Are You Fully Charged?: The 3 Keys to Energizing Your Work and Life

Humans need to be re-charged as do the marvelous electronic devices on which many of us now depend. In fact, an abundance of recent and extensive research by Anders Ericsson and his associates at Florida State University (among others) indicates that -- on average -- peak performers require at least eight hours of rest (including sleep) and that is true of athletes as well as of performing artists. With rare exception, they must also commit at least 10,000 hours of highly disciplined practice under strict, expert supervision.

In his latest book, Tom Rath identifies three "keys" that can help almost anyone to re-energize both their attitude and their effort: They believe they are doing something that will benefit others, they are creating many more positive rather than negative moments (for others as well as for themselves), and they are making choices that can help to improve their mental, emotional, and spiritual as well as physical health.

In this context, I am reminded of an incident that occurred long ago after Ralph Waldo Emerson explained transcendentalism to those who filled a church in Concord, Massachusetts. He had agreed to answer a few questions. An elderly farmer, hat in hand, stood up. "Mr. Emerson, I have a question." Emerson smiled. "Sir, how do you transcend an empty stomach?"

I agree with Rath that, with all due respect to the importance of rigorous and sufficient practice and of rising above trivial and temporary irritations, we must also replenish our sources of energy in terms of rest, as mentioned, but also nutrition and physical exercise. Most important of all, we must develop the right mindset.

In Part I, for example, Rath suggests HOW to (a) create meaning with small wins by abandoning the relentless pursuit of "happiness," (b) get a charge from within by pursuing "life, liberty, and meaningfulness," (c) make work a purpose, not just a place, (d) avoid upward comparison by preventing money from killing meaning and purpose, (e) "double down on your talents," leveraging them now, and serving wherever and whenever you and your talents are needed, (f) cast a shadow rather than existing in one by converting your dream into a job, (g) put purpose before business by focusing on less to achieve more, and (h) use purpose to avoid stagnation and decay. He also includes specific "Ideas for Action" on Page 160.

o The Three Keys to a Full Charge (Pages 7-8)
o Abandon the Pursuit of Happiness (13-14)
o Get a Charge from Within (19-22)
o Go Beyond Engagement (29-30)
o Avoid Upward Comparison (33-34)
o Double Down on Your Talents (40-41)
o Craft Your Dream Into Your Job (48-50)
o Focus on Less to Do More (54-56)
o Since Pavlov's Bell (56-59)
o Keep Your Mission in Mind (64-67)
o Focus on the Frequency (75-77)

o At Least Pay Attention (82-83)
Note: Rath makes an excellent point: "Even when you can't say something nice, go ahead and say something. Contrary to what I as told growing up, negative comments are less harmful than ignoring someone...Even negative feedback is better than nothing at all."

o Use Questions to Spark Conversation (86-89)
o Want What You Already Have (94-95)
o Used Pro-Social Incentives (108-109)
o Develop the Ultimate Strength (115-116)
o Use Short-Term Thinking for Better Health (121-123)
o Set Better Defaults (129-130)
o Keep Sitting from Sapping Your Energy (134-136)
o Fight Light, Heat, and Noise (143-144)
o Avoid Secondhand Stress (147-149)
o Push "Pause" Before Responding (153-154)

Rath encourages those who read this book to embrace opportunities to establish habits that will nourish their mental, physical, and emotional health. That sounds easy, doesn't it? Well, having helped to pave several roads to hell with my good intentions, I have found it very difficult. Steven Wright once observed, "You can't have everything. Where would you put it?" That's true. However, most of us can have much better health than we have now.

Toward the end of his book, Rath suggests: "Start with work that creates meaning. Invest in each interaction to strengthen your relationships. Make sure you have the energy you need to do your best. Doing these three things, in combination, is the definition of being charged and adding a positive charge to those around you." Quite true. Energizing others - business associates, family members, neighbors, and friends -- will be one of the best ways to energize yourself.

I think this is the most important book Tom Rath has written (at least thus far) because, in my opinion, the material he provides will have greater practical value to more people if (HUGE "if") they read and then re-read Pages 3-161 with appropriate care before proceeding through Part A in the "Tools and Resources" section that follows. (Additional resources and PDF discussion guides for groups, teams, and organizations are available at tom.rath.org. Please take full advantage of the supplementary benefits they offer.) This book may well save your life. I am certain that it can at least make your life happier, healthier, and more productive. What are you waiting for?

