Do you ever think about your favorite movie as a kid and wonder why it was your favorite?
Did your favorite movie also give you clues as to who you were and what you were meant to do & be? (Or is this just me ;) ). I fully believe that the things we are attracted to give us clues into our passion and our purpose.
Lately I have been reflecting on my favorite childhood movie, the 80’s classic - Troop Beverly Hills (TBH). As a kid, I could recite this movie word for word.
What was it about this movie and why did I love it so much?
After much reflection, here's the top 10 reasons why it was my favorite and why it will continue to guide me as a woman, and as a woman in business in a leadership position:
Phyllis Nefler, (played by Shelley Long) the troops “fearless leader” was unapologetically herself. From her wild outfits, to her consistency in “showing up” completely as herself. She never once changed who she was to fit in. Thanks Phyllis for teaching me that it's okay to be me. I CAN be glamorous AND sexy AND kind AND brilliant AND driven AND vulnerable AND fierce.
The underdog troop attended the annual jamboree and despite many challenges and having to make a tough moral decision that would cost them the win, in a twist, it was ultimately that decision that enabled them to win. They lead with their hearts and won! This is integrity at its core. Thanks TBH for showing me that when you do the right thing, things will always work out the way they should in the end.
The troop was compiled of a bunch of rich, Beverly Hills kids who would appear to “have it all.” But even with all their riches, they were still people who struggled with feelings of self doubt & worthlessness. They were the outcasts in this film & still had hurt feelings when “the red feathers laughed in their faces.” This is a perfect example that shows us, it doesn’t matter where we come from, we are all fundamentally the same. Oh, and words hurt!
The troop members were all very unique people with their own talents, strengths & backgrounds complimenting & empowering each other in the group. From posh & guarded Chica, all the way to eccentric Tessa, they came together & connected, learning from each other, and ended up growing themselves & those around them. Here is where I learned the power of finding your tribe. You can’t elevate yourself without the help of others and the same goes for everyone else.
They didn’t need “no stinking patches.” At a moment of their lowest, being embarrassed & humiliated for making their own patches, they were faced with a decision to either rise above and accept the cookie challenge or quit. They chose to not back down when the going got tough and took this opportunity to challenge themselves. Not only did they accept the challenge but they went over and above with a stretch goal of 2000 boxes!
When it was time to sell those cookies, they had to get creative as heck because the red feathers had already gone door to door in their own Beverly Hills area. Anyone who knows me, might guess that this just might be my favorite business lesson of the movie: 1) Your competition will do anything they can to win, even if it means doing things that may be questioned as “unethical” but that are still considered “fair game.” 2) You have to get creative in how you market. In order to beat the competition you need to think differently than what the industry might currently be doing to attract sales. 3) Leverage your own unique skills, knowledge & connections. And this is exactly what the troop did and sold double what they said they would! When most troops are going door to door, this troop staged a fabulous “cookie time” performance and hosted a couture cookie & fashion event with the one and only Robin Leach. #fabulous
Sing Kumbaya when you're getting rained on & have fallen in the mud. The scene of Phyllis with tears & mud on her face, holding hands with her troop, and singing kumbaya is a great lesson for us all in vulnerability. When times are crappy, its okay to feel it. Feel it, lean into it, lean on your tribe, and then move on by booking a fabulous room at the Beverly Hills Hotel! Also a great lesson in picking yourself up by doing something you love. #selfcare
You can still be a wilderness girl and not actually sleep in the wilderness! Seriously! This is where taking old traditions and making them your own is okay! It doesn’t make the purpose of what you’re doing any ”less than.” Even though the troops camp was rained out, the purpose of connecting together was still achieved with the comforts of the Beverly Hills Hotel, complete with the same scary campfire stories (even if they are a little unorthodox ) & who could forget the appearance by Pee Wee Herman.
When the evil Troop Superintendent, Velda, hired Annie to spy on TBH, the kind hearted Phyllis welcomed Annie with open arms. What an incredible lesson in opening up your heart & tribe to others, even if they may be allied with the people who want to see you fail.
And finally, do the ”Freddie” - if you can’t laugh & have fun through it all, then what’s the point?! :)
I could add a million more lessons from this movie. Every scene makes my heart burst & internally scream “Yes! Yes!” If you have seen it, what parts & lessons did I miss? And if you haven’t seen this movie....get it on your list and channel your inner 10 year old impressionable self.
I also want to hear what your favorite movie was as a kid and what it taught you about life & yourself! Let me know in the comments below or tag me in your Instagram if you make a post about it!
P.S. Also, check out this article that will indulge your TBH heart: https://www.google.ca/amp/s/people.com/movies/20-life-lessons-we-learned-from-troop-beverly-hills/amp/
