"Play the Sunset" and Succeed in Life

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"Play the Sunset" and Succeed in Life

"Play the Sunset." This is the inspirational advice that fictional music teacher, Glen Holland (actor, Richard Dreyfus) offers his musically-challenged student, Gertrude Lang (actress, Alicia DeWitt) in the popular film "Mr. Holland's Opus."

Holland's brilliantly constructed three-word metaphor magically connects with Gertrude and inspires her to improve her clarinet playing. It's all about passion leading to exemplary performance.

There are those that sleep walk through life. They basically work to get paid and then go home to eat and sleep. In between, most do just enough to maintain their own status quo. The work seems to get done, but with little evidence of energy, pride, personal enrichment or enjoyment. It all comes off as very uninspired and mechanical and their daily job attendance pollutes BOTH the work and customer environments.

Deborah Becker, a State Farm agent in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, says that the majority of applicants she sees at her officeregardless of ageseem unable to project warmth and kindness, especially crucial in the service business. This seems consistent with what many of us have been observing in the workforce the past several years.

How many cashiers do you encounter that really care whether you "have a good day" or not? Do you really think that the customer service representative reading from an impersonal script is really hoping that there is "something else she can do for you, today?" Ever notice how the seemingly emotionless pharmacy technician takes a few steps back from the counter after telling you that your insurance company won't cover your critical prescription medication? There are also Doctors that snap at their patients for asking what they think are "dumb" questions. How about lawyers, who offer their clients less than helpful advice to avoid extra work on particularly difficult cases? And, let's not forget the manager, who finds ways to de-motivate employees that are especially energetic and praise-worthy, only because he or she doesn't want to be showed-up for not exhibiting those outstanding qualities himself or herself?

These days, it is very rare to find someone, who is so passionate about his or her job that he or she truly cares about what they are doing; how well they are doing it and who they are doing it to benefit and satisfy. Such unenthusiastic people may be able to play a few of "Mr. Holland's" musical notes, but they resist "playing the sunset." Instead, they chose to remain uninspired and it clearly shows in the quality and quantity of their work. It also is rather evident in their level of interaction with co-workers and customers, by their lack of warmth and interest in other people. And, whose fault is all this?

Passion can't be taught, but it certainly can be brought out through inspiration. Like a snake charmer playing soothing tune on his flute; parents, teachers, employers and mentors need to inspire their youthful understudies to discover their own personal "sunsets" and play them out loud with feeling. They need to "play the sunset" in school, at work and in every endeavor they are honestly (to themselves) passionate about.

"Do this and do that" hasn't cut it in the workplace for a very long time. Where is the self-actualization in such robotic commands? Ohmany people will still obey and "do this and do that," if they desperately need a paycheck and especially if they don't see their jobs as anything more than work for pay. When "Mr. Holland" asks his student "is it any fun?" he tugs at the essence of the meaning of life.

When "it isn't any fun" people are miserable at their work. They will only "do this and that," and not one thing more to please anyone including them. This usually means a lackluster performance during whatever the effort may be and poor customer service for anyone unfortunate enough to cross paths with the unhappy employee. Everyone suffers.

When passionate motivations are coaxed from deep within an individual's soul at any stage of life, the cause and effects are generally much more positive. We excel when we love what we do. And, once we learn how good doing what we enjoy feels, we develop a positive outlook that governs us for the remainder of our lives. The positive reinforcement that comes with enjoying what we do and receiving constant praise for it is a magical elixir chicken soup for the soul.

In "Mr. Holland's Opus," Gertrude Lang learned to "play the sunset" as a teenager. We can assume that the confidence she gained from mastering the clarinet, further inspired her to eventually run for governor in her adult years. Those who have seen the movie know that she wins and appears much more poised and confident than she did while struggling to learn the clarinet.

And, this is not just the stuff of fiction. There are many real life stories in which real people have "played the sunset."

There is a real life Daniel Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger, who clawed his way to a Notre Dame Education and eventual football playing assignment. There is a real life Erin Brockovich, who refused to struggle in poverty and chose to become a successful legal clerk and environmental activist. Her hard work and determination has gained her many lucrative speaking engagements and has also earned her several honorary doctorates from American universities. And, then there is US Congressman John Boehner. Boehner grew up sharing one bathroom with his eleven siblings. He worked hard in his family's bar and then, worked as a janitor. John Boehner is about to be sworn in as speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He was passionate about politics; just as small-statured "Rudy" Ruettiger was passionate about playing football for Notre Dame; and inexperienced Erin Brockovich is about helping people sickened by exposure to toxic chemicals.

All of these people learned to "play the sunset" and they have lived life to its fullest. In "playing the sunset," they each followed their own passions and excelled at what they loved best. And, when someone excels at what they love doing the most, who benefits along with them? The people that they work for, work with, come home to, serve and see in the mirror. That's just about everyone.

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