6 Things Harry Potter Has Taught Me About Business
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Last night I saw the latest Harry Potter movie.
Now I have to admit, I enjoy the Potter story, but I’m not a raving fan. For instance, I’ve never completely read a book. Oh, I’ve tried, but they just don’t captivate me the same way they do others. Perhaps I’m missing something, I don’t know.
I do like Harry, though. He’s a wonderful, somewhat unassuming hero. And I love that he’s portrayed as a real human being - kind, yet fallible; confident, yet uncertain. But through his diligent efforts, things always seem to work out.
Sounds exactly like me and my business. And it was some key business lessons that I look away from the latest Harry Potter movie.
- Ask for help: In Order of the Phoenix, Harry had this idea that maybe going at it alone was best. As a business owner, one of the keys to success is knowing when to ask for help.
- Trust the process: Building a business is like walking down a path. Yet rarely can we see where the path will lead us. So as you walk the path, trust the process of how it unfolds. Soon enough you’ll find what’s around the next bend.
- Expect the unexpected: Just like when Hagrid says he has something to show you, expect to be surprised in your business. Things will pop up that you don’t expect so try to roll with the punches as much as you can.
- How I feel is okay: In Order of the Phoenix, Harry battles a huge rage that burns inside him. He learns that these feelings aren’t bad, they just are. Just like in business, we’ll have up days and down days. Enjoy the ups and weather the downs.
- Know who you are: In Harry’s battle with is rage, he never looses the fact that he’s a good person. It’s important in your business to be clear about who you are and how what you do is unique. This is especially important on those down days.
- Doing anything new requires struggle: Yet struggle isn’t a bad thing. If you’re struggling it means you’re stretching beyond your norm. Just be careful not to stay in the struggle.
There are certainly lots of lessons I could extract from Harry Potter and his adventures. But I want to give you a chance to share your own. What lessons have you taken from the Harry Potter stories that will help you in your own business?
Hi, I’m Dawud Miracle. Professionally, I’m a blog and marketing consultant, business coach, educator and web developer who helps people use their websites to grow their business. I’m also a devoted husband and father to two, soon to be three, children. Please let me know if I can help you in any way.
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Oh. My. God. I was going to write this post too! Hysterical! And well done!
As if I needed any further evidence that you are my perfect co-author, this just confirms it 1000%!
I had another topic that I started yesterday. Then I saw the movie last night and was moved to share this. I often find messages in every movie.
This is how I know Dawud is the perfect co-author - I didn’t realize it was Dawud’s article until I got to the bottom. It reads as if either one of you could have written it.
Char. You just MADE MY DAY.
Love it!
Will have to go and see this movie Great points you make
What a great post! I haven’t seen the movie yet, but something I’ve taken away from the other Harry Potter movies is BE YOURSELF. It’s kind of an extension of KNOW YOURSELF. I think if I were Harry Potter and facing the kinds of challenges he faces, I would find some good foundation to cover up the scar, dress up in something pretty and call myself Sally. Basically, I might pretend to be someone else to dodge the bullet.
And the truth is, I have pretended in my own life. And much like any good drama, I had a lot of internal conflict. Even though Harry Potter is a fictional character, I can appreciate and admire his true expression of himself. And he, as well as other characters from movies and books, has inspired me to be true to who I am and ditch the disguises.
Wow…I never would have thought about that. But then again, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when I watch a movie. LOL.
Has anyone seen the movie - or any of the others - and have any points to add?
I’ve seen the movie and while I wasn’t thinking in terms of business lessons at the time, I can see a lesson in that you cannot be afraid to make a decision.
There are times when you will make the wrong decision but not making any decision at all can cost you even more.
Very nice post Dawud and an interesting way to look at this (or any) movie.
Thanks so much for the sharing, great reflections! I have not seen the movie yet but have read through the books. I think one reason why Harry Porter is so attractive is he is very human (Vs super human).
And how many times we require ourselves to be super human and got double frustrated? Therefore thank you for pointing out that how I feel is OK and we do struggle along the way.
Great post.
Darn, and yesterday I went to see the Transformers instead!
But the part about sticking to a plan and the up and down days, I like that a lot.
@cooliojones :: Did you learn any business lessons from Transformers? I know I didn’t because I was too interested in all of the action, lol. My son and I loved that movie.
I haven’t seen Transformers yet, but I can say I got a lesson from Spiderman 3, which was kind of the same lesson from from all of the Harry Potter books - that “the greatest battle is within”.
I used to rent a cottage behind a friend’s home in the hills above Napa Valley for a few years. He and I watched a lot of movies - and were also very spiritually minded. After each movie we would just sit around and talk about the lessons we extracted. It was great. And we often tied the lesson to spiritual teachings we were working on.
Of course you’re right, too, the greatest battle is within.
Great Post! Would have never considered Harry Potter and business in the same thought, but it’s all true…
Great tips, even if you’ve never watched a Harry Potter movie or read one of the books…like someone I know…not going to mention names…LOL
Don
@derek: hmmm, looking back, I would say it’s important to know what’s going on in your organization, whether or not you are directly involved. The right hand needs to know what the left is doing, or has done.
Also, movies before 12 noon cost only $5!