Fill The Bathtub

A quick metaphor about how we show up in our business, team, and family, and how it’s more than just producing.

There is an empty bathtub that needs water. You have to fill this bathtub and you have two buckets.
Bucket 1 is all the things that make you a good citizen and teammate. This bucket is full of things like helping others, putting the team first over what you want, being positive, caring for those around you. Essentially being the prototypical team player.
Bucket 2 is being productive. Getting things done and performing at a high level for your job. Whatever you have technically been asked to do or whatever is expected of you is getting done.
Many times, especially when we are busy or impatient, we want to fill the bathtub with the second bucket alone. We want to pour ourselves into our work in our own silo and produce. We feel the satisfaction of producing and it fuels us to show up and be more productive.
But, we cannot fill the bathtub with just the second bucket. We must use the first bucket and we must show up as a good teammate to others. We must look to help others, listen to others, and care about others’ needs.

Remember, you can’t just have the second bucket to be your best and make an impact.

*Taken from a talk by Chip Bowers at App State College of Business