense and the extra added piece of advice, (which I remember my grandfather giving me for free) like make best friends, give unexpectedly, do unto others and frizzle frazzle dazzle, I would honestly recommend the following.
If someone gives you this book, do yourself a favor.
Throw it into a bucket.
Not just any bucket.
An American bucket.
Overall rating – 2 out of 10
Almost every alternate page of a quote with a picture of a bucket.
It is then your spidey senses begin to tingle.
May be this is one of those books that comes out with few words, a lot of wasted space and points of wisdom which are either too philosophical or outright idiotic.
The question is on which side does it gravitate towards more?
The good or evil?
How FULL is Your Bucket? written by Tom Rath and Donald Clifton is a pathetic potpourri of parochial Panglossian prose with the poetic beliefs of Norman Vincent Peale, Dale Carneige and Dr. Wayne Dryer sandwiched in between American facts, moronic statistics and philanthropic shenanigans
He begins by citing examples of the American POW’s and how they were emotionally dead thanks to the new found innovative mind games in North Korea.
Then he moves to his own incredible life story of the author himself and how he overcame insurmountable odds (which was the only decent bit I found in the whole book – and yes, the part of being nice to children)
After that it is nothing but American statistics, American problems and American blah blah.
For instance
65% of Americans reported receiving no recognition for good work in the past year’
Our estimates suggest that there are more than 22 million workers – in the U.S. alone – who are extremely negative or “actively disengaged.”
It costs the American economy between $250 and $300 billion every year in lost productivity alone.
One poll found that an astounding 65% of Americans reported receiving no recognition for good work in the past year.
At one point, I seriously began to wonder, why didn’t the author change his book title to ‘How full is your American Bucket?
Seriously!
There were at times I wondered what drugs this authors was on when he grounded his beliefs on ridiculous facts.
For instance according to Nobel Prize-winning Daniel Kahneman, we experience approximately 20,000 individual moments in a waking day. Consider this: If you fill two buckets in a day, and the owners of those two buckets go on to fill two new buckets, more than a thousand buckets will have been filled at the end of 10 days. If each of those same people filled five buckets instead of two, more than 19 million buckets would be filled in just 10 days!
And then to add to the stupidity, we also have “The Magic Ratio”,
It is what Positive Psychology experts believe is the frequency of small, positive acts is critical. John Gottman’s research on marriages found that marriages are significantly more likely to succeed when the couple’s interactions are near that 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative. When the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages “cascade to divorce.”
So what do you do when you begin to hear stuff like this?
Start complimenting your spouse 5 times for every time you snap?
So with this nonsense and the extra added piece of advice, (which I remember my grandfather giving me for free) like make best friends, give unexpectedly, do unto others and frizzle frazzle dazzle, I would honestly recommend the following.
If someone gives you this book, do yourself a favor.
Throw it into a bucket.
Not just any bucket.
An American bucket.
Overall rating – 2 out of 10
January 31, 2014
Rath and Clifton pull their title and theme of the book from a metaphor for personal interaction--a bucket and a dipper. In each interaction you have with another person you either fill that person up or take away from them.
Let me start by saying that I have worked for several people over the years that would have greatly benefited in their business from reading and applying this book's principles. people, especially employees, need specific recognition and/or praise. Rather than constantly focusing on negatives, we would build better work environments if we began with what is going right. While some of the principles I have know for a while, Rath and Clifton offer some specific advice in implementing these principles that I found useful and interesting.
On the other hand, I can't help but read this book as a Christian and specifically as a pastor. As such, I become annoyed with a recent wave in Christianity that says, "Just think positive thoughts and be nice to people and your life will be great!" Thankfully, the authors don't quite go there. But if they don't go there, then they also miss some crucial elements for living your life out of a full bucket. The truth is that some people are surrounded by negative and abusive people. They have a lot of bad things happen to them. But then they are supposed to magically will themselves to have more positive interactions with people and get over their problems? I see little hope in that approach. This book never tackles that problem. It's a blind spot perhaps. However, as a Christian, I can say that a casual reading of the psalms will show a person who is the thick of doo hitting the fan that when people fail to fill our buckets God can fill us up to over-flowing. We do not have to rely on people to fill us up.
