Adrian Gonzalez

EDUC 6336: Administrative Practicum II

Dr. Virginia Leiker

March 20, 2022

 The Energy Bus

The Energy Bus, by Jon Gordon is an inspirational book about the power of positive

thinking and positive energy. This book is a fictional self-help book that follows a man named

George on the brink of losing everything, including his job and his marriage. After his car breaks

down, he must resort to taking the bus to work. It is on this “energy bus” where he meets Joy, the

enthusiastic, positive bus driver, as well as many other passengers who have been influenced by

Joy’s energy and learns 10 rules to living a more positive life. Although when George first gets

on the bus he is not interested in Joy’s infectious positive energy, much less learning the rules, he

does eventually begrudgingly agree to learning all about the rules on the energy bus. As George

slowly starts to let himself believe in these rules and starts to notice a change in his energy and

the effect that that change has on his own life, he becomes a believer in the rules, and is able to

completely turn his life around. The Energy Bus is a metaphor for the energy that connects

everyone around you, and the importance of surrounding yourself with positivity. Although

George is a businessman, the rules learned on The Energy Bus are rules that can easily be

applied to anyone, in any situation. The rules learned in this book are wonderful rules that any

school leaders can learn to either help improve school morale, or to ensure that school morale

remains high.

The first rule on the energy bus is “You’re the driver of your bus”. This rule implies that

you are in charge of your own life. The energy that you put out, is the energy that you will

receive back into your life. If you want your life to go in a different direction, then you must take

responsibility and be in control of your own “bus”. The best way to do this is by creating a

vision for your life. Create a vision of where you want your life to go. This rule is reminiscent of

the visions that schools create to help lead everyone in the right direction.
 The second rule on the energy bus is, “Desire, vision, and focus move your bus in the

right direction”. This rule is all about the focus that you place on attaining your visions. The way

you place focus on something is based on the energy that you put out in the universe. The more

focus that you place on something, the more it will show up in your life. The type of energy that

you focus on is the type of energy that you will receive back to you. This rule is especially

important this school year. Across the world, you will hear educators speak about how difficult

this school year is. More educators are quitting now than ever before. As educators it is

important that we surround ourselves with people that are focusing on the vision, instead of

complaining about all the obstacles that exist. I have been guilty of letting my energy be affected

by those around me who spend their time complaining. I have spent time searching for jobs

outside of education, more times that I care to admit this year, and if I stop to think about it, most

of those times have been after a day amongst others emitting negative energy by complaining

about how hard this job is this year. I allowed their energy to affect my focus on accomplishing

my vision for my students.

The best way for educators and school leaders to focus on moving their bus in the right

direction, is by following rule number 3, which is, “Fuel your ride with positive energy”. Once

you are filled with positive energy, then you can share that positive energy with those around

you. School leaders need to make sure that those around them can feel the positive energy that

they are radiating. One way to fill yourself up with positive energy is to focus on what you are

thankful for. By focusing on the positives in your life, you are in turn creating and emitting more

positive energy.

Rule number 4 is, “Invite people on your bus and share your vision for the road ahead”.

Surrounding yourself with positive people who share your vision for the future, is the best way to
accomplish your goals. When the school knows that vision, and knows what is expected,

productivity and positivity will increase. Of course, not everyone will want to get on your bus,

because not everyone is a positive person. Which is why rule numbers 5 and 6, “Don’t waste

your energy on those who don’t get on your bus” and “Post a sign that says NO ENERGY

VAMPIRES ALLOWED on your bus,” are so important. You must focus on the positive instead

of spending your energy on the negative. When school leaders have “energy vampires'' in their

school, they need to strive to understand where the negative energy is coming from, and if there

is a way to fix it. Hopefully a solution can be found, however if that is not the case, then it is

important that you radiate more positive energy than the negative energy that they are putting

out.

Rule 7 is “Enthusiasm attracts more passengers and energizes them during the ride”.

When someone is positive, enthusiastic, and excited about something, others can’t help but feel

that energy as well. Whenever we are around someone who is passionate, positive, and emitting

good energy, we instantly feel at ease, and feel like we can trust this person. However, whenever

we are around someone who is putting out bad energy, whether it is negativity, anger, or

suspicion, we are automatically on the defense, and feel like this person is not to be trusted.

Energy is contagious. It is up to you to choose what energy you want others to catch. Leaders

must be aware that they are the ones responsible for cultivating the workplace environment. The

energy that exists will be whatever energy they are putting into it. Positivity breeds positivity,

and good energy breeds good energy.

Rule 8 is “Love your passengers”. This rule may be the simplest, yet the most difficult.

This rule means that you need to let others know that you care about them as a person, and value

and respect the contributions that they give. All humans want and need to be appreciated,
whether they admit it or not. As teachers, we are taught about positive reinforcement. Students

need positive reinforcement to know that they are on the right track, and that you care about their

success. When students feel loved and appreciated, they want to learn and do their best for you.

This should not apply only to children, but to adults as well. Leaders need to make sure that they

are letting their employees know that they are doing a good job. Leaders need to provide them

with specific feedback and make them feel valued. Leaders also need to have empathy for their

teachers. By “loving their passengers” leaders will be able to bring out the best in them, which in

turn will have positive effects on every aspect of the job.

Rules 9 and 10 are “Drive with purpose”, and “Have fun and enjoy the ride”. When

people are working towards the same goal, with the same shared purpose then they are more

likely to work with enthusiasm and have fun while doing it.

The Energy Bus is a book that I read at just the right moment. In the book, Joy tells

George that everything happens for a reason. This school year has been the most difficult school

year that I have taught, and this book has helped me as a teacher by reminding me of my vision

and purpose of becoming a teacher, while renewing the energy and enthusiasm that I have been

missing lately. The Energy Bus has also given me new ideas to implement when I become a

leader myself. By following the Energy Bus Action Plan that is in the back of the book, I will be

able to invite others on my bus, and through a shared vision and focus, we will be able to

continue doing what is best for the students. I have always believed in the power of energy and

positive thinking, and this book is a wonderful reminder of just how powerful they are. This

book should be read by every teacher and school leader as a way to either guide them in the right

direction or renew their focus on why they became educators in the first place.
 References

Gordon, J. (2015). The energy bus: 10 rules to fuel your life, work, and team with positive
energy. Wiley.