The Charge
Activating the 10 Human Drives That Make You Feel Alive
Brendon Burchard
20120515
About This Book
In The Charge, Brendon argues that the only way to measurably improve the quality of your life is to learn how to activate the very 10 drives that make you most human. These drives are your desires for more control, competence, congruence, caring, connection, change, challenge, creative expression, contribution, and consciousness. These drives shape everything you think, feel, and do in life, so understanding and mastering them is critical to your success and happiness. Strategically activating these drives on a consistent basis is the fastest path to living a fully charged life.
A Charged Life is a consciously designed existence that feels evenly engaged, energized, and enthusiastic.
The seven most common attributes of Chargers:
- Chargers are open and observant in the moment.
- Chargers are future oriented.
- Chargers are challenge seekers.
- Chargers are deeply interested in, and authentically connect with, others.
- Chargers are self-reliant.
- Chargers are creatively driven.
- Chargers are meaning makers.
The Five Baseline Drives
1. Control
Activator #1: Control Your Outlook and Character
Activator #2: Control for New
Activator #3: Control Workflow
2. Competence
Activator #1: Assess and Direct Your Desire to Learn
Activator #2: Set a Real Challenge, Plan for Success, and Get a Coach
Activator #3: Integrate Successes into Your Identity
3. Congruence
Activator #1: Set New Standards for Yourself
Activator #2: Set Your Mood Meter
Activator #3: Keep Your Word and Follow Through
4. Caring
Activator #1: Care for Thyself
Activator #2: Be More Vulnerable and Allow Others to Care for You
Activator #3: Be More Present, Interested, and Attentive to Others
5. Connection
Activator #1: Define and Design Your Ideal Relationships
Activator #2: Practice Positive Projection
Activator #3: Find and Cultivate “Growth Friends”
The Five Forward Drives
6. Change
Activator #1: Make Change About the Gains, Not the Losses
Activator #2: Get Clarity, Think Big, and Be Bold
Activator #3: Make Real Choices
7. Challenge
Activator #1: Choose Fulfilling Challenges
Activator #2: Focus on the Journey and Don’t Fear Rejection
Activator #3: Set Monthly Thirty-Day Challenges
8. Creative Expression
Activator #1: Amplify Creative Expression in All Areas of Your Life
Activator #2: Study People and Design
Activator #3: Create More, Share More
9. Contribution
Activator #1: Give of Yourself (and Give Yourself Credit While You’re at It)
Activator #2: Give to (Deeply Meaningful Contribution Experiences)
Activator #3: Mentor, Mentor, Mentor
10. Consciousness
Activator #1: Focus Your Consciousness
Activator #2: Transcend Consciousness
Activator #3: Live in Wonder