The Charge Summary

In The Charge, Brendon Burchard argues that a fully engaged life rests on ten specific “charges,” or drives, that together produce what he calls the Charged Life. The book’s central framework organizes these into five internal and five external forces. The internal five are: a clear vision, a strong desire, focused attention, a habitual positive energy, and a sense of confidence through preparation. The external five are: a compelling “why” tied to service, an ability to connect and build community, a capacity to challenge oneself and others, an orientation toward contribution, and a commitment to consciousness or mindfulness. Burchard presents each as a trainable skill rather than a fixed trait. He illustrates them with composite stories of clients and seminar participants—figures like an overwhelmed entrepreneur or a disconnected parent—showing how neglecting one charge weakens the others. The book also introduces the “Charge Assessment,” a self-scoring tool readers use to rate themselves across the ten drives and identify their weakest link. A recurring argument is that motivation fails when people try to feel charged without first clarifying what they want and who they serve. Burchard contrasts “motivation” as a temporary mood with “charge” as a sustained pattern of thought, feeling, and action. He emphasizes small experiments: deliberately changing one daily habit, rehearsing gratitude, or asking deeper questions in conversation. The book’s tone is energetic and instructional, mixing research citations with coaching prompts. Its core claim is that the ten drives are interdependent, and that deliberately strengthening each one produces greater vitality, productivity, and connection. It is a prescriptive guide for readers seeking to move from passive inspiration to active engagement.