Image credit: lzf
Rudy: Inspiring or Misleading?
I love underdog stories - Rocky, Hoosiers, the Karate Kid, and more!
One of my favorites is “Rudy.” It’s based on the true the story of a young man who has a relentless dream to play football for Notre Dame, despite being undersized and not that good. He doesn’t even get accepted into Notre Dame.
Through sheer force of will and relentless persistence, he eventually gets into Notre Dame, joins the football team’s practice squad, gets himself a spot as an official player in one game, and actually gets to take the field for a couple of plays!
It’s the ultimate feel-good movie; a testament to the idea that if you want something badly enough and never give up, you can achieve anything.
But is that really true?
Let’s take a step back. Rudy Ruettiger fought against every possible obstacle—his size, his talent level, his academic struggles—and kept pushing forward despite constant rejection.
In the end, yes, he made it onto the field for a few glorious moments, and that alone is seen as proof that his relentless pursuit paid off.
But sometimes I wonder: should he have given up or adapted his plan at some point?
The Balancing Act: Adaptation vs. Persistence
Look, my whole schtick is about change and adaptability. How rigidly sticking to a plan when conditions change, obstacles arise, or setbacks happen, can be a recipe for frustration and failure.
The principle of “yes, and” from improv isn’t about giving up easily—it’s about recognizing when the moment calls for a pivot, when an obstacle isn’t just a challenge to overcome, but a sign to shift direction.
On the other hand, there’s an entire philosophy around relentless discipline and refusing to quit (like Rudy Ruettiger now talks about). Many of the world’s most successful people—from elite athletes to entrepreneurs—credit their achievements to the fact that they didn’t adapt when faced with obstacles. They pushed through, no matter what.
So Which is Right?
The real challenge is knowing when to adapt and when to push forward. Do you fight through the setbacks because your goal is worth every ounce of effort? Or do you step back and acknowledge that maybe this isn’t the right path, and a shift in strategy—or even a total redirection—is the smarter move?
I’ll admit, I don’t have a perfect answer. I’m still working through it (and I hope to get some ideas from you).
But I do believe this:
- If you’re grinding endlessly without joy, without progress, and without any real hope of change, maybe it’s time to “Yes, And” your situation.
- If your pursuit of a goal is causing harm—to your well-being, your relationships, your opportunities—perhaps a new approach is in order.
- On the other hand, if you know deep down that the struggle is part of what makes it meaningful, and that the pursuit itself is fulfilling, then maybe persistence is exactly what’s needed.
To paraphrase one of my favorite Stephen King quotes, “Ask yourself, am I enjoying writing? The answer doesn’t always have to be ‘yes,’ but if it’s always ‘no,’ it may be time to move on to something else.”
How do you draw the line between adaptation and relentless pursuit? Share your thoughts with me, and let me know if there is anything I can help you with!