I’m a huge fan of action films and thriller novels — special kudos if you know my favorite action film star (hint: if you can’t solve from the photo above then you can find the answer on my about page under quick facts)!
I’m also a sucker for inspirational stories. One of my favorite inspirational films is the 1993 sports classic, Rudy.
While the stories between the genres differ, there is one characteristic parallel that draws me in each time — nonconformity to achieve an objective.
Nonconformity — Action, Thriller, and Inspirational Stories
With action films and thriller novels the protagonist is often off doing their own thing to accomplish their objective.
Take Jack Reacher for instance. Last year I wrote a popular piece that spoke on how Reacher taught me confidence and clarity. In that piece I noted how Reacher developed higher than normal levels of clarity and confidence because of his nothing to lose (a title to one of the Reacher novels) lifestyle — no home, car, or expensive toys to relinquish.
I also noted how Reacher is a non-conformist by society standards, and how this way of living impacts his clarity and confidence. Reacher has no desire to be tied down to excessive life-weight.
On the other end of the spectrum with the inspirational stories we see, read or hear, the same trait of not having a desire to conform is often present as well.
In Rudy for example, the main character (Rudy Ruettiger) is up for the challenge to attend and play football for the University of Notre Dame, despite his learning struggles, small height, and lack of money.
What’s interesting to note is that post high-school Rudy was following his family’s footsteps working at a local steel mill. Also, his relationship with his high school girlfriend was moving forward, and in one scene it was evident that Rudy did not want to invest in a home with her as it could tie him down from pursuing his dream.
Ultimately, it took the death of Rudy’s best friend in the film to no longer accept conformity and pursue his dream.
Nonconformity (aka “the herd”)
I read an excellent article on LinkedIn Pulse a couple of weeks back entitled, Are You Part of “The Herd” Mentality?
The article was written by Debbie Ruston, a well-known international trainer and visionary leader. She wrote on how common it is for people to live within a herd mentality, and how common it is for people to accept the mediocre outcomes within the lifestyle.
Ruston shared key indicators on how to identify if we are within this herd and steps to help us get out.
Two of the steps she shares on helping us to get out of the herd, surrounding ourselves with new people that are supportive of our chosen direction, and trusting ourselves by listening to our inner voice, resonated well with me.
In today’s digital age I find it much easier to connect and surround myself with like-minded people through social media. Ten years ago I never would’ve thought that I could make such valuable and direct connections with people all across the globe.
Maybe it is just me, but I feel as if I have stronger connections with many people I may never meet versus people I see on a frequent basis.
In terms of trusting myself by listening to my inner voice, this is one area that has taken me some time to develop.
I spent years avoiding my inner/egoic voice while living a conformist lifestyle.
My wife and I married at a young age (22), and post college I began my eager drive to work hard, grow our family, purchase our first home, and spend money on countless possessions.
I spent years living a lifestyle I was told would lead to true happiness — work hard, become successful and happiness will follow.
The work hard (60-80 hour workweeks) I did, which often led to personal success. This success, however, did little to lead me toward personal happiness.
What this lifestyle did lead me to was to file for bankruptcy, lose my home, and go through many health and family issues.
It’s been over ten years since that chapter began and in that decade I’ve seen numerous highs and lows — too many to disclose here.
What I can say, however, is that I am grateful to have experienced such highs and lows at a young age.
I still remember the day my wife approached me with some radical ideas following our fun family trip to Walt Disney World three years back. At the time, my wife was in the beginning phases of pursuing a minimalistic lifestyle.
One of her first suggestions following our trip was to cancel our cable television. Her second suggestion was that we begin to de-clutter our home and expenses.
I thought an alien had kidnapped my wife at the time — cancel cable TV? De-clutter?
My personal finances at the time were a mess (to say the least). I was living paycheck-to-paycheck, and was often trying to play catch up on many bills and expenses. I was also working at jobs that did nothing but provide distress, anxiety and fear. I needed the jobs at the time, however, as they were helping me to stay afloat financially.
Any leisure time away from work, family responsibilities and chores were spent with a remote control in my right hand watching cable TV and a cold beer in my left.
Social media was also another form of leisure for me, especially while making our kids dinner each night and downing another beer or two.
Such passive leisure was doing its job of masking my pain from work anxiety and the stress/burdens weighing on my shoulders in terms of debt, expensive bills, and possessions.
Photo Source — Fun, Cheap or Free
I remember once taking a college course and the professor hammering in our heads that change is difficult for humans. We are creatures of habit and are used to routines.
What I did not realize until many years later, however, is that we are also known to choose the path of least resistance in life.
The microwave society we live in wants immediate satisfaction and results. And when our life is in a state of disarray we tend to choose a path of least resistance to mask (not solve) pain.
This is what the countless hours of television watching, social media surfing, alcohol drinking, and binge eating did when my life was out of whack.
I had no desire to workout, pick up a book and read, write, socialize in public, or travel. And I certainly didn’t want to seek help either.
I was who I was — living with a ton of life weight and masking my pain each day.
The film Jack Reacher starring Tom Cruise was based off this novel
Words can do no justice to explain my three year turnaround in this post. I lived it and experienced it.
It’s been a gradual journey the past 36 months. And it all began with the cancellation of our cable TV and life de-cluttering.
Waking up each day knowing I have fewer burdens weighing me down is liberating. Waking up each morning with natural energy to pursue what I value most is priceless.
The benefits of this lifestyle WAY surpass the cons.
Sure, it’s a non-conformist way of living. The way I see it, however, is that I have one shot at living, and I’ll be damned if I am going to live it by conforming to society standards.
What does your one-shot at living look like?
Awesome articles for you to read this week:
How to Let Go: Releasing the Burdens That Hold You Back
The Minimalism Game: Decluttering Goes Viral
Excess is Not the Same as Success
Stop Wasting Time on Things That Don’t Have a Purpose in Your Life
Email me when Eric publishes or recommends stories