The live-action photorealistic remake of The Lion King starring Daniel Glover and Beyoncé has just been released to mixed reviews. But whichever side of the ‘should this classic really have been remade’ debate you are on, one thing is for sure, you will learn some hard-hitting, overlooked lessons from The Lion King. Apart from the obvious Hakuna Matata (what a wonderful phrase!), here are the eight most overlooked lessons from The Lion King that you can use in your direct selling journey.
1. Courage has never been about the absence of fear.
At the beginning of the movie, Mufasa, King of Pride Rock, humbly confessed to his son that he was scared of the thought of losing him. This scene is a reminder that being brave is acknowledging your fears, but not letting them stop you from your responsibilities – whether it is to your company, your family or even yourself. V Partner Donna Imson-Lecaroz once said that she let her fears drive her to success. Once she feared that she could not provide for her family. This fear drove her to give direct selling everything she got and brought her to success.
2. Envy is a horrible green-eyed monster, so don’t feed it.
While Scar seemed like an intelligent creature, his unchecked envy led his hatred and resentment grow and grow, until that was all he felt. Envy gives birth to hate and resentment. If you find yourself envying a fellow Direct Seller’s success, let their success be an inspiration to push you further. Learn from how they achieved their success and you can learn from their journey. Trust that everyone has different journeys to success, and so, if you keep working on your own success, your time will come.
3. When you fall from grace, don’t blame others.
As seen in the movie, the end of Scar was not when Simba cast him away. His failure began when he didn’t take responsibility for his own failure. He blamed his teammates, the hyenas instead. However, it is a fact that sabotaging each other is not going to make a team succeed. Instead, nurture a healthy competitive spirit and push each other to reach greater heights.
4. Taking a short break from your problems can be good for you sometimes.
One of the many lessons from The Lion King is the importance of taking a break when the problems in your life are too intense. When Simba ran away from home, he took a break from being in the eye of the storm. He met Timon and Pumbaa, learned how to relax, and grew up far away from the issues that plagued Pride Rock – far enough to eventually forgive himself for what happened and be a better lion for it. While direct selling is not full of murderous uncles, the obstacles can seem daunting and unconquerable. Remind yourself to do a Simba and take a step back. Take a look at the whole picture because most of the time, the solutions are right under your noses.
5. Losing someone will always hurt.
This is a universal truth no matter how old or experienced you are. The pain felt when Nala and Sarabi lost Simba, or when Simba (and everyone else) lost Mufasa, was unbearable. And yet, the lions never once left each other’s side through the pain. In the end, that pain of loss made them a stronger team, leading them to help Simba defeat Scar. Direct Selling is much the same. Losing a teammate or a potential prospect is hard, but you have got to rally together, stay strong and go after those goals no matter what. While prospecting, learn what you can and move on to the next prospect.
6. The most unlikely of friends can be the best ones you’ll ever have.
Who would’ve thought a lion would end up being best friends with a meerkat and a warthog? The unlikely trio is proof that there are a lot of things that true friendship can weather. Surround yourself with friends who lift you higher and support you no matter what. Timon and Pumbaa stood by Simba’s side at all times, even if it meant they had to fight a bunch of scary hyenas. Find your tribe, and success will be yours for the taking
7. Love doesn’t give up on you, even when you have given up on yourself.
When Nala arrived and insisted that Simba go back to Pride Rock, she wasn’t just reminding him of who he was and who he was destined to be. She was showing him that she hasn’t given up on him, that she truly believed in him. Being part of a direct selling team is the same. You are there to show your team who they are, to encourage them when things are tough and to always have their backs!
8. Always remember who you are.
This might be the most obvious of all the lessons, but also the easiest to forget. How many times have you abandoned the idea of who you are for another person, ideal, or even a situation? Ultimately, The Lion King has is a lesson that the best thing you can ever be is your true and complete self. And even when you sometimes doubt yourself, remember the potential blue diamond star that is within you. Be 100% you.
And there you have it, the life lessons from The Lion King that are often overlooked. What did you think of the movie? And most importantly, which of these lessons do you feel you can use in your direct selling journey? Leave a comment and let us know!
