Everyone loves a movie! They move us, change us, challenges us, entertain, and educate us. I love movies! They are a venue to share thoughts, beliefs, and advice. Some are great and some are not, but someone loved it. I am a huge movie buff; I have owned a great many movies over the years to the point where I had to build a special bookshelf just to hold my collection.
As much entertainment as they provide, we can also take some priceless nuggets of wisdom out of them that apply to our lives without all the glitz and glam of Hollywood.
Here are the 5 best pieces of advice for every man from the movies. Not ranked in any particular order.
1. Keep Moving Forward! - Meet the Robinsons (2007)
This little gem crops up throughout the entire movie to the point where it’s almost obnoxious. When the main character asks for clarification he finds out that it is a family motto to, no matter what, keep moving forward. He learns that what he sees as failures are viewed as lessons learned on the path to greatness. This fun little film may have flown under your radar if you do not have kids, but this fact flew under the radar for a lot of people.
The motto “Keep moving forward” comes directly out of a bigger quote that shaped the mouse as we know it.
“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
–Walt Disney
They thought it would be fun to build around a saying that has shaped a global corporation and captured the imaginations of children and adults everywhere even if we did not know it.
Men, keep moving forward; the past is behind you and cannot be changed. Any failings are only lessons on what did not work to achieve your goal. Take the lesson and keep moving forward. Every success in this world can tell you all about the many “failures” before they got to where they are now.
2. “You’re your problem…and you’re also your solution” - Megan Price – Bridesmaids (2011)
While I have not seen this movie personally, I came across this quote while doing research for my podcast and it was an instant winner. I cannot expound upon this much; it is pretty simple and straight forward. Embrace the extreme ownership we talk about here at The Fallible Man and you will understand this massive truth!
3. “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.” - Benjamin Mee – We Bought a Zoo (2011)
This wild and slightly crazy advice will rock your world! The movie is based on a true story about a father and 2 children dealing with the loss of their wife/mother. When Benjamin decides his kids need a change, they find the perfect home in the country. Small catch, it comes with a closed zoo, full of animals and a skeleton staff. This great heartwarming movie was so much fun, but this is the rule Ben lives by. Twenty seconds of courage. It is also advice he passes on to his son in the movie. It was a great family friendly flick, but that simple quote can change your whole world if you let it. I talked about it with @commonmanocr in my podcast that comes out on audio 2/3/21 and video the following week. Check it out for more of a discussion.
4. [coach walks over and looks at Falco with disgust] “Winners always want the ball... when the game is on the line.” - Jimmy McGinty - The Replacements “2000”
You very likely have seen this quote from me before if you have been reading this blog, I absolutely love it! It goes back to the idea of ownership; men want to control their lives because then it is truly in your own hands. Win or lose is entirely on you, why would you ever want the critical decision in someone else’s hands? You are powerless if you leave it to someone else, no one knows how to achieve your goals like you. Take charge, take control, and master your own destiny!
5. "Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." -Yoda, Star Wars: Episode V-The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
I had someone very close to me drive this into my very thick head when I was a teenager, and it has been with me ever since. I have undoubtedly forgotten the lesson at times, but I always come back to it. I am floored by the world of participation trophies and no score sporting events. It does not teach children or adults the truth. You did or did not, when you did not you have to explore the causes of why you did not. This leads to self-realization, humility, prioritization, and growth. We would not want that would we? It is the same reason I love weightlifting. The iron does not give a crap about how you feel or what excuse you have. It does not get lighter because you had a crappy day or did not eat right. It does not care if the kids kept you up. It is pure honesty. You did what you needed to, or you did not, and the truth will bear itself out when you make your attempt. Do the work or do not, succeed or fail, come prepared or go home disappointed. Losers always whine about doing their best, no one cares. If your boss accepts that crap, then they are losers and the company you work for is doomed.
Bring your “A” game, set your sights, do the work, and kick A$$. Accept nothing less
What are your quotes that actually matter? There are a ton of great movie quotes but not all of them apply to life. What do you think of these? Did I miss one that you think ranks top 5? Sound off below!
Thanks,
The Fallible Man
Be better tomorrow because of what you do today!