Cambridge Business Association
The Energy Bus
Book

The Energy Bus

10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy

Jon Gordon
Wiley, 2007
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

Jon Gordon is a prolific motivational writer with a large, loyal readership. Like this one, his books offer practical advice and present universal themes in the form of fables. While the fable may be a little light, give Gordon high points for his advice. He provides 10 sensible, commonsense rules for approaching life with positive energy and ends with an action plan for putting them to use. getAbstract recommends this bestseller for its basic words of counsel, which will serve anyone seeking a more upbeat, optimistic and rewarding approach. It may not be ultra sophisticated or innovative, but it’s warm, sincere and helpful. As Gordon writes, “I have witnessed the amazing power of positive energy...deep down I know it matters and I know it works.” His rules will help you “cultivate positive energy in your own life.”

Summary

Respect and Disrespect

Gather a roomful of your colleagues and ask them to greet each other in the most disrespectful manner – to speak with no regard for anyone’s feelings. Let everyone react to this unfriendliness for a few minutes. Note the emotional temperature of the room. Now, ask everyone to greet each other again, but this time as if they were running into beloved friends, people they had not seen for many years. Notice how the room immediately fills with positive and happy vibes. Register the remarkable difference in energy, not only in the room, but also in yourself.

In the first scenario, vitality quickly drains out of the room. In the second scenario, everything changes. Positive energy infuses the room. You feel great being there, soaking up all the warmth and enthusiasm. So does everyone else. This little experiment demonstrates two irrefutable truths: Positive thinking energizes you and makes you happy. Negative thinking depletes energy and makes you unhappy. It’s as simple as that. Life requires positive energy, not just cheerleading. You can recognize this genuine force by looking for its signs: “optimism, trust, enthusiasm, love, purpose, joy” and...

About the Author

Jon Gordon also wrote The Carpenter, Training Camp, One Word That Will Change Your Life, The Positive Dog, The Seed, The Shark and the Goldfish, The No Complaining Rule and Soup.

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    R. T. 4 years ago
    I don't mean to sound like an energy vampire(!), but this particular book wasn't for me (despite the huge number of positive reviews on Amazon). It just lacks a scientific argument.