Work It, Girl

One of the things I talk about in my forthcoming book, GetReal, GetGoing: The Definitive Roadmap to Starting the Private Practice of your Dreams, is how to deal with doubts and fears. Trust me, I had plenty of those when I was starting out  -- days when it felt like I was never going to get there. I have several strategies for building myself back up when this happens -- from listening to motivational talks to taping affirmations on my mirror, which I’ll talk about in a future post. But some nights, really all you can do is collapse in front of the TV… What to do then? Choose movies that motivate you and remind you that, even when the chips are down, dreams can come true! 

Here’s a list of five of my favorite motivational movies. These share a common theme in how they each portray women struggling to achieve their goals in the face of a multitude of fears, doubts and obstacles:

Legally Blonde

Reese Witherspoon plays an adorable “dumb blonde” who, it turns out, isn’t so dumb after all! Her character, Elle Woods, is an about-to-graduate sorority queen who’s expecting an engagement ring from her boyfriend but gets dumped instead. In order to “win the bastard back” she goes all in – applying to and getting accepted by Harvard Law School where she obtains a prized internship and solves a murder case! And it works -- she impresses her ex and he wants her back... but her struggles have made her realize she wants to be more than “Mrs. Warner Huntington III.” She’s found her calling as a lawyer… not to mention a much better boyfriend prospect (say “Hello” to Luke Wilson) who respects her for what’s inside as well as out.

Working Girl

This 1988 movie made a huge impact on everyone from my generation and my screenwriter friends call it “the perfect movie!” Tess MgGill (played by Melanie Griffith) is a secretary who has put herself through night school to get her business degree. She has to take the Staten Island ferry to and from work in the city every day, and uses that time to read and research and brainstorm. I so admired her sheer dogged determination to achieve her goals! And I was so angry when she brought one of her great ideas to her boss, and her boss stole her idea!  But when her boss breaks her leg, Tess takes the risk of impersonating her in order to present her own ideas, and is then mistaken for an executive by all the right people. When her boss comes back, Tess’s unorthodox approach is almost her undoing (impersonating your boss might not be one to try at home) but Tess overcomes and ends up with an executive position at a stellar company. So satisfying to see how persistence pays off!!

Flashdance

This classic 80’s movie (yes I’m dating myself again) is about Alex, played by Jennifer Beals, a poor young woman who is a welder by day and an exotic dancer at night -- all while dreaming about becoming a prima ballerina. Alex’s boyfriend pulls some strings to get her an invite to audition for a prestigious dance school, but it’s Alex who has to prove she’s got the right stuff. Of course she stumbles and falls at the beginning of her dance for the judges, but she gets back up -- as strong women do -- and delivers a super-creative and applause-worthy audition! Alex’s commitment to her dreams, discipline and endearing family ties to her chosen family of dancers and friends is utterly inspirational and I never grow tired of it!

9 to 5

Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin are heroes of mine off screen as well as on, standing up for causes they believe in and stunning us even as they get older -- so it’s fitting that back in 1982, their characters worked together to put one over on their boss -- most “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” on the planet! Not to mention implementing flexible hours, equitable pay and onsite daycare! These ladies are always an inspiration!  

Party Girl

In this 90s gem, the queen of indie films, Parker Posey, plays Mary - a free-spirited and empty-headed young woman who spends her money on fashion and throws loft parties to pay the rent. After getting arrested for throwing an illegal party, Mary has to call her godmother to bail her out, and then, to repay the loan, agrees to take an out-of-character job at the library. Once there, however, Mary starts to rise to the challenge, learning the Dewey Decimal System, reading some books, and eventually proving to herself and others that she’s more than just a party girl!