The Energy Bus Summary And 10 Key Learnings

This article contains The Energy Bus summary and the ten secrets for tackling work and life with an optimistic, proactive mindset that will help you succeed professionally and personally.

Is The Energy Bus A Good Book?

Yes. This book presents universal concepts as fables while providing helpful advice. Even though the moral of the fable isn’t particularly profound, you have to give the author credit for the sound advice he offered.

The Energy Bus Summary

This fable centers around “Negative George.” His week began on a terrible note on Monday morning. He had a flat tire, and the spare tire was also flat. He needed to get to the office on time for a critical meeting with his team about the launch of a new product.

At the office, things had been particularly rough recently. To put it bluntly, George was on his way out the door if his subsequent presentation to upper management fell flat. George’s superiors had been having doubts about his reliability for some time.

Also, George’s marriage was in trouble, which added to his distraction. His lack of optimism and positivity drove his wife crazy, and she threatened divorce unless he corrected his behavior.

George asked his wife to take him to work, but she told him to take the bus instead. Even though George didn’t like riding the bus, he had no choice.

At the stop, George boarded bus No. 11. The bus driver, a cheerful woman, greeted him with so much enthusiasm that it made George cringe. The bus driver was quick to pick up on the pessimistic vibe that George was giving out. “This bus isn’t like the others. You’re going to have a great time on this trip,” she said to George. She introduced herself as Joy.

The Energy Bus

Her bus (which she affectionately called the “Energy Bus”) was one-of-a-kind. So was Joy. She was a very wise, intelligent, funny, and insightful bus driver who had made it her life’s work to lift the spirits of her passengers.

Joy recognized George’s downcast demeanor, and she was determined to help him. Joy had already helped many passengers in a similar situation to George. She was sure she could accomplish this feat with the support of her devoted followers: the individuals who took her bus daily.

George’s flat tire was just the beginning. His mechanic discovered that his brakes were completely worn down, and he would have to wait 10 working days before getting his car back. Once again, he had no choice but to take the bus instead.

It would be a good opportunity for Joy to teach George the 10 rules she has developed. Joy explained to George that he had ten days to follow the ten rules that would transform his life, and George decided to give it a try. After, if you keep an open mind, fantastic opportunities will come your way.

His mental and emotional state improved significantly due to his learning about these ten rules throughout his two weeks of commuting. George put the rules into practice and discovered how to replace negativity with optimism. He was lacking in energy and was bad-mannered. But thanks to these new rules, George made a fantastic presentation, saved his marriage, and kept his job.

What Are The Rules in The Energy Bus?

There are 10 rules in The Energy Bus book. You can read the summarized lessons below.

1. You’re the Driver of Your Bus

No matter your circumstances, you are in charge of your own life, and you are, after all, your bus driver. It would be best if you took responsibility for your existence and proactively constructed the life of your dreams.

Many people feel their lives are controlled by outside forces, not them. It can be hard to focus on goals when you don’t feel like you have a choice. Think about what you want and where you want to go. You have to have a vision. Establish your long-range perspective by answering three questions:

• What are my ambitions and aspirations for my life?
• What do I hope to accomplish with the job that I do?
• What do I want my future relationships with my family to look like?

2. Desire, Vision, and Focus Move Your Bus in the Right Direction

You’ve got to stay focused to get successful. Take ten minutes daily to ponder your vision and visualize how you’ll achieve it. If you want your team members to buy into your idea, you need to ask them what they think.

Brainstorm and document your team’s aspirations and objectives. Create a plan outlining the specific actions you and the other team members need to do to achieve these goals. The next stage is to put your dreams on paper and then distribute them to all team members so that everyone can work together to achieve their objectives.

3. Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy

It’s basic science – the universe is made of energy and can be found anywhere and in any object. When you surround yourself with positive individuals, your inner energy will grow. But when you’re among negative ones, your inner energy will dwindle. If someone drains your energy, avoid engaging with them.

Take charge of your life and put your inner energy to work for you by visualizing and creating the life you want. Leave the negative thoughts behind and focus on your goals and aspirations instead.

To manage your team, find ways to inspire your team members to do their best work every day. Make sure there are systems in place that foster, grow, and maintain “a culture of positive energy.”

4. Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision for the Road Ahead

Driving an empty bus is a pointless exercise. The more people join your ride for the journey, the better it will be. They’ll bring with them extra levels of passion and enthusiasm to make it fun.

The best kind of bus is a wholly packed one. Before driving your Energy Bus:

1. Check to see that all your teammates are on board.
2. Tell your group your vision or where your Energy Bus is going.
3. Extend an invitation for your team to board it.

