7 Productivity Lessons to Learn from Your Favourite Animated Characters
- Adilla
- Nov 6
- 4 min read
Inspiration can come from many forms, including animated movies and series. It might seem odd to gain life lessons from ‘cartoons’. However, you’ll be surprised to know that even driving awareness towards social change is driven by the animated movie Wall-E (2008), with its outlook towards environmental issues.
With that thought, it is possible to learn things like productivity lessons from animated characters or even life lessons from Disney movies (which is something a lot of adults who grew up with Disney would agree on).
Here are inspirational cartoon character productivity tips in different animated shows:
Table of Contents
7 Productivity Lessons from Animated Characters
SpongeBob SquarePants
This loveable yellow sea sponge has a can-do attitude that inspires the people around him to love their job. To a lot of people, he may seem annoying and ridiculous. But his simple job of being a fry cook teaches us a lesson of passion and enthusiasm.
His repetitive work builds up a routine where he slowly perfects his craft, becoming a Krabby Patty expert that no other person can replicate. Sending a message to the audience that mastering your craft needs consistency, and by showing up repetitively for your work, you can refine your own craft.
Other than that, SpongeBob demonstrates a clear boundary between work and play. Despite his playful attitude, he knows how to divide his time. His love and passion as a fry cook don’t stop him from finding time to rest and play, a trait that all creatives should learn to protect their creative energy.
Shikamaru from Naruto
Although often perceived as lazy, Shikamaru actually knows how to work smarter, not harder. What appears to be procrastination is, in truth, his way of practising self-preservation. He understands the importance of being strategic with his tasks while also being aware of his limitations.
When working smart on your tasks, you save not only time but also energy (and your projects’ budgets). Implementing a good strategy when delegating tasks or managing a project to prioritise productivity, a trait not expected to be learnt from a character like Shikamaru. However, his view of working smarter is an important skill in project management.
Baymax from Big Hero 6
Baymax's main duty as a healthcare companion is to prioritise the well-being of not only himself but also the people around him, even in high-stakes situations. He doesn't solely focus on physical health; there are times when he also offers therapy.
This teaches the audience the importance of prioritising both mental and physical health before undertaking any tasks.
Dory from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory
Dory’s short attention span may be seen as a flaw, but she turns it into an advantage with her motto, "Just Keep Swimming." This phrase highlights her determination and action-oriented mindset.
While her tendency to avoid planning might be concerning, it underscores the importance of seizing opportunities rather than waiting for the perfect moment to take action.
Remy from Ratatouille
This tiny chef teaches us to embrace a growth mindset as we perform our tasks. To achieve better productivity, you must demonstrate dedication and effort. His effort also comes with the willingness to be innovative and experimental, as he did with his recipes.
Thus, when you perform your creative tasks, allow yourself to experiment and let your innovative ideas be driven by your instinct. Remy’s character encourages viewers to always let their creative flow run even when limitations come their way and trust that their abilities will show through.
Po from Kung Fu Panda
This fighting panda gives a lesson in embracing your own unique strength and abilities. As he trains to become the Dragon Warrior, he consistently shows up despite his imperfections, imparting a powerful lesson on how, without consistency, our efforts can be futile.
Mike Wazowski and Sulley from Monsters, Inc.
This green monster believes that being prepared and organised is the foundation for success. As he helps lead and guide Sulley to become the best monster, he trains him with discipline and keeps a consistent schedule.
Especially in the movie, Sulley is considered to be one of the best monsters, so staying true to your plans and showing up for your work is also showing up for yourself.
Key Takeaways
This unconventional method of learning about productivity entertains while helping you retain information better.
Knowing productivity hacks from movies can be odd, but something as simple as knowing Dory using her short attention span to her advantage teaches others who struggle with a similar trait when performing tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Other than productivity, what else do animated shows teach the audience?
Other than productivity, depending on which animated shows you are watching, the audience can learn a lot of things.
For example, other than a growth mindset, Remy from Ratatouille teaches the audience to stay true to their passion and do things that they love despite the challenges and adversities.
Are animated shows only catered to a specific type of audience?
No, animated shows are not catered to a specific type of audience unless they are age-restricted. Animated shows are not only for children, as there are many types of shows catered to different genres and focuses.
Author Bio
With a background in Arts English, Adilla has been a casual writer for various hobbies, like parodies of animated shows and plots for board games. She loves to read anything and everything from fantasy stories to articles on tips and tricks.
Now an advocate for mental health and effective project management for the creative industry. Currently, Adilla resides in Malaysia and is a creative writer at TESSR. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.
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