The Concept of “Bucket Filling”
Based on the Book “Have You Filled a Bucket” by Carol McCloud
Each of us owns an invisible bucket. It is constantly emptied or filled, depending on how positively we interact with the people around us. When our buckets are full, we feel great. When our bucket is empty, we do not feel so great.
When we fill other people’s buckets – by saying or doing things to increase their positive feelings – we also fill our own bucket. A full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. Each of us also has an invisible dipper. When we use that dipper to dip from others’ buckets – by saying or doing things that decrease others’ positive feelings – we also empty our own bucket. Sometimes our buckets are empty when we experience something unpleasant or we forget to be kind to others.
We face a choice every moment of the day: We can either be a bucket-filler, creating positive feelings that spread among the people we interact with during the day, or we can dip from other’s buckets. It’s an important choice – one that affects our relationships, work, health, and happiness.
At Wellington Elementary School we strive to create a climate where everyone is a bucket-filler, each and every day.
Choose kind. Be a bucket filler!