Work can often leave us feeling unhappy, unfulfilled and unmotivated, particularly if it’s not interesting work, or just downright boring. There are plenty of ways to escape the mental anguish: sports, socialising, or getting into a good TV show or movie series. But sometimes a movie or TV show can do more than just distract. Whether you’re young or old, what you see on screen can provide some inspiration for a career move.
With 39% of millennials saying that their career choice was influenced by what they saw on screen, it’s no surprise that movie stars can influence their viewers regarding their choice of occupation. Many professional poker players even say that movies got them interested in playing, and it’s certainly common for fashion trends to follow what we see on screen. So, if you’re struggling, stuck in a rut, and feel like you’re just treading water, perhaps it’s time to open up Netflix.
Field of Dreams
“If you build it, they will come”. This is a film about a farmer who built a baseball field on his land, and people who knew him thought he was crazy, failing to see his vision. If you’re thinking of starting your own business, or perhaps going it alone as a freelancer, Field of Dreams will leave you feeling inspired. After all, if you build it, they will come.
Friends
Friends was an international hit, spanning 10 seasons and coming to an end in 2004—and it has left people wanting more ever since. This wasn’t just by accident; most of us can relate with at least one of the personalities in the cast, whether it’s Phoebe’s quirkiness, Rachel’s struggle to find her independence, or Ross’ romantic challenges. This makes Friends a great universal source of inspiration—Chandler eventually found his true calling in advertising, Rachel became a successful career woman, and Monica and Chandler built a happy life together.
Suits
Suits, particularly character Rachel Zane (played by Meghan Markle), has helped inspire women to take up careers in law. The legal drama follows a number of professionals in a top New York law firm, and Rachel isn’t the only inspiration. The show features a black woman (Jessica Pearson, played by Gina Torres) as the head of the firm and Mike Ross (played by Patrick Adams), who channeled the early trauma of losing his parents into making a positive difference in the world by using his skills as a lawyer.
Parks and Recreation
Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) of the Pawnee Parks and Recreation Department should be a source of inspiration for all. Filled with bags of enthusiasm for her work, she uses her optimism and energy to drive change in Indiana. Knope’s character should be used to train anyone working in public office. She will fill you with motivation the next time the bureaucracy and red tape of your work leaves you feeling frustrated.
The Social Network & Silicon Valley
The story of the founding of Facebook is not new or unique. Microsoft and many other companies were all founded by university dropouts or in dorm rooms. However, the film The Social Network puts the story into public view much more than would have happened otherwise. Both The Social Network and Silicon Valley glamourise the early stages of a startup (be it tech or otherwise), particularly regarding the challenges in obtaining funding and the constant, uphill struggle that comes with starting a business from scratch.
There are many stories of people who’ve been inspired to code after watching The Social Network, and whilst it would probably not be wise to copy Facebook, you can take inspiration from a story about fighting against the odds and working hard to achieve great things.
