5 Creative Lessons From Indiana Jones
“Trust me.” - Indiana Jones
The new Indy movie is out this week, so I thought we’d celebrate with some creative lessons from our favorite swashbuckling archaeologist.
1. He’s the best in his field.
When you need an archaeologist, who you gonna call? Indy, of course! When the U.S. government needs to find the lost ark before the Nazis do, they hire Dr. Jones. Are you the Indiana Jones of your field? Why not go for it?
2. Nothing stops Indy from reaching his goal.
Not snakes, rats, Nazis, poison darts, killer swordsman, heck, not even Hitler himself. Do you let the Nazis in your life (or in your head) stop you from reaching your dreams? If Indy can shrug off a few taranchulas without batting an eye, surely we can keep working through a few minor setbacks or sniffles. We’ve gotta be more like Indy and keep crackin’ that whip!
3. He’s an adventurer, but he’s gotta pay the bills.
…So he teaches “part time”, like a normal guy. He works a job that he likes - a job that helps other people. This allows him to have his adventures and live his ‘truer’ life as a creative hero. Sound familiar?
4. He takes bold, creative risks.
Indy takes bold leaps of faith, whether it’s jumping across wide chasms or drinking from the Holy Grail even when he knows his face might melt off if he chooses “poorly”. He trusts his instincts and takes chances, “making it up” as he goes…
5. He can “let go” of the prize, because in the end it’s all about the creative journey.
How ironic: Indy nearly kills himself a thousand different ways trying to reach his goal, and when he finally captures the prize, he’s forced to let it go and move on to the next adventure. Think about it: at the end of Raiders, the army takes the ark, sticks it in a box, and hides it in a warehouse. At the end of Temple of Doom, he returns the Shankara Stones to the village, giving up “fortune and glory”. At the end of Last Crusade, he’s able to “let go” of the Holy Grail after the real goal is achieved - healing his relationship with his father.
Can you think of anything else we can learn from Indy? Leave your adventurous comment!
“Choose wisely”
I always liken marriage to Indiana Jones and the search for the holy grail. I think instead of going after that flashy cup we need to look for that wooden sensible one. That flashy one will suck the life right out of you.
I guess that doesn’t have much to do with creativity, but
still one of my favorite analogies!
Great blog
Hi Mark,
I like how you said “He can “let go” of the prize, because in the end it’s all about the creative journey.”.
If only we could all realize this truth.
Excellent!
Hmmm, I think I’d add in: He always seems confident that everything will work out for the best, even when the situation is challenging. And he maintains a sense of humour (albeit a somewhat cynical one!). Plus, there’s always time for love
Dr. Nicole - you make a great point. Of course I’m not sure ‘wooden’ is a quality we look for, but I know what you mean!
We all just want someone who won’t make our head explode, right?
Barbara - thanks. That occurred to me when I was in the shower! Indy never gets to keep the prize he worked so hard for.
Mags - You’re so right; the humor! Even when the bad guys point guns in his face, Indy’s got a funny, cocky one-liner to throw at them. This is one of the greatest qualities ever.
My favorite part of all the Indy movies is when Indy is at the edge of the clif and needs to get to the other side to complete the mission of healing his father. He takes the leap of faith and as he steps off the cliff, the bridge exptends right under his foot.
Isn’t that what we have to do in life? Whether it is taking that leap of faith in our creativity or in our relationships, taking that leap of faith takes us to a place we couldn’t get to otherwise. For me, that leap of faith is my faith that God will extend the bridge. I haven’t fallen yet! ( and won’t!)
WOW! I love how you drew these lessons from Indy. I was VERY impressed that you found that much in a movie. What a fun way to teach! I mean, it would be a great way to teach kids as well. And the lessons apply to us all. I related to them all from my own life, but laughed over and liked best:
3. He’s an adventurer, but he’s gotta pay the bills.
VERY creative post Mark!!
another groovy entry, Mark!
one more reminder i got from Indy’s latest is the power of *shifting my frame of reference*.
when he was thrown a snake to get out of the sand pit, he was able to grab it after he renamed it a ROPE. YAY!
manoman… how often do i allow myself to stay stuck because i keep looking at and often doing things the same way i’ve always looked at/done them? ugh.
SO looking forward to spotting more ropes out there!
@Lisa- wow! Thanks for the reminder. Shifting your frame of reference to look at things a different way. I need to remember that as I think through some struggles I am having. I need to look for the ropes out there instead of the snakes! Thanks a bunch!
may the ropes abound for us all, Laurie !
Mark, thanks again for the fun Indy nudge.
Rainforest Robin - Thanks! You know, that’s a very cool idea about teaching this stuff to kids. Hmmmmmmmmm. As a product of the 70’s & 80’s I grew up inhaling Spielberg & Lucas movies so I know them like the back of my hand.
Laurie - That is a great scene when Indy steps on the ‘Bridge of Faith’. He has faith AND his heart is in the right place: he’s trying to save his father. Thanks!
Lisa - “Call the snake a rope!” Ha - you’re right. The scene was very Byron Katie, wasn’t it? She’s always saying that our stressful thoughts are ropes that we think are snakes. You’ve heard of her right? If not, head on over to http://www.thework.org pronto!
Laurie & Lisa - Your acknowledgement of each other’s comments marks the first time any guests of Creative Journey Cafe have communicated with each other instead of just me. For this I’m pleased!
hahaha… shoulda known you’d know that rope/snake source, Mark. YAY YOU! and YAY Byron/Indy!
deep and humble bows your way.
happy Memorializing today.