12 Lessons About Personal Productivity We Can Learn From The Movie Jaws
Believe it or not, the movie Jaws teaches us many lessons about personal productivity. I decided to use my favorite movie as a vehicle to share thoughts about time management in my podcast, Master Your Roles. So, dim the lights, grab some popcorn, get your feet out of the water, and explore new insights related to managing your busy life.
#1 - Prepare Constantly
When the town of Amity acknowledged it had a big problem, Quint came prepared with a killer sales pitch. You should create a battle plan each night and list the next day’s top outcomes you want to achieve.
#2 - You Can’t Stay Under with Three Barrels
You may be trying to play too many roles at the same time. Become more aware of transitioning between all the different hats you wear. The attributes that make you effective in one role may not translate to other roles. For example, a Marine drill instructor has to be ruthless and uncompromising in his job but can’t be the same way at home with his family. Have a routine for transitioning between key roles.
#3 - Capture the Essence
John Williams’ amazing soundtrack is legendary. He captured the essence of every scene beautifully from the swashbuckling excitement of the chase at sea to the primal two-note theme of the shark. You can capture the essence of all your roles by writing mini-mission statements for each. Start by brainstorming the adjectives that describe you at your very best in each role and then write a few sentences to describe the reason why that role is vital to your fulfillment.
#4 - Cultivate Quiet Intensity
Quint’s haunting monologue describing the fate of the U.S.S. Indianapolis is a favorite scene of many Jaws fans. What are the moments of your day where you need to increase the intensity? Perhaps you can do it with less words and more feeling.
#5 - You’re Gonna Need a Better Time Management System
Evaluate your time management system. You need a system that feeds your creativity, organizes large projects, and helps you have a healthy work life balance.
#6 - Start With A Clean Slate
With each viewing of Jaws, I find myself appreciating something new. I may focus on the music, Quint, Hooper, cinematography, etc.… Similarly, each day is a clean slate. If we didn’t work towards our goals and mission, we get a brand-new day.
#7 - Demonstrate How to Feed Your Passions
I love that my kids know how much I love Jaws. It’s a gift to show others your passion. Identify your passions, hobbies, and interests and go deep on them!
#8 - Don’t Skimp On The Details!!
Spielberg does a wonderful job of giving you the details that ratchet up the tension, such as, the first few clicks of Quint’s fishing reel and squeaking shoes slipping on a dock while evading the beast.
#9 - Remain Flexible
Just as Quint had to change plans and ask Hooper what he could do with his cage, you must be willing to change course throughout the day.
#10 - Exercise Your Empathy
Hooper, Brody, and Quint bonded by trading stories and comparing scars and you must exercise your empathetic skills as well.
#11 - You Must Perform
In the dramatic ending of the film, Brody had to shoot that scuba tank at the last second. You can use the mantra “I’m at my very best right now” to get work done whenever you want.
#12 - Have Strong Emotion Backing A Clear Goal – Know Your Why!!
Killing the dreaded shark was the clear goal for the film’s main characters and there was plenty of emotion supporting that goal. Clarify your #1 goal in life. It must be a goal that activates all other goals. An example could be “I am a visionary” or I’m a world-class problem solver.”
Phew! We managed to get home safe after our tangle with the great white. Please subscribe to my podcast, Master Your Roles, available on i-Tunes. Master Your Roles podcast, episode #2
Scott Snow is a productivity expert who offers workshops, seminars, and coaching in the areas of work life balance, time management, and leadership development.
JAWS MEMORIES FROM MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Included are a foreword by director Steven Spielberg, interviews with production designer Joe Alves, screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, location casting director Shari Rhodes, and more, providing an unprecedented all-access pass to the creation of some of the most memorable and terrifying scenes in film history. This unique compendium is the first to focus on the production's local participants, telling their stories at last.
