Catch MIB3's Will Smith - Master Motivator for a Work Ethic!

Will Smith

Will Smith's Men in Black sci-fi spoof movies are so quirky they defy classification. Elvis Presley a shape-shifting alien? Hoo! These flicks have been incredibly popular, and I must say they were a roller coaster ride. I caught the previews of the latest Men in Black 3 and it's definitely on my list. IMAX 3D? Any way that won't be fun?



Lately, though, it's not Will Smith the actor who's captured my attention. It's Will Smith the motivator.

Seriously. Remember that scene in The Pursuit of Happyness when optimistic but out-of-work Chris and his 5-year-old boy are evicted from their home? When things were at their worst, he didn't want his kid to feel defeated. I love this scene. It really inspires...



See what I mean? And I love the great ending. Lump in throat time...



And then I discovered that when Will Smith is invited to talk about his personal life, he reveals himself to be a world-class motivator. The real Will Smith is a lot like Chris. I love what he says about work. Not all of us are born with talent, advantages and other gifts, but all of us can work hard at what we do. Listen to this...



You might be more talented than me. You might be smarter than me. But if we get on the treadmill together, either you're getting off first, or I'm going to die.

I will outwork you. Oh my. That pumps me up, man. What if every teenager heard, understood and internalized this empowering thought about work ethic and effort? Visions of hope and possibility! Can you imagine what would happen?

Post by Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D., Copyright 2012. Building Personal Strength .