6+2 Things to learn from Iron Man

6+2 life lessons from Iron Man

So I saw Iron Man and I was thinking, besides enjoying the movie (a lot), is there anything I/we can learn from it.  So here’s my list – feel free to add your own:

1)    When in a desperate situation, never give up.  Granted it helps when it’s a movie and you can edit the script, but remember, anything is possible.
2)    Make the most of any situation.  So you have a hole in your chest and you need a small nuclear reactor to keep you alive – build a Super Hero.  Personally, I lost 2 fingers when I was three; so I learned how to be ambidextrous and I have become very hard to guard in basketball.
3)    Take risks – the greatest ideas in history were either accidents or risks.  We do not fly on 747s because it was common wisdom that we could do so.
4)    Style matters – so If I just built ‘Iron Man’ and it actually worked, I don’t know if I would care what color it was.  But the reality is that at times, the clothes do make the man.  Don’t believe me – picture your favorite car – now paint it Hot Pink – still cool?
5)    Spotting the evil genius – All bald men with beards are evil – like Dr. Andrew Weil.
6)    Girls remember EVERYTHING – so you just saved the world from an evil genius, almost died, you’re a billionaire and your assistant/crush/girlfriend remembers that you forgot to get her a drink.  For the love of G-d - cut the man some slack!

And for the bonus:

Lessons to learn from Robert Downey Jr.

1)    There is redemption for almost any situation.  A number of years ago Robert Downey was in jail, a drug addict, etc.. Now he is married, a father, and back as one of the biggest movie stars in the world.
2)    Your first attempt at a comeback should be to get back to zero, not a 100.  Robert Downey settled in with a movie like Charlie Bartlett before he went for the blockbuster.  It helps reset people’s expectations.