How Full is Your Bucket?

After watching in class the video of Tom Rath talking about his bucket and dipper metaphor, I learned a few strategies on how to maximize my own "bucket" and ultimately, be happier and more successful.

1. Prevent bucket dipping: To maximize the amount of positive energy in my metaphorical bucket, I must minimize "bucket dipping", or negativity in my life. Preventing others from dipping into my bucket cannot happen unless I stop dipping into my own and others' buckets first. I should actively and consciously throw away my negative comments and the negative energy will follow. I should not be afraid to avoid situations that I know will only result in a net loss.

2. Make best friends: Developing best-friend relationships on the job will make work a more positive experience and motivate me to be more productive. A mutually supportive, playfully competitive, and non-distracting friendship will add to my bucket overall. Working alongside someone I feel comfortable with and with similar interests will help me overcome any obstacles toward success.

3. Give unexpectedly: When I give to others, their enjoyment will add positive energy to my bucket. Giving unexpected gifts will increase the enjoyment for both the giver and the receiver. I always feel better doing something on my own terms, under no obligation, and when given something unexpectedly, no matter the size, I am always more grateful. Sometimes the intangible gift of trust or responsibility is the most cherished.

While I never before thought of measuring my day moment to moment, I have always regarded attitude as a leading factor of success. Particularly, possessing a positive attitude toward myself and toward others will inevitably drive me to the fulfillment of my goals. I think Rath's strategies are in accord with my existing framework for success and I will try my best to utilize them. Complying to the metaphor I see myself as a bucket filler but clearly that is not always the case. I avoid gossip and hurtful comments but there are other ways to be a bucket dipper, including being subconsciously negative or aloof. I know my positive-negative ratio is much lower than 5:1 with my family, and that's something I am working to improve on—though I don't necessarily agree with keeping tally on the good and bad. I'd just like to generally increase the amount of positivity I spread. Which, yes, does not align with the Measurable factor of S.M.A.R.T., but why should we contain something so significant and universal as home and workplace happiness into narrow units? I agree with Rath's methods and we have the same ends in mind as well, but his video did not make clear to me why we must conceptualize happiness and positivity into ratios and buckets. If we strip down the metaphorical and technical fluff we are left with simple and effective tactics to increase enjoyment of life, which I am all for.