Hard to believe a movie can inspire a life change. But it’s true. Over time , the spark lit a fire that led to university and embarking on a career in academia. Through it all I learned the value of percolation and preparation. Hoping my story might encourage you on your career path and making any changes required along the way.

Changing Work Places

At the age of 18, I, like many young people, stumbled my way into the adult world of work. Having failed my university entrance exams, I ventured into a series of different jobs. My career started in an unlikely place—as a possum factory worker. If you can imagine a dirtier, smellier job, I’d love to hear about it! It was as tough as it sounds and taught me quite a few life lessons about perseverance.

After enduring the dodgy aroma of possums, I moved on to telecommunications. For a couple of years, I worked as a lineman (sic) —a position known for its physically demanding work, either perched on a ladder against a pole while leaning back on safety harnesses several meters up in the air, or joining cables in a damp pit in the ground. Eventually, my path led me to sales, where I added persuasion to a growing list of communication skills and began to see a different future.

The Movie That Changed Everything

During my mid-20s, I attended a movie screening that rekindled an old fire I thought had long died. The film is Educating Rita, featuring Michael Caine as a crusty old professor named Frank Bryant and Julie Walters as Rita— or rather, Susan—a woman also in her mid-20s hungry for a change through education. This film wasn’t just a couple of hours of entertainment; it was a catalyst for change. For Susan, the inspiration for a life change came from reading popular fiction and from dissatisfaction with ‘the songs sung around her’.

Did you find a better song to sing? No, you found a different song, that's all.

This quote from the movie resonated with me. It planted a seed that later grew into a decision to pursue higher education. “How is that?”, you say. Well, we all have to find our own career song that satisfies, that makes us want to keep going when it’s tough. Not a better song than others’, only for us. Something like marching to the beat of our own drum. It was not an overnight transformation but a gradual realization that my long-buried desire to study was possible.

The Long Road to University

Becoming a student was not an immediate decision. It took a personal business disaster to finally push me onto the academic path. Sometimes, our biggest setbacks give birth to the most significant changes.

In my late 20s, I was still nursing the dream. By 30, I had taken the plunge, enrolled in university, and began my academic journey. This move was not just a career shift; it was a life shift prompted by a deep-seated aspiration revitalized by a movie.

Percolation and Preparation: Steps Toward Change

Here’s what my journey taught me: change often starts with a dream that needs time to percolate, to filter through like coffee until it becomes something substantial. Even if life commitments delay it, a dream can persist.

Percolation

Allowing a dream to percolate is crucial. It’s like letting coffee brew until it’s rich and ready to drink. This metaphor for dreams emphasizes patience. Life’s responsibilities don’t always allow for immediate change, but that’s okay. Let the dream simmer until the right time comes.

Preparation

Eventually, dreams require action. They need preparation. As an academic, I came across a reputed quote often misattributed to Abraham Lincoln: “I will study, I will prepare, and my opportunity will come.” Regardless of the author, the wisdom stands. Preparations transform dreams into reality. Life may test your resolve, but once you commit and take preparatory steps, opportunities arise.

Reflecting on the Journey

Do you have a movie or a book that inspired a significant change in your life? I’d love to hear your story, so feel free to share in the comments below. These kinds of stories remind us that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places and lead to life-changing decisions.

Join the Conversation!

If this post resonated with you, consider subscribing to my Communicare Communities youtube channel and let me know in the comments which topics you want to explore. This blog and channel are about more than a personal journey—it’s about exploring professional communication in all its forms. In another post, 105 Powerful Skills & Ideas for Communication Strategies from a Mythical Town, I use the metaphor of town public and commercial spaces to discuss the many ways communication is taught and practiced.

Whether it’s environmental communication, policy communication, public relations, or the myriad other forms—each plays a part in shaping our lives. In forthcoming posts, we’ll dive into these fields and unpack theories like the Circuit of Culture and the problem of stereotypes, which we’ll explore in depth next time.

Remember, stereotypes, even the positive ones, can be harmful. Stay tuned for a discussion on common sense rules surrounding these perceptions.

If you found this post insightful, please like and share it! Let’s keep the dialogue open here at Communicari Communities.

Thank you for reading, and until next time—stay inspired!