The Pursuit of Happyness (Movie explained in 5 minutes)

Self Improvement
9 Jul 202205:14

Summary

TLDRIn 1981, Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman in San Francisco, invested his life savings in a bone density scanner, leading to financial ruin. Desperate, he pursued a career in stockbroking, enrolling in a competitive internship at Dean Witter Reynolds. Despite numerous setbacks, including homelessness and imprisonment, Gardner's resilience paid off as he secured a position and later founded his own investment firm, embodying a classic rags-to-riches tale.

Takeaways

  • 💼 Chris Gardner invested his life savings in a bone density scanner, which turned out to be a costly mistake.
  • 🏥 He faced financial hardship as the medical community did not see the value in the scanners he was selling.
  • 🚶‍♂️ Chris encountered a stockbroker who inspired him to pursue a career in finance.
  • 📈 He enrolled in the competitive trainee program at Dean Witter Reynolds, knowing the odds were against him.
  • 🔄 Chris impressed Jay Twissel, a manager at Dean Witter, by solving a Rubik's cube, which led to his internship.
  • 💔 His wife, Linda, left him during his financial struggles, adding to his personal challenges.
  • 📚 Despite being jailed for unpaid parking tickets, Chris managed to attend his internship interview the next day.
  • 🏡 He and his son experienced homelessness, living in shelters and even a train station bathroom at one point.
  • 💡 Chris had to sell his last functioning scanner to survive, and a malfunctioning one to pay for living expenses.
  • 🏦 He passed the stockbroker license exam and was eventually offered a position as a stockbroker at Dean Witter.
  • 💰 Chris Gardner's story is a true rags-to-riches tale, showing that resilience and determination can overcome adversity.

Q & A

  • What was Chris Gardner's initial investment in 1981?

    -Chris Gardner invested his entire life savings in osteonational bone density scanners.

  • Why did the investment in bone density scanners fail?

    -The investment failed because most doctors regarded the scanners as an unnecessary luxury and Chris couldn't sell any for quite a while.

  • What financial difficulties did Chris face as a result of his investment?

    -Chris faced severe monetary issues, falling behind on rent and unable to pay taxes, which burdened both him and his wife.

  • What inspired Chris to become a stockbroker?

    -Chris was inspired by a stockbroker he saw living the life he desperately wanted.

  • How competitive was the broker trainee program at Dean Witter Reynolds?

    -The program was very competitive, taking only 20 people every six months and offering only one job at the end.

  • How did Chris impress Jay Twissel, the lead manager of Dean Witter Reynolds?

    -Chris impressed Jay Twissel by solving a Rubik's cube, which earned him a spot as an intern stockbroker.

  • Why did Chris's wife, Linda, decide to leave him?

    -Linda had had enough and decided to leave Chris due to their financial struggles and the stress it was causing.

  • What was the condition of Chris's appearance when he attended his stockbroker interview?

    -Chris attended his interview in shabby clothes after being released from jail for unpaid parking tickets.

  • What challenges did Chris face during his unpaid six-month internship?

    -During his internship, Chris had to survive without wages, take care of his son, study for the stockbroker license exam, make sales calls, and sell his scanners.

  • How did Chris manage to survive financially while being homeless?

    -Chris survived by selling his scanners, donating plasma for money, and staying at homeless shelters.

  • What was the turning point for Chris in his career at Dean Witter?

    -The turning point was when he was told he had been an excellent trainee and was offered a position as an official stockbroker.

  • What did Chris Gardner achieve after his time at Dean Witter?

    -After beginning his career at Dean Witter, Chris Gardner founded the investment firm Gardner Rich in 1987 and later sold a minority stake in his brokerage firm in a multi-million dollar deal.

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Etiquetas Relacionadas
Stockbroker JourneySalesman StruggleFinancial HardshipPerseveranceTrue StorySan Francisco1980s EraInspirationalRags to RichesEntrepreneurship
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