100 Notable Quotes from The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon

The Energy Bus is a transformative fable that tackles the daily grind of adversity by introducing a profound core philosophy: positive energy is the ultimate fuel for personal and professional success. The narrative teaches us that no one goes through life untested, but choosing optimism, purpose, and enthusiasm can help us overcome “Energy Vampires” and navigate life’s inevitable potholes. By taking the wheel and actively deciding the direction of our lives, we can transform negative situations into opportunities for profound growth.

Why Reading Quotes Matter

Jon Gordon’s writing shines through its “distilled wisdom”—the ability to compress expansive concepts of leadership, emotional intelligence, and peak performance into memorable, bite-sized aphorisms. Reading these isolated quotes allows you to mentally anchor yourself to his core principles instantly. They serve as rapid energetic resets, providing quick bursts of perspective that you can easily recall when faced with daily friction or stress. Read the full book summary here.

About the Author

Jon Gordon is a globally recognized author, speaker, and thought leader whose work centers on the transformative power of positive energy, leadership, and teamwork. With a profound impact across corporate boardrooms, professional sports locker rooms, and educational institutions, Gordon has dedicated his career to developing “Chief Energy Officers” who inspire and elevate those around them. Beyond his international bestseller The Energy Bus, he has authored numerous influential titles, including The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, and The Shark and the Goldfish. His unique storytelling approach translates complex emotional intelligence and peak performance science into accessible, actionable fables. By focusing on vision, enthusiasm, and shared purpose, Gordon provides leaders with the practical tools necessary to overcome negativity and cultivate a winning culture.

