Jon Gordon

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL (ANS) -- Jon Gordon is a speaker, consultant and author of several books including the recently released The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to deal with Negativity at Work and the international best seller The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy which has captured the hearts of readers world-wide.

With his positive spirit and simple, transformative message, Jon empowers audiences and readers to live and work with more vision, positive energy and purpose—and cultivate positive work environments where individuals and teams create more success and enjoy the ride of their life.

The message in Jon’s books and speaking presentations is such that NFL coaches such as Jack Del Rio, the PGA Tour and the FBI have called on Jon to inspire and benefit their teams. Jon’s inspirational CD was also chosen by Hollywood Director Gary Marshall to be used in a scene with Felicity Huffman.

Jon and his books have been featured on CNN, NBC’s Today Show and in Forbes, Fast Company, O Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Clients such as The Jacksonville Jaguars, PGA Tour, Campbell’s, Northwestern Mutual, Publix Super Markets and JP Morgan Chase also call on Jon to get their team “on the bus” and moving in the right direction. Jon also impacts thousands of teachers and students each year through his work with schools, universities and non-profit organizations.

Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a masters in teaching from Emory University. When he’s not speaking to businesses or schools, you can find him playing lacrosse or basketball with his wife and two “high energy” children.

On top of that, he has a powerful testimony to share with the world.

Jon explained, “I grew up Jewish, in a Jewish, Italian family with a lot of food and a lot of guilt—a lot of wine and a lot of whining. At the age of 13 I had a crash course Bar mitzvah. We never went to temple or church but I always felt God's presence in my life. I would lie under the stars at night and knew there was so much more.

“After college until about 32 I was drawn to new age writers, Buddhism and quantum physics. I always saw the world in terms of energy. I never liked organized religion and never went to church. Never felt at home there. I thought Jesus was a great teacher and messenger and enlightened being.

“About seven years ago in the span of 6 months I lost my job, almost went bankrupt and my wife gave me an ultimatum. Change or the marriage was over. I went through a lot of challenges during this time and ultimately just fell on my knees and for the first time surrendered to God asking for help, knowing I couldn’t do it alone. I was at my breaking point. I call it my Jerry Maguire moment (from the movie).

“I was negative, miserable and a professional complainer. I wasn’t even close to being a Christian at this time, but looking back I realize this was the first step in God changing my heart and bringing me closer to Him. I asked God why I was so miserable and what my purpose was and amazingly God said to write and speak. About what, I had no idea. I just knew I wanted to live my purpose, make a difference, inspire myself and inspire others.”

He went on to say, “When I started writing and received an enthusiastic response to my first book Energy Addict, I thought I would be the next big thing in new age. I wanted to speak at all the spiritual non-Christian conferences and yet I was blocked every step of the way. God had other plans. My friend Daniel Decker started sending me scriptures. He gave me a few sermons from Erwin McManus and his words brought Jesus to life for me. My friend gave me a sermon from Rob Bell about Jesus as a Jewish Rabbi, titled Covered in Dust, and growing up Jewish this really, really spoke into my heart.

“I remember saying, ‘God if there is something to this Jesus and he is meant for me then show me the signs.’ Driving down the road to speak in Orlando a sign drew me to it like a Magnet, it said, Jesus is the answer. A few weeks later going to Orlando again, the same thing happened. It happened all the time. When I meditated I would see a glowing cross. Jewish kid from Long Island, New York was now seeing a Cross. Go figure.

“But I didn’t like the church. I didn’t like how they were so judgmental, unforgiving, hypocritical, etc. So I started to question all of it. I started to pray. I started listening to Erwin McManus’s weekly sermons via podcast. I connected with Ken Blanchard who had some thoughts for me and showed me what it was like to live and lead like Jesus. He had a pure heart, an amazing joyful presence. All signs pointed to Jesus.

“Then after a conversation I had with a Buddhist energy healer (not the usual way most people find Jesus) it all became clear to me and I walked out of his office committed to following Jesus. I was baptized on Palm Sunday, 2007. People think that only Christians can point you in the right direction but for me it was the fact that God used everyone in my life to show me the way. God brought me to my friend Daniel. He brought me to Erwin McManus. He brought me to Rob Bell. He brought me to the Buddhist energy healer. He brought me to Jesus. And now he is bringing me to those who are stuck and need God more than ever.”

He added, “I often get asked the difference between the new age view of Jesus and the biblical Jesus and I tell them this: New agers view Jesus as a great teacher and so if you were stuck in a pit, the new age Jesus would be at the top of the pit teaching you and instructing you on how to get out of it. The Jesus I follow actually comes into the pit with us and saves us. I don’t believe Jesus came to just teach us. I believe he also came to be with us, to die for us and to save us. And as someone who has written a lot about energy I can say that the ultimate energizer is living like Jesus and letting Jesus live through you.”

Cover of Jon Gordon's latest book

Danny Gans, Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year said, “The world would be a much better place if we all focused on being positive. Jon is ‘the Pastor of Positive Energy and I'm one of his believers.’”

Jon says that one of his favorite Bible verses is “Do everything without complaining or arguing...” -Philippians 2:14 (NIV)

Jon went on to suggest five things to do instead of complaining:

1. Practice Gratitude. Research shows that when we count three blessings a day, we get a measurable boost in happiness that uplifts and energizes us. It’s also physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. Two thoughts cannot occupy our mind at the same time. If you are focusing on gratitude, you can’t be negative. You can also energize and engage your coworkers by letting them know you are grateful for them and their work.

2. Praise Others. Instead of complaining about what others are doing wrong, start focusing on what they are doing right. Praise them and watch as they create more success as a result. Of course, point out their mistakes so they can learn and grow, but make sure you give three times as much praise as criticism.

3. Focus on Success. Start a success journal. Each night before you go to bed, write down the one great thing about your day. The one great conversation, accomplishment, or win that you are most proud of. Focus on your success, and you’ll look forward to creating more success tomorrow.

4. Let Go. Focus on the things that you have the power to change, and let go of the things that are beyond your control. You’ll be amazed that when you stop trying to control everything, it all somehow works out.

5. Pray and Meditate. Scientific research shows that these daily practices reduce stress; boost positive energy; and promote health, vitality, and longevity. When you are faced with the urge to complain or you are feeling stressed to the max, stop, be still, plug-in to the ultimate power, and recharge.

To learn more about his new book, published by Wiley, June 27, 2008, $19.95; cloth,) go to: www.jongordon.com/thenocomplainingrule.html

Dan Wooding, 67, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma of 44 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. danjuma1@aol.com.