Learn About Business Through "The Hunger Games"

My husband and I went on our first "date" sans our daughter in over a year, FINALLY!!!  One thing I've learned, if you're married with children, it is so vital to the well-being of the entire family to court one another.  

On our date, we went to the IMAX version of the movie Hunger Games.  Wow!!  I loved it!  I know there is much controversy surrounding the basis of the movie - children killing children, however, I was thinking BUSINESS the entire time I watched the movie - well, at least parts of the movie.  

If you are unfamiliar with the movie, let me fill you in.

The main character, Katniss Everdeen, along with 23 other competitors (all of which were 12-18 years of age), battled one another to stay alive in a forest.  They were given one chance to grab some sort of weapon or "bag of goodies" to use on this two week journey.  Once in the forest, they were on their own for food, shelter, water and safety.  

Here are the business tips I drew from the movie:

1.  Believe in yourself: Only one child would come out alive and if you didn't believe you could "win" you would more than likely die pretty quickly.

The same goes with business.  It's not necessarily life or death, but if we don't believe we can do it, if we don't believe in the value of the product or service we offer, if we don't believe we can deliver - our business will more than likely fail within a year or shortly thereafter.

 2.  Prepare for the Opportunity:  Not that dying in a game is an opportunity, but the opportunity to be thrown into this come and come out alive. It was quite obvious that certain children had prepared themselves for this day not knowing whether it would ever come or not, but they were prepared both mentally and physically to take on the challenge.

We don't know what our future holds, but we better be prepared and OPEN to any opportunity that opens it's door to us.  Keeping our eyes open at all times.

3.  Take Risks:  In the beginning of the movie, we found out how a child's name was put into the lottery more times - they were trying to earn more food for their families.  By placing their names in the lottery more, not only did they earn more food, but they also increased their chances of being selected for the Hunger Games.

In order to be successful in business, I mean REALLY successful, you have to take risks.  Now, just because you are taking a risk doesn't mean you don't have to think about it first, I encourage you to do so.  Know what you're getting yourself into, but you must be willing to take them!

4.  Become Excellent at Your Skill:  Katniss Everdeen, who eventually won the Hunger Games, was a phenomenal archery shooter.  She practiced hunting for squirrels in the woods of her "district" for her family to eat.  She was incredible and used this to her advantage multiple times throughout the Hunger Games.

What are you good at?  You must set yourself apart from the competition.  One of the three things to look at when going into business is "Can I do it better than my competition?"  If you can't, then your competition has a better chance of getting the clients and customers they want.

5.  Be a Giver:  During the movie, Katniss put herself on the line multiple times by helping other competitors LIVE during the Hunger Games.  She put herself in danger and expected nothing in return.  It paid off in the end.

We'll all heard it.  In business, you must be a giver.  Now, I don't mean go sacrifice the well-being of your family and give away your services for FREE.  You have to put food on the table, remember!  We are here to serve others, to live out God's purpose for us - it's really not up to us what we're meant to do, but it is up to us to figure it out.  Give back to others and expect nothing in return.  If you expect something in return, you aren't a true servant.

My point?

You can look at most situations and spin them into some sort of business-like connection.  Learn from everyone and everything around you.

Start Your Engines,

Megan

http://www.structuredwellness.com

Click Contact Megan for a free 15 minute Start Your Engine Coaching session - only for people serious about investing in themselves!