How Full Is Your Bucket?

One positive act can make a difference.

In the insightful novel, How Full Is Your Bucket Tom Rath and Donald Clinton, Ph.D analyze positivity on an inspirational level. At the beginning of the novel, they ask the audience a penetrating question, “Can positivity have an even stronger impact than negativity?” This statement sets the theme for the entire book as the two provide practical advice and illuminating wisdom. Throughout the novel, they state that positivity creates an environment that in every circumstance amplifies individuals. In essence, this inquisition called for the explanation of the Theory of the Dipper in the Bucket. “Everyone has an invisible bucket. We are at our best when our buckets are overflowing-and at our worst when they are empty.” This analogy spoke to the audience as the bucket analogy reveals the importance of the invisible dipper. “Everyone also has an invisible dipper. In each interaction, we can use our dipper either to fill or to dip from others’ buckets.” This analogy in applicable to every situation in life. Every time someone or something has a negative persona, it ruins your day. Had those things been positive, would you have had a more of productive day? Yes. The “How Full is Your Bucket?” analogy can speak to anyone in any point in their lives. It seems to works like a charm.  Rath and Clinton allow you to examine your life and show you ways to eliminate negativity not only in your home, but also in the work place. To enforce positivity in your life, the authors explain the “ Magic Ratio,” which states that for every five positive interactions there should be one negative. By using this balanced ratio, logos are used to influence the reader to exploit these actions. From the “Magic Ratio” approximation, the reader is able to reflect upon their actions on a daily basis. The “Magic Ratio” concept can also be used to predict how long a marriage will last. For example, a group of referenced scientists did an experiment on engaged couples. By analyzing the couple’s conversations, the scientists were able to predict which marriages would last. To make the novel balanced, Rath and Clinton added evidence from both their own lives and the lives of normal business people.  It is clear that the icing on the cake was Rath’s inspiring story. At a very young age, he was diagnosed with a “genetic abnormality” which caused him to lose the eye sight of his left eye. Rath’s compelling story was not that he was a successful writer who was blind in his left eye and multiple tumors in his body, but focused on his confidence,spirit  and positivity that he exemplified throughout his life. The novel is far beyond stating the obvious that positively is better than negativity, but rather the journey where life will take you when positivity is involved.