Tom Rath is Fully Charged

by Andrea Goeglein

Tom Rath’s new book has me fully charged.  Before I tell you why, I want to thank – again – Ben Dean of Mentor Coach for the outstanding educational platform he has developed.  I bought Fully Charged because I received a notice that Ben was doing an interview with Tom.  If you want to see why I am so excited, take a listen for yourself. I bought the book in Kindle with the Whispersync feature.  I know I will be getting a print copy also.  This book is an incredible resource for anyone who cares about living their best life, performing at your highest in every arena of your life, and especially for those who help others succeed in life in the same way.

Dr. Success Challenge:  Think of the best excuse you have for not taking better physical, mental or spiritual care of yourself.  Now make a list of all the people who love you who would have a broken heart if you ended up not being well.

Why do I like this book so much?  Tom Rath probably has the longest history in the application,  study, and development of all things positive about developmental psychology.  He was born into a ‘strengths’ pedigree that includes the Gallup Organization.  He grew up with adults who continually looked to see what he did well.  Now do not snub your nose that he had all this positive psychology privilege.  He was also born with a rare – one in 4 million rare – genetic defect that causes his body to produce cancer tumors.  He began his annual  fight against cancer tumors when he was 16.  There is no cure yet he lives a full life that helps change the lives of millions.  For me, he represents the promise of the application of positive psychology.

My snarky New York attitude just keeps saying:  If he can do it, apply it and love his life what the heck are you waiting for.  (Those of you who know me know I don’t say ‘heck’.)  As I read and listened to his book – filled with enough research facts to prove any point you would like to make about why and how positive health, positive mental framing, positive human connections and positive life work with meaning makes your life – I knew I was learning, yet again, that we can all transform our lives if we are willing to apply ourselves.

And here is the best part.  During the interview with Ben Dean, Tom uses himself as an example of why doing good for others helps you do good for yourself.  Tom shared that no one knows better than he the impact positive eating has on his health.  Yet when faced with a great high fat meal and sugary donut he indulged to the max.  Hours later when his daughter asked him to take her out to play, Tom had enough strength to lay on the couch, but not enough stamina to play.  His personal health concerns were not enough to stop his indulgence, but the love for his daughter and the time he can be her, is.  The benefit of a moment by moment experience that impacts others is a better motivator than the fear of another medical result for yourself that is six months away.

When you know better, you do better.  That is something we can all learn to do more of!