It used to be, before DVDs and Surround Sound, that people read novels to be entertained and also to see life with a fresh perspective. Books weren’t just for the intelligentsia; they made you more intelligent. You got transported and ennobled at the same time.
My theory is that today you don’t need to dust off a thick copy of “Great Expectations” or “War and Peace” to become wiser about the ways of the world. You can figure out methods and ‘ways of being’ that will support you and even improve your sales and your leadership abilities, just by watching an amazing movie.
I take so much from the profound pictures I see and get absorbed in, that I consider them parables for modern man (and woman.)
All of my favorite pictures have messages in them that go way beyond entertainment. They all encourage me to go ahead and be different. To reinvent myself. Inspire others creatively. Have the courage to set goals and pursue seemingly unreachable heights. And then the music swells, and unbelievably - the marathon runner gets to the beach, the mountain climber plants the flag on Everest, the little girl swims out to the whale and climbs aboard.
It’s goose bump time.
My favorite movies encourage me to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals. They spur me on to support and lead people. They remind me that it’s OK to be vulnerable – preferable in fact – because then I am authentic and open and can be accessible for relationships of the highest caliber – which is key to your relationships in sales and when leading others to follow you.
Ever notice how in story lines, there has to be an antagonist who bumps up against the main character frequently – and that’s what makes the plot line so gripping? Well, movies make me go for my dreams and desires in ‘real life’ – regardless of the opposition I might experience.
What used to be called ‘morality plays’ were a sort of ancient instruction manual on how to live well and behave uprightly. Well, I consider movies today’s morality plays – they show how to be your best self, how to have your goals in the future drive your thoughts and feelings in the present, and when the closing credits are rolling, how to know for sure that ‘tomorrow is another day’ and it really is… ‘A Wonderful Life’.
Here are my Top 5 Movies of all time and what I get out of them from a sales perspective – every time I hit the PLAY button!
It's a Wonderful Life
(Circa 1946 – starring Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart)
I got the essence of my ideas for the 7 Ways of Being (described in my recent blog – check it out!) from this pivotal movie. It was made by Frank Capra and has played on TV every holiday season since I was a kid:
My takeaways from it are:
- Life is precious and all of us have a role here.
- Our actions and words always impact others, so make them motivating and empowering ones.
- Be other-focused rather than me-focused. When you give to others unselfishly and often, the universe will repay you 10 times over.
- Sales Directors talk about planting seeds in winning customers for life. This is just what they mean – that when you serve, you succeed.
- There’s a huge importance in finding ways to be in contribution to others and society.
- Be a visionary and allow yourself to carry out your considered mission. That’s what truly matters- even though you have challenging days, come up against cruel bankers, tough employees or callous customers, forge ahead.
- When you apply the ‘Law of Intention’ to the goals that you want to achieve in the future, your thoughts and actions are then influenced by those very specific goals, today.
Here are three of my favorite quotes which are in keeping with this timeless movie’s premise:
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - M. Gandhi.
“It is literally true….you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” – Napoleon Hill
"Then give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you." -Madeline Bridges
The Graduate
(Circa 1967 – Starring Dustin Hoffman, Ann Bancroft)
My takeaways from this movie classic:
- The importance of being authentic and sticking to your ‘true self’ – especially when there’s opposition to your doing just that!
- Do whatever it takes to achieve your objective. Even if that means interrupting the wedding of your beloved and pounding desperately on the glass over the church altar. I see it as applying the ‘Law of Intention’ to the goals you hold dear. What you want in the future actually influences your thoughts and actions today. So think BIG.
- That the way to be a sales leader is to look for ways to demonstrate your uniqueness and to avoid complacency. Be a maverick. After all, few others rush to take the lead or dare to take a stand. You can be a sales stand out by taking the less popular but maybe more pertinent approach to things. You will be remembered as someone reliable - with unusual integrity - when the time comes for a client to take a considered risk - to write a large purchase order or to sign on the dotted line.
Here are two of my favorite quotes that support this particular movie’s philosophy:
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking." -George S. Patton
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dead Poets Society
(Circa 1989 – starring Robin Williams)
- You don’t know that you don’t know, so it’s important to keep learning and to keep your mind WIDE OPEN. That way you’ll let creativity and energy in!
- Be authentic and stick to your principles, especially when people challenge you unfairly.
- When you are looking to lead, to teach or to train sales people, find creative ways to support them in reaching their full potential. Your responsibility as a leader is to support your team and to provide individual sales people with opportunities to excel.
- Hold people to their higher selves – hold them to the possibilities of who they are and what they have yet to discover.
Here are three great quotes that are reflective of this influential movie’s philosophy:
"Plant your feet. Stand firm. And Make a point about who you are" -Pat Riley
"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." -Robin Williams
"Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value." -Albert Einstein
Good Will Hunting
(Circa 1997 Starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck)
My takeaways from this movie made by two Boston best friends:
- When you access your authenticity and openness, your relationships grow and people are willing to follow you. Your power in sales can lie in this uncommon vulnerability. So don’t try to act all blustery and like you’re impervious. Instead, when you show up authentically, people will always follow you. You become a leader that is strong enough to show his vulnerability and authenticity.
- The way that you view and think of yourself dictates your outcome. "Whether you think you can or you can't, you are right." Sales is a lot about remaining confident. Realize that your viewpoints influence your results. Exceed quotas by meeting your challenges head on and always optimistically.
- Self reflection is critical when you are interested in growing and evolving as a person and as a top professional. Think about how to do better on your next sales call by finding tangible ways to ‘deal’ with your personal character – to improve your ways of being. Don’t be afraid to look! Check out these really helpful self-assessment tools called DiSC.
- My favorite quote that’s in keeping with this particular movie’s philosophy:
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." -Dr Seuss
The Secret
(2007 – based on the best selling philosophical book)
- When you apply the ‘Law of Attraction’, the Universe will bring you exactly the things, events and people that you gave deliberate thought to
- You want to have thoughts and feelings that match your desires so that they are empowering to you and to others
- Be grateful for the things that you have, so that you manifest more types of those happy results
- Developing a "Vision Board" (call Coach Nick for instructions) is a great way to influence your future. Put your sales goals up high on the Vision Board - materially and numerically!
- Purposefully direct the feelings and thoughts you have today (rather than paying attention to the ones leftover from the past—those can be so disempowering)
- When you apply the ‘Law of Intention’ to your future goals, you make them materialize right now, starting in the present
Here are two quotes that are aligned with this movie:
"When you say "I will" with conviction, magic begins to happen." -Wally Amos
“What you focus on expands” -Universal Law
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