Combining “your vision and mission” can help teams create a more compelling and impactful vision statement. Do it in writing and give copies to everyone on your team. Ask everyone to reread the vision statement daily and take 10 minutes to picture the group reaching that goal.

5. Don’t Waste Your Energy on Those Who Don’t Get on Your Bus

You should try to fill up your Energy Bus, but if some people refuse to ride, don’t stress about it. If you spend too much time fretting over those who didn’t get on the bus with you, you’ll have less to give to those who did. It would be best if you always stayed focused on what will have the most impact.

No one understands this better than salespeople. They don’t want to get hung up on the people they can’t sell to. If a potential customer shoots them down, they’ll go and find someone else to sell to instead. Use this same attitude when it comes to passengers on your Energy Bus.

6. Post a Sign that Says’ No Energy Vampires Allowed’ on Your Bus

Some folks shouldn’t be allowed on your bus. You should never offer these negative types tickets to ride with you. That’s because they will say and do things to make the ride unpleasant for everyone else and sap the energy from you and the other people on your trip.

Protect your team from energy vampires by talking to hostile members of your team directly. Seek clarification as to the cause of their negative outlook and disposition. Please encourage them to set aside their negative attitudes and find a way to reconnect with the team constructively and productively.

Cast aside those who aren’t willing to change along the way, or they’ll spoil it for everyone else. Removing potential energy drains is only half the battle; you also need to ensure the people on board will help meet your objectives.

7. Enthusiasm Attracts More Passengers and Energizes Them During the Ride

Be a CEO or Chief Energy Officer of your life and your team. This person is overflowing with a positive, powerful, and contagious energy that they spread to many people.

Share your positive energy. People want to work with people who are a pleasure to be around. Having this good reputation will open more doors in the future and make it easier for you to get things done. Because of this, you will be the most compelling person in your company. An upbeat attitude like yours might inspire others.

8. Love Your Passengers

Get in the habit of becoming a “Love Magnet,” and you’ll find that your life will improve in many ways. Invest your affection in your family, friends, coworkers, and business. It might sound cheesy to you or inappropriate for the workplace, but everyone wants love. Show all your employees that you care about them, and they will be more productive.

Here are some questions you should ask yourself and your team as a way of implementing this rule:

1. How can I show my team members how much I appreciate them?
2. How can I best spend quality time with them while contributing to their development as individuals and as a group?
3. What can I do to help them feel like their best selves?

Put this five-step strategy into motion once you’ve figured out the answers to the above questions:

1. Make sure you have time for them
2. Make sure you listen to them
3. Make sure you give them the recognition they deserve
4. Serve them
5. Find ways to bring out the best in them.

9. Drive With Purpose

Your purpose is the fuel that can keep your Energy Bus going all the time. When you have a strong sense of purpose, your engine stays clean and strong. This means you won’t get tired or bored with your work. You will always have a full energy tank to keep going and achieve your goals.

People often feel a sense of relaxation when they finish short-term objectives. But if your long-term goal is not just a stepping stone but something you constantly work towards, you will never burn out. Purpose can make all the difference in how your life unfolds, keeping you energized and moving steadily ahead.

10. Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride

One ride on a bus is all you get in this life. Have fun and appreciate each moment. Researchers surveyed people aged 95 about the one thing they would do differently if they could change anything about their past. They almost all gave the same three responses:

• They would make more effort to reflect on their lives and seek out more joyful experiences.
• They would be more willing to take chances or risks.
• They would try to leave their mark on the world in some way.

Knowing this, constantly assess yourself and your team members:

• How can we ensure we are as successful and fun as possible?
• How can we make our working life more enjoyable?

Follow The Energy Bus Action Plan

Here’s how to put the energy bus to work for you and your loved ones, your business, and your community:

• Create Your Vision. Setting goals is a meaningful way to look at the future.
• Fuel your vision with purpose. Think about how your goals will assist your team members in improving, benefit the community, and propel you to greater heights.
• Write down your vision/purpose statement. Put your thoughts on paper to share with everyone involved.
• Focus on your vision. Distribute copies of your vision to all team members as daily reminders.
• Zoom your focus. Outline the things your team must accomplish to fulfill its goal.
• Get on the bus. Figure out who can help you and ask those people to get on the bus with you.
• Fuel the ride with positive energy and enthusiasm. At work, you should replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Develop and employ methods that produce positive vibes.
• No Energy Vampires Allowed. Get rid of the Debbie Downers who won’t learn!
• Navigate adversity and potholes. Exploit misfortune as a springboard for success.
• Love your passengers. Think of ways to serve and love your fellow travelers.
• Have fun and enjoy the ride. This is your one big trip, so make the most of it.

I hope you enjoyed this summary of the Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. I hope you will embrace these 10 rules to fuel your life!