Five Buckets

In The Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett identifies five "buckets" that drive long-term success and fulfillment, drawing insights from his analysis of highly accomplished individuals he has met, including himself.

Here are the five buckets in the proper order and their interconnectedness:

1. Knowledge (what you know) – Continuous learning, beyond formal education, is the foundation of personal and professional growth. Investing in knowledge empowers you to make better decisions and seize opportunities.

   
   

2. Skills (what you can do) – Skills are applying knowledge in action. Developing and refining skills makes you more capable and valuable in any field. Combined, knowledge and skills make you professionally indispensable and enable internal growth. Steven emphasizes that these two buckets are the only ones that no professional adversity can ever take away.

   
   

3. Network (who you know) – Relationships are the gateway to opportunities, collaborations, and support. Surrounding yourself with the right people who have filled at least the first two buckets magnifies your potential and expands access to resources.

   
   

4. Resources (what you have) – With the first three buckets filled and continually nurtured, financial and material resources naturally accumulate. These resources become tools to execute your vision and unlock greater possibilities for success.

   
   

5. Reputation (what the world thinks of you) – Your reputation reflects how others perceive your integrity, reliability, and contributions. It shapes trust and opens doors to opportunities over the long term.

Bartlett stresses the importance of filling these buckets in the correct order. Start with knowledge and skills as they are within your control and form the foundation for lasting success. Once these are in place, a strong network, resources, and reputation will naturally follow.

Since December 2023, I've been captivated by The Diary of a CEO, which quickly became one of my favorite reads. Steven Bartlett’s “five buckets” framework profoundly impacted me, prompting a deep reflection on my priorities. To continue filling my first bucket, I enrolled in an EMBA program to deepen my business acumen, sharpen my leadership abilities, and enhance my strategic thinking skills. This book was the primary catalyst among a few that motivated me to share my reading notes on my website, and I will discuss my insights in future blogs. If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it—it might change how you approach life.

So, let me ask: Which bucket are you focusing on filling today?

Photo source: https://stevenbartlett.com/the-book