The 100 Quotes

1. “No one goes through life untested, and the answer to these tests is positive energy.”
2. “Positive people and positive teams produce positive results.”
3. “Everything happens for a reason.”
4. “Every problem has a gift for you in its hands.”
5. “Choose wisely.”
6. “Never turn your back on something that will change your life forever.”
7. “You’re the Driver of Your Bus.”
8. “If you don’t take responsibility for your life and control of your bus then you can’t take it where you want to go.”
9. “You can take the wheel and choose to create your life.”
10. “No one can choose your attitude but you.”
11. “A smile changes the way you feel, the way you think, and how you interact with others.”
12. “The energy you fuel the ride of your life with is entirely up to you.”
13. “The closer you get to truth, the simpler and more powerful the lessons become.”
14. “Every journey and ride begins with a desire to go somewhere.”
15. “Don’t let the world create you. You create your world.”
16. “The universe is made of energy.”
17. “Life is all about energy.”
18. “Our thoughts are powerful because they are loaded with energy.”
19. “Every crisis offers an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser.”
20. “Sometimes we have to see what we don’t want, to know what we do want.”
21. “Desire, Vision, and Focus Move Your Bus in the Right Direction.”
22. “What we think about, we attract.”
23. “What we think about expands and grows.”
24. “What we put our energy and attention on starts to show up more in our life.”
25. “The energy we project through our thoughts is the energy we receive.”
26. “When you complain you get more things to complain about.”
27. “We’re Winners, Not Whiners.”
28. “We live in an Energy Field of Dreams!”
29. “If you keep on thinking what you have been thinking you’ll keep on getting what you have been getting.”
30. “E + P = O.”
31. “We can’t control the events in our life but we can control how we perceive them.”
32. “Our perception and response to the events determine our outcome.”
33. “Positive energy and positive people create positive results.”
34. “Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy.”
35. “Positive energy is high octane fuel for the ride of your life.”
36. “Where there is a negative there is always a positive.”
37. “Where there is a dark cloud, there is always a sun shining behind it.”
38. “Feed the positive dog.”
39. “It’s physically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same moment.”
40. “Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision for the Road Ahead.”
41. “The worst they can say is no.”
42. “If you don’t ask they won’t know to get on.”
43. “The more people you pick up along the way the more energy you create during your ride.”
44. “You haven’t failed until you stop trying.”
45. “You will always be surrounded by negative people.”
46. “Self-doubt, fear, hopelessness, and negative energy drain you.”
47. “Don’t Waste Your Energy on Those Who Don’t Get on Your Bus.”
48. “You can’t drive anyone else’s bus. You can only drive your bus.”
49. “Everyone has to make their own choices and you have to make yours.”
50. “The more energy you spend worrying about the people who didn’t get on your bus, the less you will have for the people who are on your bus.”
51. “No one creates success in a vacuum.”
52. “The people we surround ourselves with have a big influence on the life and success we create.”
53. “Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus.”
54. “Your positive energy and vision must be greater than anyone’s and everyone’s negativity.”
55. “Your certainty must be greater than everyone’s doubt.”
56. “Positive energy is like muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets.”
57. “Repetition is the key and the more you focus on positive energy the more it becomes your natural state.”
58. “Find the value in this rock and you will find a priceless treasure inside yourself.”
59. “You can’t change the past. Let it go. Create the future.”
60. “The goal is not to be better than anyone else but rather be better than you were yesterday.”
61. “E-motion stands for energy in motion.”
62. “When you feel good everyone around you feels good.”
63. “The gift is your presence of feeling good and being happy and bringing this to others.”
64. “When you feel good you give from power.”
65. “God keeps breaking your heart until it opens.”
66. “Every struggle, every challenge, every adversity brings you closer to your heart.”
67. “Sometimes you got to be broken down to the point where you feel powerless to discover your ultimate and true power.”
68. “Energy is the currency of personal and professional success today.”
69. “A life touches a life that touches a life. It spreads, one person at a time.”
70. “Enthusiasm Attracts More Passengers and Energizes Them During the Ride.”
71. “Chief Energy Officers live and work with enthusiasm.”
72. “Enthusiasm comes from the Greek word entheos, which means ‘inspired’ or ‘filled with the divine.’”
73. “We convince by our presence.”
74. “When you live and work with enthusiasm people around you will beat to your frequency.”
75. “A positive company with a positive corporate culture will outperform their negative counterparts every time.”
76. “The signs of life always appear at the right time to guide us on our journey.”
77. “Love Your Passengers.”
78. “You’ve got to become a Love Magnet.”
79. “All any of us really want is to be loved.”
80. “Enthusiasm gets them excited about being on your bus, but love is what keeps them on the bus.”
81. “When you love someone you want the best for them.”
82. “Dust on gold doesn’t change the nature of gold. It’s still gold.”
83. “Inside every one of them is gold that wants to shine.”
84. “Letting people share their gifts and strengths is real love.”
85. “When you bring out the best in others you can’t help bringing out the best in yourself.”
86. “You can’t nurture business relationships sitting at your desk.”
87. “Your employees and customers just want to be heard.”
88. “The more you recognize them for doing things right the more they will do things right.”
89. “The higher you get in an organization the more it is your duty to serve the people below you.”
90. “They don’t call it ‘a leap of fear.’ They call it ‘a leap of faith’ for a reason.”
91. “Drive with Purpose.”
92. “Purpose is the ultimate fuel for our journey through life.”
93. “When you fuel up with purpose you find the excitement in the mundane.”
94. “Shared purpose keeps a team energized and together.”
95. “A little fear is good but it is weak energy.”
96. “Trust is the high octane fuel that will take your bus wherever it needs to go.”
97. “When you feel blessed you don’t have time to be stressed.”
98. “The goal in life is to live young, have fun, and arrive at your final destination as late as possible, with a smile on your face.”
99. “Every adversity helps us grow.”
100. “Negative events and people teach us what we don’t want so we can focus our energy on what we do want.”

3 Most Important Quotes Explained

• “You’re the Driver of Your Bus.” This quote anchors the entire philosophy of the book by demanding total personal accountability. It reminds us that we are not passive victims of circumstance; instead, we hold the ultimate power to dictate our life’s direction and choose our own attitude.
• “E + P = O” (Events + Perception = Outcome). This equation breaks down the mechanics of a positive mindset. It illustrates that while we cannot prevent negative events like a flat tire or a difficult coworker, our perception and response to these events are entirely within our control, and they ultimately determine our success.
• “Your positive energy and vision must be greater than anyone’s and everyone’s negativity.” This quote serves as a vital shield against the “Energy Vampires” that exist in every organization. It emphasizes that to be an effective leader, your internal certainty and optimism must be strong enough to overpower external doubts and sabotage.

Conclusion

Applying these insights today requires a daily, active commitment to cultivating the right mindset. It starts with feeding the “positive dog” inside you, letting go of complaints that drain your potential, and serving the people on your team with genuine love and enthusiasm. By embracing your role as the driver and fueling your ride with shared purpose, you can navigate life’s inevitable potholes and build a legacy of contagious optimism.

Now, it is your turn to take the wheel. Which of these 100 quotes resonated with you the most, and how will you use it to transform your ride today?