What do motivational quotes, a movie script, and your job have in common? It actually could be much more than you think. At the surface, watching a movie is a great way to keep entertained for an afternoon. When you break down the actual script of a movie, however, you might find some hidden gems of wisdom that can be applied to any profession. Here, we have compiled a list of motivational movie quotes that translate just as well from the silver screen to a business meeting.
“Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life, but it ain’t how hard you can hit. It’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It’s how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.”
Source: Rocky, Rocky Balboa
Takeaway: Deals will fall through, sales will drop, and setbacks will arise. However, this is not an excuse to quit; the best leaders are the ones who will learn to roll with the punches in order to come out stronger the next time they are faced with a problem. And when all else fails, you can always rely on “Eye of the Tiger” for motivation.
“Calling someone stupid doesn’t make you any smarter. All you can do in life is solve the problem in front of you.”
Source: Cady Heron, Mean Girls
Takeaway: When miscommunications or disagreements arise, it is all too easy to pass the blame onto the other party. Regardless of whose fault it actually is, a good leader will take the initiative to find a solution that works for both parties.
“Worrying is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.”
Source: Van Wilder, Van Wilder
Takeaway: Worried about a presentation? Practice it over and over. Worried about your page ranking? Take the time to enhance your SEO strategy. Worrying won’t solve a problem, but being proactive will help prevent it.
“The key to this business is personal relationships.”
Source: Dicky Fox, Jerry McGuire
Takeaway: In fact, the key to most businesses is personal relationships. Creating a standout product is great, but having exceptional interpersonal skills and a solid customer service base is how to maintain repeat customers who will recommend you to their inner circle.
“Even a good decision if made for the wrong reasons can be a bad decision.”
Source: Governor Weatherby Swann, Pirates of the Caribbean
Takeaway: Business leaders should make it a priority to be guided by their morals, not their wallets. Regardless of how promising it might sound at the time, making a promise you cannot keep in order to close a deal will inevitably come back to bite you later on.
“You don’t have to be the bad guy. You are the most talented, most interesting, and most extraordinary person in the universe, and you are capable of amazing things.”
Source: Emmet, The Lego Movie
Takeaway: We see it all too often in movies – the crooked businessman, swindling clients, and mistreating employees. Taking on the “bad guy” role does far more harm than good, and this caricature of a businessman should never come to fruition in your own business. Using your leadership and skill set to motivate and put good out into the world will increase employee morale and boost your business’s reputation.
“Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it or learn from it.”
Source: Rafiki, The Lion King
Takeaway: Give it your all, stay positive, and grow from your mistakes. Treating your losses as a learning experience rather than as a failure serves as great motivation to do better next time.
“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”
Source: Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Takeaway: A business should run like a well-oiled machine, with each team member relying on the influence of each other to create a more cohesive work environment. Encouraging open discussions and team-building exercises will make your employees more creative, better motivated, and stronger communicators.
“Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”
Source: Dr. Emmett Brown, Back to the Future
Takeaway: Create your own path and find what sets your business apart from others. Following the roads paved by others is a great way to find the deadends your competitors have reached, but paving a path of your own gives you the freedom to take your business in any direction you choose.
“Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today.”
Source: Phil, Groundhog Day
Takeaway: All too often we push off our obligations until the mythical “tomorrow,” and when tomorrow comes and we are bogged down with more work than we can handle. Treating every project like it can’t be worked on tomorrow is a great way to stay on top of your work and prevent stress from building later on.
“Don’t dream it, be it!”
Source: Dr. Frank-N-Furter, The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Takeaway: Who really needs limits, anyway? There is no goal too wild and no expectation too high if you have the drive and imagination to push the limits of your organization.
Feeling Motivated Yet?
If you’re feeling inspired to take your business to the next level, contact us to see how we can help your business soar. Feel free to leave some motivational quotes from your favorite movies in the comments!
