Women at Work: Motivation can come from cinematic sources

What do motivational quotes, a movie script and your job have in common?

It actually could be much more than you think. 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. Olivia Garrison, who writes a blog for Creative Click Media, compiled the excerpts I share below.

"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."— 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 always can rely on "Eye of the Tiger" for motivation.

If you were to sit down and watch every "Rocky" movie, there would be more motivational lines pertaining to life and work than you realize.

"Calling someone stupid doesn't make you any smarter. All you can do in life is solve the problem in front of you."— 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."— Van Wilder, "Van Wilder"

Takeaway:Worrying won't solve a problem, but being proactive will help prevent it.

"The key to this business is personal relationships."— 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."— Governor Weatherby Swann, "Pirates of the Caribbean "

Takeaway:Business leaders should make it a priority to be guided by their morals, not their wallet. 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.

"Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads."— 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 dead ends 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."— Phil, "Groundhog Day"

Takeaway:All too often, we push off our obligations until the mythical "tomorrow," and when tomorrow comes, 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!"— 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?