This is a follow-up post to my review of The Charge Course & Book from 2020 (and The 10 Human Drives).
Do you ever feel like you’re running on autopilot, coasting through life without that spark of excitement and fulfilment? Maybe you’re doing well by conventional standards—a successful career, nice home, stable relationships—but something feels off. There’s a restlessness, a sense that more is possible.
Brendon Burchard’s The Charge explores this very phenomenon. It’s not just about success—it’s about aliveness. And after reading it multiple times, I can confidently say that the message it delivers has the potential to recalibrate your life entirely.
The Three Lives We Lead
Brendon breaks down the human experience into three metaphorical lives—Caged, Comfortable, and Charged. It’s a simple framework, but within it lies the key to unlocking extraordinary growth.
1. The Caged Life – Trapped by the Past
Living a caged life means you’re tethered by past experiences or the expectations of others. Maybe you’ve followed the “right path”—pleased your parents, checked all the boxes—but there’s a nagging feeling of confinement. You’re “safe,” but in reality, that safety is an illusion built from fear.
I remember coaching a client, let’s call her Mariah, who exemplified this. On paper, her life looked good, but she lived in constant fear of disappointing others. Every decision was driven by external validation. Over time, this became suffocating. She wasn’t living her life—she was living someone else’s.
In the spirit of Berndon’s book, where he asks “charge points” which are open questions where you fill in the blanks, I will pose a charge point in each of these three sections. In the book, Brendon poses many more and they can affect your trajectory in life in profound ways.
Charge Point:
If I were to break free from the expectations of others, the first thing I would do is…
2. The Comfortable Life – Stuck in the Familiar
Most people graduate from the caged life to the comfortable life. You’ve achieved some degree of freedom, but instead of pushing further, you settle. You find solace in routine, but deep down, you wonder if this is all there is.
Comfort feels good until it doesn’t. That quiet voice starts asking bigger questions: Is this the life I wanted? Am I really living my fullest potential?
For many men in their 30s to 50s, this is where the crossroads appear. You’ve built a life, but now you crave challenge and meaning. The desire isn’t for more things—it’s for more life. Midlife crisis anyone?
Charge Point:
Two areas in my life where I feel stagnant and uninspired are…
3. The Charged Life – Fully Alive and Engaged
Here lies the goal. The charged life is magnetic. It’s not about achieving perfection—it’s about living with energy, purpose, and authenticity. When you’re charged, you welcome challenges, stay present, and find joy in the process. You design your future intentionally rather than letting life happen to you.
Charged individuals live in what psychologists call a state of flow. They’re energized by meaningful projects, constantly stretching their abilities, and fully immersed in personal growth.
Brendon’s book outlines ten human drives that fuel this state—Control, Competence, Congruence, Caring, Connection, Change, Challenge, Creative Expression, Contribution, and Consciousness. By activating these drives, you ignite the fire within.
Charge Point:
If I could embody more courage and take bold action in one area of my life, it would be…
Activating the Drives
One of the most powerful takeaways from The Charge is the concept of activators—small, tangible steps to spark each drive. For example:
- Control for New: Take a weekend trip every 90 days to disrupt routine.
- Competence: Master a new skill every quarter.
- Connection: Schedule weekly deep conversations with friends or mentors.
These micro-changes ripple through your life, creating exponential growth. And there are many more in the book.
Action Step – Your Gateway to the Charged Life
I invite you to reflect on the three lives. Which one are you living now? More importantly, which one do you want to live?
Here’s a simple challenge: Write down three things that would make you feel more alive right now. Is it pursuing a new hobby? Reigniting your relationship? Starting that side hustle you’ve been talking about for years?
The road to the charged life starts with intention. I’ve walked this path myself, and I can tell you—crossing that threshold is worth every ounce of effort.
And if you’re ready to dive deeper and craft a life that feels vibrant and electric, let’s have a conversation. Together, we can unlock that next level and chart the course for your most empowered self.
And if you’re not ready to chat, then please check out the book and I hope it helps you as much as it did me.
Life isn’t about getting by—it’s about getting charged.
