10 Rules for the “Ride of Your Life”

The Optimist Creed?

You’re the Driver of Your Bus The Energy Bus Rule #1 You’re the Driver of Your Bus Most important of the 10 rules. If you don’t take control of your bus, you can’t take it where you want to go. If you’re not the driver, then you will always be at the whim of everyone else’s travel plans. You can seek directions and advice along the way, but remember it’s your bus and your trip. Too often, people feel like they have no say where their bus is going or how it’s going to get there.

Remember…YOU drive the bus!

You’re the Driver of Your Bus (cont’d) The Energy Bus Rule #1 You’re the Driver of Your Bus (cont’d) As the driver, you can choose where you are going and the kind of ride it’s going to be. No one can choose your attitude but you. A smile changes the way you think and how you interact with others. The energy you fuel your ride with is entirely up to you. Every journey and ride begins with a desire to go somewhere and do something. If you have a desire then you also have the power to make it happen.

Where do you want to go?

Desire,Vision,and Focus Move Your Bus in the Right Direction The Energy Bus Rule #2 Desire,Vision,and Focus Move Your Bus in the Right Direction The more we focus on something, the more we think about something, the more it shows up in our lives. Start focusing your energy on your vision and what you want. The more you see it the more likely it will happen. If you build it in your mind, focus on seeing it, and take action, the success will come.

Choose Progress

Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy The Energy Bus Rule #3 Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy Desire, vision, and focus help you turn the bus in the right direction but positive energy is necessary to take you where you want to go. We must fuel up daily with positive thoughts, cultivate positive feelings, and take positive actions. Where there is a negative, there is always a positive. Where there is a dark cloud, there is always a sun shining behind it. Being grateful for your blessings is a powerful energy booster.

Event Perception Outcome (Positive Energy)

And we live longer, too!

Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision for the Road Ahead The Energy Bus Rule #4 Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision for the Road Ahead As a driver, you want to keep asking people to get on your bus. The worse they can do is say no. Important for people to build their team with positive people who support them in their endeavors. No better way to get people on your bus than telling them where you are going and asking them to get on. If you don’t clearly communicate your vision of the road ahead, no one will want to travel with you.

We’re in this thing together!

We’re all Optimist CEO’s Chief ENERGY Officers

Choose to be extraordinary!

Don’t Waste Your Energy on Those Who Don’t Get on Your Bus The Energy Bus Rule #5 Don’t Waste Your Energy on Those Who Don’t Get on Your Bus Don’t worry about the people who don’t get on your bus. Don’t waste your energy on them. Don’t try to make them get on. Your can’t drive anyone else’s bus. You can only drive YOUR bus. The more energy you spend worrying about the people who didn’t get on your bus, the less time you will have for the people on your bus. You need that energy to keep on asking new people to get on.

Thoughts on how to change it?

A bit of wisdom!

Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus The Energy Bus Rule #6 Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus To be successful, it is so important to surround yourself with a positive support team. Success in not created in a vacuum; the people we surround ourselves with have a big influence on the life and success we create. Energy vampires will suck the life out of you and your goals and vision if you let them.

Seriously…post a sign!

Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus (Cont’d) The Energy Bus #6 Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus (Cont’d) Do your best to any avoid negativity on your bus and this includes negative people. Your positive energy and vision must be greater than anyone’s and everyone’s negativity. Your certainty must be greater than everyone’s doubt.

Vampires SUCK!

Enthusiasm Attracts More Passengers and Energizes Them During the Ride The Energy Bus Rule #7 Enthusiasm Attracts More Passengers and Energizes Them During the Ride Effective drivers tap the power of their hearts by getting excited about being alive, by filling up with loads of positive energy, and by being optimistic about life. When you live and work with enthusiasm, people are drawn to you like moths to a light. When you are enthusiastic, you project an energy that convinces people to get on and stay on your bus.

And look at the sunny side!

The Energy Bus Rule #8 Love Your Passengers To tap the power of your heart and lead with positive, contagious energy, you must love your passengers. While enthusiasm gets people excited about being on your bus, love keeps them on the bus. Letting people share their gifts and strengths is real love. Allow your passengers to do what they do best. By bringing out the best in others, you bring out the best in yourself.

Where’s the LOVE?

Five Ways to Love Your Passengers The Energy Bus Rule #8 Five Ways to Love Your Passengers Make time for Them. Listen to Them. Recognize Them. Serve Them. Bring Out the Best in Them.

The Energy Bus Rule #9 Drive With Purpose Purpose is the ultimate fuel for our journey through life. By fueling up with purpose, you find the excitement in the mundane, the passion in the everyday, and the extraordinary in the ordinary. Need to communicate your vision and purpose with your passengers. Shared purpose keeps a team energized and together.

It’s about WHY?

Have you taken a risk lately?

“Be Fearless” Campaign (The Case Foundation) Make Big Bets and Make History Set audacious, not incremental goals! Experiment Early & Often Don’t be afraid to go first! Make Failure Matter Failure teaches. Learn from it. Fail forward! Reach Beyond Your Bubble It’s comfortable to go it alone, but innovation happens at intersections! Let Urgency Conquer Fear Don’t overthink and overanalyze. Just do it… “Right Here. Right Now”

What’s Your BHAG?

But…it’s okay to have smaller goals, too!

Do You Believe?

Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride The Energy Bus Rule #10 Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride The goal in life is to live young, have fun, and arrive at your final destination as late as possible, with a smile on your face. Best legacy you can leave is to know the world has been impacted and touched by your presence, your joy, and your positive actions. We only get one ride so we might as well enjoy it to the max.

Are YOU on the bus?