Pete’s take…
The first time I read The Energy Bus was 10 years ago when it was originally published. In our home we like to keep good books on our bookshelf for a second or third re-read. The timing for me to re-read this book was perfect.
It was Fall which is marathon season.
This particular marathon season I was the support crew for my daughter-in-law Michelle in Montreal, my wife Cheryl in Chicago and then for my son Christian in Norton, Virginia. Norton is a beautiful little town in the mountains of western Virginia which hosts an ultra-marathon called the Cloudsplitter 100. The race is a 100-mile run/hike through the very rugged trails of the Appalachian Mountains.
A few months earlier, in a moment of excitement, I had agreed to be part of Christian’s support and pacing team. I thought it would be a nice way to spend a Saturday in the woods. Then I started finding out a little more about the race. The Cloudsplitter 100 is one of the most difficult races in the East with over 20,000 feet of elevation gain. Pacers can only pace their runners during the last 48 miles which happens to be in the dark. I also read that runners get lost in the woods during this race all the time.
I was starting to think that maybe I wasn’t the right guy for the job.
My eyesight at night has been getting worse with age and I even have some difficulty driving at night let alone running through the deep woods. I prefer running during the day as opposed to 2:00 AM when I’m almost always sound asleep.
To make matters worse, training for the few months prior to the race had been difficult as I’d been having back and knee problems. The last thing I wanted to do was hold Christian back and have him actually have to help me. It was his race and I was supposed to be helping him not the other way around. Fear was starting to set in.
I needed a serious dose of positive energy and confidence.
A few days before the race, I finished another book and grabbed The Energy Bus because it was the next one on my reading list. What perfect timing! This book written by Jon Gordon is simple and easy to read in a day or two. As I started to read it again, I realized that it was exactly what I needed before the big race. If I was going to ride Christian’s Energy Bus, I had better be a good passenger.
Running an ultra-marathon not only takes extraordinary physical strength but serious mental toughness as well in order to keep pounding out the miles. I truly admired Christian, and all the runners that day, for their determination and attitude. The Energy Bus helped me get my head on straight. It helped me focus on staying positive and fighting through the difficult times. Jon Gordon writes of the 10 simple rules for riding the Energy Bus. These rules helped me be the best support team member possible. I brought the book to the race and read it between seeing Christian at the different aide stations.
Because of the help from this book and the rest of the crew which included Michelle (daughter-in-law) and Nicholas (oldest son), it turned out to be one fantastic and memorable day. Even during my pacing segment in the middle of the night, my back and knee felt great and my vision was remarkably good. I think that all the positive energy from the Energy Bus, along with prayers along the way, had something to do with that.
I recommend reading the Energy Bus and practicing the 10 rules as much as I recommend having an exercise routine. You have to keep sharpening the saw!
Cheryl’s take…
Great story Pete and a good reminder of how helpful it can be to return to a memorable book for motivation and inspiration. And as you said, The Energy Bus is one that may warrant more than one or two re-reads. Or you can do what I did and print the 10 Rules as daily reminders of the importance of keeping your tank full with positive energy.
If you’ve never read a Jon Gordon book, you may think it’s a little on the corny side in the first chapter or two. But there’s something powerful in the simple way he delivers some very impactful messages. In fact, it moved me to immediate action. For a few weeks before reading the book, I had been grumping around about a running injury and generally spreading negative energy.
After reading the first chapter, I literally stopped.
The book takes you on a bus-ride through 10-rules that will help you cash in on the benefits of maintaining a positive focus in your life. Simple reminders like…
- You’re the driver of your bus.
- Desire, vision, and focus move your bus in the right direction.
- Fuel your ride with positive energy.
- Invite people on your bus and share your vision for the road ahead.
- Don’t waste your energy on those who don’t get on your bus.
- Post a sign that says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on your bus.
- Enthusiasm attracts more passengers and energizes them during the ride.
- Love your passengers.
- Drive with purpose.
- Have fun and enjoy the ride.
None of the rules are ground-breaking. We’ve all heard these many times before – just packaged up a little differently. But there was something about the corny story that did a great job of moving me to immediate action. If you’re looking for something a little different to get you through some difficult and/or negative times, this just may be the read you need.
And for all you leaders out there…
The lessons are delivered in the context of a story of a manager who’s team was falling apart and how he turned the bus around before it was too late. Whether your team’s bus is moving in the right or wrong direction, you may find some gold nuggets of advice.
Keep it close at hand for a quick refill anytime your positive energy runs low.
