April 12, 2010 Matt Morris -
Written By Matt Morris -

Lessons From a Broken Escalator Commercial

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Motivational Monday #22

I came across this Becel commercial over the weekend while I was waiting to board my flight home after a leadership event.

At first, I wrote it off as a very interesting way to market margarine. Then I realized that there are actually a couple of pretty important success and leadership lessons hidden in this broken escalator commercial…

People who are serious about success take charge instead of waiting for help to arrive.

Unfortunately, lots of people expect the journey to success to be effortless, simple and smooth – kinda like riding an escalator. When their escalator breaks, they start stressing out and waiting for help instead of creating and following their own plan to reach the top.

We’ve all felt like we were stuck at some point in our life. The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is simple…

Successful people are willing to take charge of their life and create a plan for how they are going to reach the top.

Obstacles are really just opportunities in disguise.


They say you can always measure the character of a man by the size of the obstacle it takes to overcome him. I sincerely believe that we are never faced with an obstacle that is impossible to overcome.

Obstacles come into our life as gifts that are meant to refine our character. People who overcome obstacles in order to reach success experience a more fulfilling life and gain the ability to motivate others.

The next time you are facing an obstacle, look at it as an opportunity to enhance your success story. I promise it’ll make overcoming obstacles a breeze! :)

And, if you ever find yourself stuck on a broken escalator, think of it as an opportunity to get some unexpected exercise…

What did you learn from this broken escalator commercial? I’d love to hear your answer below in the comments section.

P.S. For more lessons on success and leadership, be sure to get your copy of my book, The Unemployed Millionaire, right here: http://www.MattMorris.com/book. (You’ll also receive over $2,000 worth of bonus personal development education and help me feed 5 hungry children!)

P.P.S. If you missed last week’s Motivational Monday, watch it here: What’s One Red Paper Clip Worth?

  • maryjanemyers

    ok first thing i thought was to start walking up the escalator about 2 seconds after it stopped- is that a good sign for me?? i think i have known people who complain and so non-self motivating that they would practically wait for the escalator to be fixed i think its our overall prospective on life — get it done or wait on someone else i very ,very much want to be trainable and coachable but also have to know how to pull my on self up and get going — thanks matt i have enjoyed these m.j.

  • Name

    Too unrealistic. Noone would stand on a broken escalator waiting for anyone in America.

  • jorge & adela

    wow! what a great video. What a great analogy in life, your can easily tell the people that want to succeed from the ones that are just not ready.

  • ejazlatib

    This reminds me of the saying you cannot follow a parked car.
    One has to be motivated and just keep up momentum!!

  • vaszbooks

    Hello Matt,

    Thank you for sharing this with us all… I believe that many of us, want things to happen automatic and not put an effort to gain what we mos want out of life.
    We have a new upcoming book being release soon and believe me the obstacles have been many, but we have learn that if we keep focus, motivated and keep the action moving in a daily basis, that's when you start getting automatic results.
    Once again, thank you for sharing this and all the motivational videos.

    God bless you and your family.

    Marvin

  • ronfrazier

    Thanks for your autograph friday evening, escaltors can only become stairs, but you have to decide to walk, or not. Your information you shared with us was invaluable. Thank you again. Looking foward to spending time on a beach somewhere with you and your family. Ron Frazier.

  • Anonymous

    I kept wondering why they didn’t just walk up, have they forgotten that they can walk?
    tu nokwe
    http://www.tunokwe.com
    http://www.youtube.com/tunokwe
    South Africa

  • http://howtomakemoneyinrecession.com/ How To Make Money In Recession

    Am I missing something here? If i’m stucked in an escalator, i will just
    moved my butt and just walk up the escalator….. By sitting there and wait for
    someone to repair the escalator, this is going to take hours….

    of course, in real life, there are many people who will always wait to get help
    from others before moving forward…. but many times, it is not difficult to
    do it yourself….

    Just move your butt and stop complaining!!

  • meera101

    Thank you ….Thats exactly what I needed this morning . Thats how I felt before watching the video.
    So thank you from South Africa.

  • http://www.unstoppableconfidencesecrets.com/ Gongyi

    A very interesting video. Both of them can choose to continue to walk when the escalator stopped. But they choose to wait for help, wait for the special one to fix their problem. They complained and frustrated. Isn’t it happens to most people? Thanks Matt for the video and the analogy in life.

