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Book Review: The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon

Lynette ONeal

University of St. Thomas

EDUC 6331

Dr. A. Patrick Huff

April 26, 2017

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Book Review of The Energy Bus

Jon Gordon delivers an easy read with The Energy Bus. This book should be on the top

ten lists for education and business professionals and those individuals who want to motivate

themselves and their staffs. The Energy Bus is a fictional story about a man named George who

is experiencing hard times in his personal and professional life. George must learn to change his

mindset and outlook on life to change his life. Gordon delivers a tale of a mind who finds the

courage to try something new when he runs out of all other options.

George is introduced to Joy, the enthusiastic bus driver of the energy bus, when he is

forced to ride the bus after he wakes to find his car has a flat tire. George first embarks on his

journey to transform his life 10 days before he is scheduled to give a presentation for a product

launch that will determine if he will lose his job and possibly his marriage. George has to learn

about the power of positive energy and positive thoughts. The most poignant statement that runs

through the book is that we must Feed the positive dog. This statement refers to the challenge

George, like most others, has when faced with focusing on positivity or giving into negativity.

Ten rules were provided to help guide George to focusing on positive energy to feed the

positive dog. The ten rules are 1. You are the driver of your bus. This rule centers on each

individuals vision for their life and where it will go. Rule 2 is desire, vision, and focus moves

your bus in the right direction. This rule has to do with how we focus our lives to bring our

visions into reality. Rule 3 states, Fuel your ride with positive energy. The author encourages

us to fuel up daily with positive thoughts, cultivate positive feelings, and take positive actions

(p. 48) so that negative energy cannot expand and accumulate within us and slow us down.

The author continued with Rule 4: Invite people on your bus and share your vision for

the road ahead (p. 56). This rule reminds us that we cannot do things alone and that we should
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invite others to join us so that our positive energy can expand. Rule 5 states, Dont waste your

energy on those who dont get on your bus (p. 70). The author encourages us not to worry or

waste time on people who choose not to get on our bus. In Rule 6, the author suggests that you

should Post a sign that says no energy vampires allowed on your bus (p. 74). This rule is about

our need to have a supportive team around us and that we should not allow negative people or

energy to invade our personal space. The author suggests that negative people should be given a

chance to change and if they do not, we should not allow them in our space and have a plan of

action to deal with them.

Rule 7 says that enthusiasm attracts more passengers and energizes them during the ride.

Rule 8 states, Love your passengers (p. 114). With this rule, the author explains that love

means acknowledging, praising, and recognizing the work done by others. Rule 9 states, Drive

with purpose (p. 131). The author suggests that purpose is more than the one project we are

working on now, but the bigger purpose that we strive to fulfill daily. And, finally, Rule 10

encourages us to have fun and enjoy the ride. The author points out that we only have one live to

live and that we should live it to the fullest before arriving at our final destination. We should not

spend too much time stressing over meaningless things that prevent us from enjoying the ride of

our lives.

The Energy Bus is a book that I would highly recommend. For me, it was extremely

helpful when we began a new initiative on our campus. It helped to fuel my enthusiasm and

energy so that I could stay positive as we rolled out the new structure. The chapters were short

and this was definitely a book that can be read time and again whenever you need a refresher or

motivation.
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References

Gordon, J. (2007). The Energy Bus. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.