Book review: 5 Gears: How to be present and productive when there is never enough time

Most of us have used figures of speech derived from the experience of shifting the gears of a car or a bicycle. “On my way home from work I try to shift gears so I’m ready to interact with my family.” “While doing lunch with my co-workers I have to change gears and remember to have fun.”

The great new book by Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram (John Wiley and Sons, Inc.) takes this concept and turns it into a practical tool for those who want to be effective at managing their own lives, leading others and “getting on” well with people, in every sphere of life.

A summary of the five gears

1^st gear. Down time. This is how we recharge our batteries. “When you are not recharged or fully rested, it is almost impossible to be present with someone else, let alone add value to his or her life.” “…if you fix your charging issues, if you figure out what first gear feels like for you and discipline yourself to spend time there, more power will flow through you.” Charge up first, work and serve second.

2^nd gear. Connecting deeply with other people, usually one on one. “This is time geared toward relationship building without an agenda or pressure to be productive.” “2^nd gear is like giving a present to someone…” “You can’t fake connection. Inauthenticity leads to disconnection. Connection will happen if you will be present.”

3^rd gear. Social mode. You are fully present with people and are able to shift down into 2^nd gear or up into 4^th gear. Many of us resist 3^rd gear and in the process miss out on the chance to get to know and impact others. “There is a reason why companies spend resources doing social events. It is where business really happens – in the relationship.”

4^th gear. Multitasking mode. Working hard in various ways. Leaders typically spend 85% of their time in this gear. 4^th gear is important, but many of us spend way too much time in it, or even become addicted to it, checking our e-mail as soon as we get up in the morning and just before we go to bed at night. An overdose of 4^th gear can kill you.

5^th gear. Focus mode. You are task-centered, fully engaged and moving quickly. You are “in the zone.” Time flies. This doesn’t always mean you are in an office; you can do 5^th gear in a kitchen or under the hood of a car. 5^th gear is like overdrive, it takes less energy to produce quality work at high speeds.

Insightful observations

Introverts love their 1^st and 5^th gears. They have to force themselves to use their 3^rd gear.

Extroverts love their 3^rd and 4^th gears. They have to force themselves to use their 2^nd and 5^th gears.

Task oriented types must learn how to do 1^st gear, so they have something to give to others, and 3^rd gear, so that others will be interested in what they have to say.

Three ways to use this tool

(1) Get better at driving your life. Know your gears. Learn how to shift. Learn the value of each gear and the time and place to use it.

(2) Get better at interacting with others. The favorite gears of those closest to you may well be different from your own.

(3) Teach this material to your team or family, providing a common language for talking about your gears.

5 Gears is one of the most practical things I’ve read for a long time. I couldn’t recommend it more highly.