All in all, I would say that this is a useful book to remind people of some Biblical principles, if they know the rest of the Story.
Let me start by saying that I have worked for several people over the years that would have greatly benefited in their business from reading and applying this book's principles. people, especially employees, need specific recognition and/or praise. Rather than constantly focusing on negatives, we would build better work environments if we began with what is going right. While some of the principles I have know for a while, Rath and Clifton offer some specific advice in implementing these principles that I found useful and interesting.
On the other hand, I can't help but read this book as a Christian and specifically as a pastor. As such, I become annoyed with a recent wave in Christianity that says, "Just think positive thoughts and be nice to people and your life will be great!" Thankfully, the authors don't quite go there. But if they don't go there, then they also miss some crucial elements for living your life out of a full bucket. The truth is that some people are surrounded by negative and abusive people. They have a lot of bad things happen to them. But then they are supposed to magically will themselves to have more positive interactions with people and get over their problems? I see little hope in that approach. This book never tackles that problem. It's a blind spot perhaps. However, as a Christian, I can say that a casual reading of the psalms will show a person who is the thick of doo hitting the fan that when people fail to fill our buckets God can fill us up to over-flowing. We do not have to rely on people to fill us up.
All in all, I would say that this is a useful book to remind people of some Biblical principles, if they know the rest of the Story.
October 12, 2021
All these personal and professional development books always carry one clear message...and it takes an entire book to tell it. It is not a bad thing, but the message was repeated throughout the book with stories and examples, which helped make the message relatable.
The clear message (and I don't consider this a spoiler because it is quite clear) is every single person we interact with, whether we know them or not, affects the amount of 'drops' that are in our 'bucket'.
For example, someone cuts you off while driving... negative emotion... a drop gets taken out of the bucket. You go shopping and someone holds the door open for you or says "I love that outfit"... a few drops get added to your bucket.
For those of us that work, engaging with team members affects your bucket as well as theirs. Do we compliment or complain... do we add to someone's bucket or take drops away.
I know plenty of people in my life that SUCK the water dry!!!! every time I engage with them. So the question is ... Why do I do that!!!!
Hopefully, this book will make you realize how YOU can make a difference and hope the people you fill will go on to fill others... paying it forward.
The clear message (and I don't consider this a spoiler because it is quite clear) is every single person we interact with, whether we know them or not, affects the amount of 'drops' that are in our 'bucket'.
For example, someone cuts you off while driving... negative emotion... a drop gets taken out of the bucket. You go shopping and someone holds the door open for you or says "I love that outfit"... a few drops get added to your bucket.
For those of us that work, engaging with team members affects your bucket as well as theirs. Do we compliment or complain... do we add to someone's bucket or take drops away.
I know plenty of people in my life that SUCK the water dry!!!! every time I engage with them. So the question is ... Why do I do that!!!!
Hopefully, this book will make you realize how YOU can make a difference and hope the people you fill will go on to fill others... paying it forward.
Read
June 5, 2013It certainly is an interesting read for those are looking for life metaphors. I am not sure about it yet, but my principal at school is having the staff read it this fall to bring more positivity to our work environment. I love my school so I am all for anything that makes people want to work there!
:)
How Full Is Your Buicket Positive Strategies for Work and Life
:)
How Full Is Your Buicket Positive Strategies for Work and Life
April 26, 2016
I gave this book 2 stars for general concept. I agree completely with the single page that explained the bucket and how it was to be filled.
The rest of the book, however, was nauseating. It should have literally come with a bucket.
The rest of the book, however, was nauseating. It should have literally come with a bucket.
