In the world of business, and personal lives too of course, the bigger problems usually are the most rewarding. By thinking big and being ambitious, we can try to be bigger than the sum of our own parts and bigger than what we, once too, may have thought we were capable of.
Perseverance
The near impossible goal of destroying the one ring is a daunting task. Known for its power to corrupt seemingly the most purest of hearts, the quest seemingly appeared to be doomed from the start. Failure would leave to almost certain death and the destruction of the world as our protagonists knew it. What kept them going? The promise of returning to the lives, of saving the world and of bringing peace to their world.
What can we learn? In business we are always seeking success - be it in the form of more leads, better customer engagement, broader exposure, and greater profits, Whilst these concepts may not seem as consequential as those faced in LOTR, they, too, require perseverance, fortitude and diligence. Our own paths to success are littered with challenges, we have to keep pushing forward, through every obstacle, past every peak. We can never, ever give up.
Actions Not Words
Whilst many plans may be made, ultimately it is the actions, not the words, that create momentum and bring about change. One key scene within the second film is when the Ents are called upon to enter the battle to save Middle Earth,and spend the day discussing whether or not a discussion is needed to take action. As this scene plays out, the dark forces gather and ravage and destroy their forest home.
Taking action is what we can learn from this particular part of the story. Indeed, planning and strategy creation are important but the key is to implement and execute. Whilst mistakes may be made, they can be used as learning experiences and used to refine the process.
Collaborate
However great the individual may be the benefits of working in a team and collaborating are untold. having input and support from others on your team, or even outside your team can broaden perspective, reveal things that might have been missed and bring fresh ideas.
King Theoden, under siege by the Oruk-Hai at Helms Deep, calls for aid and does not allow pride or ego distract him from both the need to save his Kingdom and be a good leader. When you’re mounting a big project, don’t head into battle alone. Call in aid, rally your troops, and charge ahead.
Go For Greatness
In one of the best scenes within the trilogy, Orlando Bloom’s character Legolas' quest for greatness sees him perform heroically within one particular battle. Scaling the frame of the mythical Oliphant, he thunders through the battlefield controlling the best and picking off enemy fighters before gracefully dismounting and slaughtering the wild beast. In business setting goals that may be impossible at first is the key to pushing ourselves towards greatness. Playing full out, striving for greatness and acting with diligence and strength can see us make the greatest strides forward.
Doubt doubt
When we move outside of our comfort zone there can often be a little voice inside, or ven from others outside, that will whisper, “It can’t be done.” Likewise, there can be those in a team who offer nothing but negativity. Grima Wormtongue sat at Theoden’s side whispering poisonous advice into his ear, slowly undermining Theoden’s success and sanity. In business, often when we seek to innovate or to expand there can be those who will push bac. Indeed, the biggest detractor can even be our own minds. Staying focused on the goal, looking for ways to improve and continuing to learn can help us push past this fear.
Make the hard choices
Difficult decisions are part and parcel of life. Indeed, tempted by the ring Frodo himself faces the tough task of whether to drop the ring into the molten lava that stands before him in the fires of Mount Doom and the struggle will be over. And yet, the ring has such power over Frodo that he can’t bear to let it go. Our hero can no longer see the goal, only the object in front of him. Choices and decisions are, at times, difficult. As such we can procrastinate and avoid making them. Inevitably, if we do not make a choice, choices can be made for us. Staying focused and putting emotion aside, we can make difficult choices.
Be Inspired
Open your mind to inspiration. Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places and bring you the most surprising insights. Be open. Be curious. Be inspired. Our heroes open their mind to the possibility of saving the world, of conquest and teamwork and of the inspiring journey that they undertake.
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