  • gongyi

    A very interesting video. Both of them can choose to continue to walk when the escalator stopped. But they choose to wait for help, wait for the special one to fix their problem. They complained and frustrated. Isn't it happens to most people? Thanks Matt for the video and the analogy in life.

  • http://www.cindyeve.worldventures.biz/ Cindy @notjustagranny

    My goodness gracious me! I have been left with my mouth hanging open!!! Why didnt they just walk up the stairs. I realise that is the obvious conclusion, but even so……. Have we become so shuttered to problem solving! I dont know what else to say, I am sure on further reflection I will think of something. For now….I am amazed…do people really do that?

  • http://www.Jonathan-Quek.com Jonathan Quek

    Obstacles are Free Training Opportunities for us to get Better and ultimately, the BEST!

    http://www.Jonathan-Quek.com
    Greeting from Malaysia!

  • Wolfgang

    I never stand at an escalator. I ever walk up. Wether it works or broke. But I am not an Amercan. I am from Germany.

  • norbertkujan

    Super comparison. 100% true.

  • love

    Thanks Matt. The right message for the day. With the current economy, there is every excuses not to progress, or determine to keep give up trying or looking for other alternative. Thanks….will never give up!!

  • Kadawni

    I couldn’t believe they stood and then sat there waiting for someone to help. My instinct would have been to start walking to the top. This newsletter from you was so right on time. I’m at a point where of frustration and this reinforced some underying thoughts I’ve had. Thanks for the message!

  • http://www.stayhealthywithsusan.com Susan

    As I’m on the verge of a breakthrough in my own procrastination, this was just what I needed to see! And what you said about successful people taking charge and creating a plan…perfect for me today. Thank you!:)

  • doncarpenter

    WOW!! Thats a commercial. This just shows that if we get any lazier, we are going to slip into a coma.

  • http://mycomputerpaysme.com willie robertson

    Wow,

    What a lesson in life. We humans can become so dependent on systems, things and/or others that they can become crutches. Then when these crutches are no longer available we feel at a loss, or helpless.

    This touched on health related issues and showed how simply walking the rest of the way up the escalator could be good for the heart, (exercising). But I see people all the time standing still on life, with regards to life issues, be it health, wealth, life after a death of a loved one, a job loss, whatever.

    So many people get stuck on the escalator of life, waiting for others to come and solve their problems.

    A real leader finds answers to life's problems and goes around the obstacles that life brings.

    Although the escalator stopped working, a real leader would have continued forward on his journey to reach his/her final destination and would have likely invited the others to come along as well as help them, and if they weren't willing to move, he or she would have gone around, and on without them.

  • Brenda Quillen

    What I thought was interesting was that he immediately put his hand up, palm facing her, to hinder her from progressing up the escalator. If he wasn't willing to proceed, he also did not want her to proceed. Many times people try to hinder our progress in some way. And, what is worse, she obeyed his cue!! In other words, she was easily discouraged, and gave up her self determination to him. Sad, but often happens that way. This video is very good food for thought this week. Thanks Matt!

  • Hellen

    Very interesting advert. Its look so easy, just walk up, but again why do it when there is someone employed to make things right! And what does he do when he gets there, lol, am not paid to walk up the escalator! Or why tire ourselve by walking up, why not sue the company for a few dollars for the inconvenience. Funny thing is when applied in real life, we tend to look for someone to blame and solve our issues than taking the initiative and moving on. This is a real wake up call for me.

  • Mercy

    Interesting! While was watching the video i thought why cant they move on? I realised not everyone handles an obstacle the same way. Everybody has their own way of getting round it, over it or under it or simply just stop at where the hardship is!

  • lightness salema hauli

    thanks Matt, for a nice article!! i liked it especially on taking charge and facing the obstacles! stay blessed!!

  • http://www.BloomingDreams.ning.com Demisha

    Great video! I love that this video shows people how to take charge of their lives which can lead to success. It reminds us that we are in control of ourselves and it is each individual's responsibility to teach themself what they need to know to take action towards their dreams and goals.

  • http://www.knasolutions.net Minnie Titus-Glover

    Wow, looking at it from this perspective is very interesting. It says it all.

  • http://www.knasolutions.net Minnie Titus-Glover

    Wow, looking at it from this perspective is very interesting. It says it all.

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  • http://www.michellealpha.com Michalpha

    Oh my that commercial when I saw it seriously cracked me up and so real at the same time!