I love action movies. Among the notable ones that I have watched are The Bourne Identity and The Equalizer.
There are some aspects of the film which I find appealing, especially the way on how each character think. Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon is a CIA agent/assassin gone rogue, while Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) is a man of mystery with a hint of a dark past. Although we later learned that both were trained to kill, they are however portrayed as anti-heroes bent on setting things straight according to their respective moral compass.
We can see that both men are disciplined, having a narrow focus on what they should be doing and somehow, are always a few steps ahead from their pursuers. Yet both carried a different style; one is meticulous and plans before execution, while the other excels in improvising on the spot.
What can we learn from these characters?
The stopwatch approach
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington is seen taking time checks on his everyday routine. To him, time is a precise measurement to take stock of his movement. Doing so allows him to optimize his routine and enact the same behavior, thereby finding ways to improve.
Just like every exemplary professional, taking inventory of our resources, especially time improves our awareness of our capacity and incapabilities.
Now, doing the same thing every day is boring. Robert McCall seems to be a man who strives for perfection in his routine.
The “What’s Next?” mentality
In Jason Bourne, Matt Damon always seems to know what to do next, even though he hasn’t the slightest clue about his past. It felt like he was programmed to be decisive on the go and simply knew how to turn the tides to his favor.
In real life, we know that’s too good to be true.
What sets Jason Bourne apart is his mentality. Survival is either to fight or flight response, but never to freeze on the spot. In simple terms, he has a heightened awareness of what to do when a certain scenario crops up.
Heightened awareness is a state of mind where you are slightly alert to your surroundings. It increases sensitivity to your mind, without invoking paranoia.
Think of yourself as a bodyguard on duty with an escorting task. You will naturally become aware of your escape points, always on alert and looking at things out of the ordinary.
Heightened awareness sharpens the mind.
To me, I felt that it is a matter of asking oneself, “What’s the next action? and what’s next after doing that action?” One day we can be an expert in our domain, just like Jason Bourne.
For someone who doesn’t know what's going on, I think Jason Bourne is doing good so far.
Applying it to my routine
Today, I happened to have some free time for a jog during lunch. So I tried to apply the techniques from these men.
So, what should I do next?
- Ride to the stadium.
2. Change my jogging attire.
I went to my bike, start the stopwatch counter and ride until I reached the stadium.
It took me 10.45 minutes for the first attempt. This is the first time that I have some sort of an accurate measure of my travel from my workplace to Kallang Stadium. At least, now I know that my return trip, later on, will be about the same time.
Not bad.
I quickly transitioned to my jogging attire but I failed to think about the next action after I put on my Bluetooth earpieces for a jog.
A change in mindset has to be practiced and not something that we can change in a day.
Right after my jog, I tried to remind myself of the same question.
- Go take a shower.
- After you’re done, go and have your lunch.
I hit the stopwatch again. A shower took me 6.23. I smiled. I am beginning to get the hang of it.
Observations
I do feel that I am getting somewhere here, but I definitely need more time to see if this works.
But one thing I learned though is that being decisive and taking careful measurements of one’s time does make you feel in control and empowering.
“If you have an enemy, then learn and know your enemy, don’t just be mad at him or her.” — Denzel Washington.
What do you think? Thanks for reading.