As with many who have commented, I have followed Tom Rath's work since his first book. Are You Fully Charged is an incredibly practical and relevant compilation of his life passion supported by meaningful research. If you have one book to read, choose this one. It not only will make a difference in your life, but in the lives of those you share. I am a university professor in a Masters program that prepares graduates to work with people with significant challenges (chronic illness and disability) as they explore their strengths and opportunities to enhance their community inclusion. Our department will begin this semester to offer this book as a graduation gift to our students...we look forward to the ripple effect it will create.

Tom Rath's new book inspires readers to rethink how they live and work. The genius of this book is that it doesn't push readers into making radical changes that are unsustainable in the long term. Instead, it guides them in making slight shifts into how they uncover their purpose, interact with others, and make healthy decisions in their everyday lives. These small changes can make a big difference, and they ultimately add up to a more fulfilling life.

The book is filled with unique insights into how we can better work and interact with one another in the digital age. It artfully weaves research outcomes and the author's candid personal experiences in a highly readable, engaging narrative. The discussion questions make reading this book an interactive experience and challenge readers to consider how the content can improve their lives.

I loved every page. Tom Rath has a special message that everyone needs to read. He first describes how we hold the key to creating meaning in the work that we do, which can be a powerful motivator and source of energy. Next, he discusses the importance of and influence that close relationships have on us and encourages us to cultivate positive interactions on a daily basis. One of the most powerful parts of this discussion encourages us to appreciate what we already have, which means letting go of the endless pursuit of wanting more, and create positive experiences with those who mean the most to us. Finally, he artfully describes why taking care of ourselves should always be one of our top priorities. From getting plenty of sleep, to eating right, and regaining control of stress in our lives, Rath clearly outlines the benefits of creating a positive charge in life not only for yourself and those around you, but also for the work that you do both personally and professionally.

This book has truly transformed my life and the lives of those around me. By making simple changes, I have been able to increase my energy level and begin living a more fulfilling life. I finished this book over a weekend, a total of approximately 5 hours, so there is no excuse that you don't have enough time!

thought this book was really helpful as a manager and leader in a corporate office. It is helpful in understanding what really motivates people and gives them energy to be both productive and successful. In a lot of ways, you need to put yourself first, to be successful at work, as well as in your personal life. Knowing your passion and talent is critical, but more important you need to understand how you can productively apply your strengths and interests to ensure the work you do is meaningful to you and others. The key takeaways:

*your work needs to be meaningful
*work smarter, not harder (or longer)
*your interactions impact more people than you realize
*put your health first

Tom Rath provided a lot of insightful tips on making sure the work we do is meaningful to us, so that we can be driven by internal motivation. If we are not internally motivated, we often get burnt out and become less engaged. That is also why he stresses the importance of our interactions with other (i.e. developing relationships and connections), as well as putting our health first. Rath notes that people who have high energy levels are more than three times as likely to be engaged in their work. As a health and fitness advocate, eating healthy, getting active, avoiding stress, and getting enough sleep are essential to maintaining high energy. Employees must be able to maintain a healthy balance of meaningful work and healthy living, including maintaining relationships to sustain their energy levels.

Overall, Are You Fully Charged? Provided many helpful words of wisdom for new and seasoned leaders, as well as empowering individuals to ensure the work they do energizes them on a daily basis.

Are You Fully Charged? is a smart book, based on the latest research, rich with practical advice. There's no magic bullet here, but a wealth of information Tom Rath has synthesized in ways you can use everyday. Rath really does a fantastic job underscoring the importance of sleep and the evils of sitting for long stretches, but this is more than a book about improving your health. There is really powerful information about making the most of the small interactions that fill every day (and have a big effect on your sense of wellbeing) and also about the importance of pursuing meaning (as opposed to happiness). This book is a quick read but it will change the way you approach each day..

Thank you, Tom! I so appreciate you further elevating your brilliant writing combining your own life's story and journey with massive research on living life fully charged, regardless of what situation we might find ourselves in at any moment. You are an inspiration for all. I encourage all Tom Rath fans to share this book outside of our businesses for others in our circle of influence to be equally inspired and motivated.

Building on the incredibly helpful book Eat, Move, Sleep; Tom Rath does it again. This text consolidates research findings into three components of living life in a way that is fully charged. Just like we plug our phones in for a recharge, by attending to meaning, interactions, and energy we can plug in and recharge as well. Tom describes meaning as doing something that benefits another person interactions as creating far more positive than negative moments, and energy as making choices that improve your mental and physical health. We liked this book so much; we provided it to everyone in our firm. I had the privilege of completing graduate studies with Tom and continue to be impressed with the powerful tools he creates. Thanks for this practical, research based approach to staying fully charged.

This guy knows more about his subject than practically anybody around...I have three of his wonderful books, including this one. (I devoted an entire holiday e-card to another called "Eat, Move, Sleep,"--a real gem.)