Each of us has an invisible bucket. It is constantly emptied or filled, depending on a number of factors...what others say or do to us; what we put into "it' each day or take out of "it" each day. When our bucket is full, we fill energized. But, when it is low or empty, we feel unmotivated. We can use our buckets to take from our own and fill our teammates buckets, by saying or doing things to increase their positive emotions or energy. By filling others' emotional buckets, we are also filling our own! But, when we take or dip from others, by being negative or energy vampires, we not only diminish others, but we also diminish ourselves. Every single drop in that bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. Every drop makes us stronger, gives us spirit, brings us together and helps us overcome negativity or adversity. That's why everytime someone dips from our bucket, it brings us down.
So...we face a choice every moment of every day: We can fill one anothers' buckets, or we can dip from them.
It's an important choice, one that profoundly influences our attitude, our spirit, our relationships and our success. But the choice is yours!
The lunch pail concept was originally developed by Bud Foster, the defensive coordinator for Virginia Tech. Pulling from his up-bringing in the coal mining areas of Illinois, coach Foster chose the lunch pail as a symbol of the blue collar work ethic of the Hokies football team. The pail features the word "WIN" on it, embodying the coach's approach to the game and to life...
W-I-N, stands for What's Important Now...to make a change; to influence; to use the moment to be better than you were before; to win at home, win at school, win in the community and win at life. To achieve greatness in all aspects of your life!
The lunch pail or bucket symbolizes our pride, our spirit, our dedication and commitment to excellence!
From "How Full is Your Bucket?", by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph. D.