March 6, 2017
This book was a great reminder that we all need more positivity in our lives. As a child, I feel that I was much better at filling other people's buckets and making them feel loved and appreciated, and it's something I have failed to do as consistently as an adult. There were some fascinating studies shared in the book that showed just how much of an impact positive feedback and validation can have on an individual. I left this book with a new resolve to be better at filling others' buckets and to be more careful that I am not unknowingly dipping from their bucket instead. This was a quick easy read, that I feel had a big impact – definitely worth reading. I also love that the whole book is based on the analogy that everyone has a bucket – and you are either filling or taking away from your bucket by the way you treat others. It's a simple but profound analogy that I enjoyed exploring
September 24, 2023
By what the stars say, it was a 2 stars for me. Just ok. This is how I have been my entire life. A people pleaser. And making sure you fill other people's buckets at work is way too much for some places of business. No matter what you do there, taking from your bucket to give to others is not a good thing to do. That's why we have so many people with burnout. That's why a lot of people are being accused of "not wanting to work". We just can't take from our buckets over and over and not get anything back. And if you live with or around energy vampires, well, that's bad as well. Of course, this book was published in 2004, so....take what you will from it.
April 6, 2018
It has been way too long since I finished a book and this one was only read because of work.
That being said having to read this for team building has been a very positive experience. I'm fascinated by the Strength Finder's material and love learning more about myself and those around me.
This book is largely a light dipping into cognitive therapy focused on the work environment. It's a short easy read. A lot of it is common sense but it is backed up by scientific studies without getting technical.
I personally do not like the bucket analogy and having to use it at work is starting to dip from me but the premise of gauging positivity and encouraging positive reinforcement in the workplace has been a very uplifting thing.
This book also came with a strengthfinder's code which was a nice unexpected bonus.
That being said having to read this for team building has been a very positive experience. I'm fascinated by the Strength Finder's material and love learning more about myself and those around me.
This book is largely a light dipping into cognitive therapy focused on the work environment. It's a short easy read. A lot of it is common sense but it is backed up by scientific studies without getting technical.
I personally do not like the bucket analogy and having to use it at work is starting to dip from me but the premise of gauging positivity and encouraging positive reinforcement in the workplace has been a very uplifting thing.
This book also came with a strengthfinder's code which was a nice unexpected bonus.
May 22, 2019
The book that I read is How Full Is Your Bucket? Written by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton.The authors explain that everyone has an “invisible bucket”, this bucket is constantly being filled up with positivity or negativity depending on our interactions with others that shape us. We can either fill one another’s buckets, or we can dip from them. It’s an important choice that influences our relationships, productivity, health, and happiness. This book provides very useful information that could lead to a happier life, it shows examples and scientifically proven facts about positive/negative environments and relationships. This book makes me feel inspired and motivated to change the way I live to boost happiness in my day to day life. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their life or have a better outlook on relationships. The authors suspect that if you engaged in “daily bucket filling” you will have more friends, you’ll enjoy closer relationships with your family and friends, you’ll be healthier, happier, and well on your way to a longer life. This book is very meaningful and exciting to learn about, there was not a page that I wasn’t excited to read.
June 9, 2023
I enjoyed the ideas in this book, but I didn't really find anything profound in it. Also, I used the code in the book to take the StrengthsFinder Quiz, but wasn't able to access all of my results without paying an additional fee. I already paid for the book! So that left me with a bit of a sour sense as the book talked up the survey and how it could help to implement the book's ideas, but then it just seemed like more of a money-making scheme. I'll take the good ideas for what they were, but I probably won't seek out the other books in this series/collection.
December 14, 2020
A short, breezy book about making every interaction we have with one another "count" towards someone's bucket. Using the analogy of a bucket, the authors share the idea that everyone has an invisible bucket that others either pour into or they deplete. The idea is that when we have a full bucket, we perform better and live better lives. I read this for a professional development group and it is a good reminder that everyone benefits when we are positive and kind to one another.
December 28, 2021
אני נותנת לספר הזה 3 כוכבים כי אני חושבת שתוכנו חשוב, אבל למעשה הוא די אכזב אותי ומגיע לו יותר בכיוון של 2 כוכבים...
