Fantastic Truths (About Fulfilment) and Where to Find Them

The new Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald film has taken the magical world by storm, so of course, we couldn’t help but pull some valuable lessons from it! For a franchise that is so baffling in its complexity, you’d be surprised that there are some vital career tips that subtly underscore this much-awaited sequel. If your career journey so far has proved to be as, as the plot of The Crimes of Grindelwald, you might want to keep reading…

(WARNING: Minor spoilers ahead).

1. Passion is the core ingredient to motivation in your career

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Newt Scamander is constantly making career decisions based on what he loves to do most. Whether it be dedicating his entire life to studying magical creatures, or travelling the globe, he has done everything in the name of passion.

One of the key takeaways from this is that the only away to stay motivated and achieve great things is to pursue the projects and types of jobs that you are excited about. Allow this sense of passion to act as your compass. This is better than condemning yourself to a life of dragging yourself out of bed every morning for a degree or job you have no love for.

2. Your idea of fulfilment may not align with someone else’s

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At the beginning of The Crimes of Grindelwald, we find Newt being pressured to work for the Ministry of Magic, despite the success of his published book. Most of the other characters don’t understand or see the point of his desire to document magical beasts they deem “dangerous”. There will be countless people with contrasting opinions to your own regarding your future plans. It’s important to stay in touch with your own values and needs in the midst of this avalanche of career advice snowballing your way.

Fulfilment is subjective and distinct for each individual. Like every one of us, each character has different ideas about what will make them happy in their careers. The adventurous Newt views Aurors (magical police officers) as “career-driven hypocrites”, while Ministry workers like Theseus are inclined to think that Newt lacks direction in his own career.

Lesson learnt? Another person’s vision of success will not necessarily be the key to your own. Don’t let others dictate what you “should” be doing with your life.

3. Some jobs are a means to an end

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It sounds brutal, but it’s true. Just like how not every romantic partner is your soulmate, not every job will be “the one”. Newt initially accepted a desk job at the Ministry of Magic to be able to support himself until eventually pursuing his passion project in New York. Facing his fear of working a 9 to 5 desk job paved the way for him to write his book on beasts he encountered along his travels. Accepting a position as a stepping stone is not giving up on your passion – quite the opposite!

4. Being different is a superpower – use it!

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One of the first things that strikes you about Newt Scamander is his peculiarity. Whether he’s letting out a loud mating call to attract an Erumpent or tracking his friends by tasting the floor, he’s constantly acting outside the realm of normal. And why not? Being true to yourself is what makes you unique.

Not only will your differences help attract future employers, but they can also lead to the elusive – yet satisfying – goal of fulfilment.

Featured image courtesy of SlashFilm