I recently read a book called, How Full is your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton. It was a a quick, but worthwhile read. The basic premise of the book is that each of us has as an invisible bucket. It is emptied or filled by what others say and do to us. Likewise we empty or fill the invisible buckets of others.
We all know those people who leave us feeling drained and less happy after talking with them. They weigh us down with their problems, their negative outlook on life, or by criticizing us. Are you ever one of those people? Do you ever take from others' buckets instead of filling? On the other hand, we all know people we love being around because they make us feel good about ourselves and we leave them feeling like a million bucks. You can fill someone's bucket by giving a sincere compliment, friendly smile, a kind note. Chances are if you do something kind to someone they will feel so good they will want to pass on the kindness to someone else. It starts a chain reaction.
The book also lists some practical strategies for filling buckets. They are as follows:
1. Prevent bucket dipping - ask yourself whether you are adding to or taking from another bucket
2. Shine a light on what is right - don't focus on the negative, spend time, energy and attention of what is right
3. Make best friends - great relationships lead to increased satisfaction
4. Give unexpectedly - the gifts can be material, trust or respect, but given unexpectedly increases their bucket filling power
5. Reverse the Golden rule - "Do unto others as they would have you do unto them"
So make an effort to fill someone's bucket today!
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