5 Career Lessons from the Movie “Inception”

Yaya Aiki, peeps!

You must be thinking, Sochi, what were you thinking when you thought up this topic? OK. First off, I must confess, I am a film buff. Secondly, you know how we riot in our heart of heart to reconcile our occupations with our pre-occupations – well, here is my dilemma: How to validate my love for great movie stories and my passion to render valid professional advice.

Ergo, 5 Career Lessons from the Movie “Inception.”

1)            Cobb: Never recreate places from your memory. Always imagine new places!

Break from the monotony. Bring a fresh breath of innovation and imagination to how you perform your tasks. Your employer cum supervisor appreciates what innovation or initiative you can bring to your job. Think, “How can I do this faster and reduce turnaround time?” A thought like this may not get you to Hollywood but it will take you to “new places” in your work life.

2)            Eames: [with Arthur in a gunfight] You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.

While thinking of new qualifications to beef your resume with, there is a risk attached to thinking vertically than thinking horizontally. This is where you make career choices that don’t necessarily prove you are looking for challenge or equipped for it either. Strive to widen your skill set instead of changing the combination of skills you use on a job. Dream bigger, darling – pull out that grenade launcher from your pocket!

3)            Cobb: [From Trailer] The seed that we planted in this man’s mind may change everything.

Good thinking, Good product – we were a little younger when we heard this nugget of Japanese management thinking but it only took a few years of proven achievement before the Western Corporate world was a-flush with Japanese management theories. You have to give it that, Good thinking is infectious. Give time to think. It takes practice. Commit at least 10 – 20 minutes to thinking about new ideas. Over time, you see how it changes your world view and your perception of issues.

4)            Eames: If we are gonna perform Inception then we need imagination.

In all your pursuits, strive for originality. Whether it be an interview or a sales pitch, don’t settle for stereotype. Be original in your style. To be original doesn’t come with your DNA, it’s something you figure out as you go, practice new ways to express a point or answer a usual question. Find your own way of dealing with issues without losing your dignity or professionalism. Rehearse in front of your mirror every morning, listen more, speak less, try to see things from other peoples’ perspective. This makes for a more proactive and productive interaction. Sorry, Inception.

5)            Saito: Don’t you want to take a leap of faith? Or become an old man, filled with regret, waiting to die alone!

If I might say myself, this piece is rather timely. As we make plans, resolve and hope for a productive and fulfilling New Year, we need to face our fears, embrace them and finally, let them go. Changing jobs, considering asking for extra responsibility, starting up a business – whatever critical choice might be, don’t be afraid – take that leap of faith. Let me sound a caveat here: When you take that leap of faith, you don’t always land from zero to hero. Life is a journey. What counts is that you start. Refuse to be crippled by your fear (now here’s an idea for a Nightmare on Elm’s Street sequel).

6)            Arthur: Quick, give me a kiss! [She kisses him and then looks around]

Ariadne: they’re still looking at us.

Arthur: Yeah, it’s worth a shot.

OK, yeah, I said I had five lessons from the movie, How come about a sixth? you may wonder. As the hopeless romantic that I am, I just love mushy lines and couldn’t stop myself from throwing these in. Enjoy.

Now that this labour of love is done, I now consider the price of my Inception movie ticket validated.

“There are some movies that I would like to forget, for the rest of my life. But even those movies teach me things.” Anthonio Banderas

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