Are You Fully Charged?

I recently read Are You Fully Charged?, the latest book by well-being expert Tom Rath. I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list! Tom has written six best-selling books related to different aspects of well-being, and this book is the perfect summary of what he has concluded matters most.

First of all, he believes that our well-being depends on small, daily actions. The choices we make moment to moment add up to important long-term outcomes. Second, there are three elements that play a critical role in helping us feel fully charged: meaning, interactions, and energy.

Pursuing meaning, rather than happiness, makes life worthwhile. You can create meaning in your life by looking for ways to make a difference in the world. How can you make a small, positive impact in the lives of your family members, friends, or colleagues? How does the work you do serve a purpose? How are you using your talents and experience to serve the needs of others?

Our relationships are based on a series of interactions. When these exchanges are positive, they boost our well-being. Choose to focus your conversations on what’s going right. Invest time in building close relationships. Spend your money on meaningful experiences with others. Help others succeed.

Finally, “put your health and energy ahead of all else”. You will only be able to make a difference in the lives of others and invest in relationships if you take care of yourself first. Making healthy choices is easier if you think about the short-term benefits. How will you feel after you eat that? Remind yourself that going to the gym this morning will boost your mood, your energy, and your productivity for the rest of the day. The same is true for getting enough sleep.

Rath has a talent for making cutting edge research accessible to everyone, thanks to his easy to read, easy to understand style. Are You Fully Charged? is full of tips for improving your well-being.

Want to energize your work and life? Get your copy now!