הספר מדבר על תיאוריית "הדלי המלא" שמבוססת מחקרים. אינטראקציות חיוביות עם הזולת "ממלאות את הדלי" שלנו ושלהם ומביאות לרווחה נפשית. אינטראקציות שליליות עושות ההפך. זו תמצית התיאוריה. האכזבה נובעת מכך שהספר קצרצר ממש, ולאחר שמנפים ממנו את כל ההקדמות, פתח הדבר, ההסברים והקשקושים, הקידום העצמי והקידום של מוצרים וספרים נלווים, נשארים כמעט עם כלום. יש הסבר של 5 עקרונות עיקריים בצורה ממש קצרה, כמה סיפורים אישיים ארוכים מידי ודי מיותרים, ואז שוב חזרה על 5 העקרונות רק עם הצעות ליישום בארגונים, גם בקצרה, אבל לפחות עם משהו יותר אופרטיבי. די התאכזבתי. ציפיתי להנחיות יותר רחבות כיצד ליישם את העקרונות בכל מעגלי החיים, הסברים יותר עמוקים מדוע וכיצד נוסחו העקרונות ולמה הם עובדים ואיך, כיצד לזהות דברים שמרוקנים את הדלי שלנו ודברים שממלאים את הדלי שלנו, בקיצור יותר עומק ותכל'ס. בפועל, התוכן הרלוונטי נמתח על פני ממש מעט עמודים. הרגשתי די מרומה.
אני לא מצטערת שקראתי את הספר מכיוון שהוא הביא לתשומת ליבי את התיאוריה (למרות שיש לי תחושה שכבר שמעתי עליה פעם), אבל אני מאוד מאוכזבת מכך שקניתי ספר שתוכנו הרלוונטי נכנס בכמה עמודים ספורים והקניה הרגישה מיותרת.
הספר מדבר על תיאוריית "הדלי המלא" שמבוססת מחקרים. אינטראקציות חיוביות עם הזולת "ממלאות את הדלי" שלנו ושלהם ומביאות לרווחה נפשית. אינטראקציות שליליות עושות ההפך. זו תמצית התיאוריה. האכזבה נובעת מכך שהספר קצרצר ממש, ולאחר שמנפים ממנו את כל ההקדמות, פתח הדבר, ההסברים והקשקושים, הקידום העצמי והקידום של מוצרים וספרים נלווים, נשארים כמעט עם כלום. יש הסבר של 5 עקרונות עיקריים בצורה ממש קצרה, כמה סיפורים אישיים ארוכים מידי ודי מיותרים, ואז שוב חזרה על 5 העקרונות רק עם הצעות ליישום בארגונים, גם בקצרה, אבל לפחות עם משהו יותר אופרטיבי. די התאכזבתי. ציפיתי להנחיות יותר רחבות כיצד ליישם את העקרונות בכל מעגלי החיים, הסברים יותר עמוקים מדוע וכיצד נוסחו העקרונות ולמה הם עובדים ואיך, כיצד לזהות דברים שמרוקנים את הדלי שלנו ודברים שממלאים את הדלי שלנו, בקיצור יותר עומק ותכל'ס. בפועל, התוכן הרלוונטי נמתח על פני ממש מעט עמודים. הרגשתי די מרומה.
אני לא מצטערת שקראתי את הספר מכיוון שהוא הביא לתשומת ליבי את התיאוריה (למרות שיש לי תחושה שכבר שמעתי עליה פעם), אבל אני מאוד מאוכזבת מכך שקניתי ספר שתוכנו הרלוונטי נכנס בכמה עמודים ספורים והקניה הרגישה מיותרת.
June 24, 2017
Great book. Short, simple analogy:
When you fill other's bucket, you fill yours too. When you drain other's bucket, you drain your too.
Simple to apply in your daily life and in your relationships.
Thanks Frank for this gift.
When you fill other's bucket, you fill yours too. When you drain other's bucket, you drain your too.
Simple to apply in your daily life and in your relationships.
Thanks Frank for this gift.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2019
I love this book. It's a very easy and quick read. I like the strategies they suggest and would like to try them.
January 11, 2022
2022 Huxley Public Library Dewey Decimal Challenge - Book #1 (158)
A concise book on the value of making positive interactions and doing what's right.
A concise book on the value of making positive interactions and doing what's right.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 805 reviews