A “book report” by Allison Gale

How Full Is Your Bucket?Positive Strategies for Work and Lifeby Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. A “book report” by Allison Gale

A bucket, a dipper and the power of positive interactions.

Bucket? Dipper? The metaphor of a bucket and a dipper explains how our interactions with others either fill their buckets because of positive words or message or we drain their buckets through negative words or messages.

What is the book about? Most of psychology studies what is wrong with people. This book is about studying what is right with people and the power of positive emotions.

The Power of Negativity A study of North Korean prisoners during the Korean War showed that a majority of prisoners died from a disease of extreme hopelessness. The absence of motivation caused their deaths.

North Korean Strategy 1. Deny emotional support from interpersonal relationships Example: reward prisoners for tattling on others to break down camaraderie and cause distention among the ranks 2. Withhold all positive emotional support while submerging them in negative emotions Example: Soldiers were always give mail from home that included overdue bills, the death of a family member or a break up.

If negative emotions can kill you what can positive emotions do?

Each time we have a positive interaction with someone else their bucket is filled and so is ours. Each negative interaction dips from their bucket and ours. We have often thought that people who put others down do so to build themselves up. With this theory putting others down dips from both buckets and brings both people down. How to Fill Your Bucket

Ways to Fill Your Bucket and the Buckets of Those Around You

1. Must be authentic, sincere and tailored to individuals Example: A busy parent may enjoy the afternoon off with tickets to a kids movie, a new employee may enjoy being able to attend a professional conference 2. One size fits all isn't as effective- it is seen as generic and thoughtless Recognition and Praise in the Workplace

I Can Use This! 1. M&M Awards- A small note/certificate that lets someone know how they have been Marvelous and Magnificent stapled to a small bag of candy. This is a little generic but the note makes it tailored to the individual. These can be spontaneous and used with students or teachers. If there is someone who is on a diet or can't have sugar the note alone can help to fill their bucket. .

Another Way... 2.When I see a great lesson plan that uses the library resources I can send out an email (with permission of the teacher) with the lesson plan and kudos. This is a great pat on the back for the lesson plan writer and helps other teachers also.

Do employees like their jobs? 1. Liking your boss decreases your chances of heart disease and stroke. 2. Most employees have stayed in at least one job because they had a friend in the workplace. 3. When employees are happy workplace production is up and customer satisfaction is up.

I Can Use This Too! 2. This year I will have an assistant for the first time. Our positive relationship will benefit both of us health wise and prevent either one of us from leaving the position. 3. Most importantly if we have a positive working relationship our work productivity and our library patron satisfaction will be up.

Focus on the Positive Focus on the strengths, talents and jobs that are the best fit. This doesn't mean ignore the weakness and areas of improvement, just don't dwell them.

To Little? Too Much? 1. A ratio of 5 positive interactions to 1 negative interaction is best. Relationships that are a 1:1 are headed for disaster. 2. Interactions 13:1 are also bad. This “Pollyanna” effect is seen as fake and insincere

Not all people are created equal. Nature vs Nurture comes into play when considering someone's bucket. We have all met someone who is a ball of sunshine by nature, others of us have to work on it a little. Be flexible. Know who your homebase is and go there to recharge. Focus on your mental wellness, not your mental illnesses. People As Individuals

How Do You Want Your Bucket Filled http://strengths.gallup.com/115186/Full-Bucket-Resources.aspx This link takes you to an interview that can be used to find out how you can authentically fill individuals buckets. I think it would be interesting to do/share at an opening faculty meeting.

Get Started on Filling Your Bucket!

Stop the Negativity! 1. Like your mom said,if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything. 2. Remove your self from situations that dip into your bucket. For your school this might be the teacher's lounge or a particular teacher's classroom.

Domino Effect Elevate yourself and others by focusing on what is right not on what is wrong. Work with strengths, not weaknesses. Once a person begins feeling confident and positive in one area it will spill over into others.

Best Friends Socializing is important for your bucket. Spend time with friends, especially best friends. You will fill each others buckets which you can then take back to work and home and fill even more buckets.

Give!Give!Give! Give what you can when you can. Compliment, thank you note, copies of pictures, donate to charities, give a friend a call, lend an ear, lend a hand. A simple act of kindness may touch someone at a critical time in their life. Not only will you fill their bucket, you will fill your own.

The Golden Rule Do unto others as you would do unto yourself.

How about....... Do to yourself as you would do unto others? By sometimes putting yourself first and filling your own bucket you can help to fill others.

How do you fill buckets? http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/fullbucket Go to this link and tell us how you fill your own bucket and the buckets of other. You may some find some ideas on filling your own bucket.

Want to Share This Idea with Others? Read the kid's version with students or at a faculty meeting. Start a “drop in the bucket” program at your school.

Visit the Official Site to Learn More http://strengths.gallup.com/114079/Full-Bucket.aspx.

A “book report” by Allison Gale