THE QUICK GUIDE TO FILLING BUCKETS
We hear it all the time, “What comes around, goes around” or “An eye for an eye”. Unfortunately, we usually think of this negatively, but what is awesome is that these principles are universal. If you are mean to others, they will be mean back, but if you are nice to others, others will be nice to you. In the book, “How Full is Your Bucket”, they talk about the bucket and the dipper. Everyday, you have an empty bucket that you want to be full. When your bucket is full, you feel energized, positive, and excited for life! But, when it is empty, you feel negative, sad, and lazy. Throughout the day, it is your goal to fill your bucket, but also to use your dipper to fill other’s buckets as well!
Unfortunately, many of the times without realizing, we do the opposite. We use our dipper to take from other people’s buckets and fill our own. This can be in the form of having a bad attitude with somebody, yelling at a friend or family member, or something as simple as complaining around other people. On the mat, we have our own teaching philosophy called being a Good Finder and it works in any area of your life. Instead of criticizing, complaining, and being negative, we look for everything that is going right! This can be as simple as praising a new student for picking up their knee the right way when firing a kick. What is great though, is that you can be a Good Finder anywhere and everywhere! Whether you are at work, exercising in the gym, at school, or even at home with friends and family, you can always find a way to fill other people’s buckets! Regardless of what area you are focusing on, these are some quick and easy ways to be a Good Finder and fill other’s buckets, while filling your own.
1. Be grateful. Having an attitude of gratitude is the quickest way to make yourself and others happy! If you can find the little things that you appreciate about others, not only will you feel better about them, but they will appreciate you back! They say that the number one people leave their jobs is because they don’t feel appreciated.
2. Prevent Bucket Dipping. Put yourself to the test the next few days and pay attention to how you interact with others. Ask yourself in each interaction, are you adding or taking away from the other person’s bucket? Consider your most recent interactions. Have you poked fun at someone? Pointed out something that they are doing wrong? If so, try and push the “pause” button in your head next time.
3. Reverse the Golden Rule. When you are filling buckets, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” does not apply. Instead, we suggest, “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.” When it comes to making others feel appreciated and positive about themselves, it is never “one size fits all”. Individualization is key when it comes to making others feel good. What makes people unique is what will fill their bucket. What works for one person may not work for all.
Everyday, make it a priority to fill your own bucket and create an environment of positivity, energy, and excitement. In doing so, you will not only make your life feel better, but you positively impact everyone else around you as well. Be a Good Finder and go fill up those buckets!
“What’s wrong is always available. But so is what’s right.” –Tony Robbins
Respectfully,
Mr. Josh Sivel
Underground Martial Arts and Fitness Center
Self-Defense, Strength, and Success Instructor
2nd Degree Black Belt