RUDY’S INSIGHTS FOR WINNING IN LIFE
Lessons For Discussion

Discuss the Four Life Success Principals and examples from the Movie RUDY.

CHARACTER - A person of character makes the choice to do the right thing.  They are responsible for their actions.  They maintain a positive attitude.  They encourage others to be their best.  They live by a strong value system and a solid unwavering belief system.  They show care and respect for other people and have high integrity.  They are fair, trustworthy, and a good citizen.

Examples from the movie:
(1) When Rudy made the decision to follow his Dream, he took responsibility and handled the consequences for that decision.  He didn’t go back and ask others to bail him out.  Instead he found out what he had to do to make his Dream happen and took action.  He focused on the positives instead of the problems and kept moving closer to his Dream. 

(2)  In the tunnel scene, the janitor reminds Rudy of his character.  He teaches him that he could lose everything that he stands for by quitting on his Dream because he feels sorry for himself.  Rudy lost sight of what he did accomplish and how much work he had to do to get there.  The janitor wanted Rudy to know that he is an example to all who know him and he must now live up to that.  His example will also inspire others to stand up and fight with character for their Dream.

COURAGE - A person of courage is humble yet shows the strength, fortitude, and discipline to stand by their convictions especially when under pressure to compromise their values.  They focus on the positive side of life and have the faith and determination to persevere when things get tough.  When they get knocked down they get back up.
 
Examples from the movie: 
(1) Rudy was rejected from Notre Dame several times.  After each rejection Rudy got more determined.  He kept his spirits up and tried again and again until he was finally accepted.

(2) It took a lot of courage for Rudy to step out on Faith and make the decision to go to Notre Dame with all odds against him.  Rudy took action then developed his plan as he moved closer to his Dream.

CONTRIBUTION - Giving back.
Using your talents in a positive manner to make a difference (no matter how big or small) for a particular purpose, which ultimately is of benefit to the whole.  Teamwork.

Examples from the movie: 
(1) Rudy went to practice everyday giving his whole heart and effort even though he didn’t play in the games.  By doing his best everyday, Rudy helped the players to prepare for the big games by making them perform and work hard at practice instead of just giving them an easy ride.  Remember the parking lot scene when Rudy’s teammate told him to cool it and stop making them all look bad. 

(2)  The team respected Rudy because of his hard work and commitment.  They contributed to Rudy’s Dream by giving up their jerseys so Rudy could dress for the final game.
COMMITMENT - Making the decision to follow through on a Dream, goal, idea, or mission regardless of the challenges and obstacles.  Staying on Track.

Examples from the movie: 
(1)  When Rudy made the commitment, new opportunities opened up for him - first Notre Dame, then football, then the famous tackle, the “carry off” - and today the movie, books, motivational speaking, and the Rudy Foundation - all came from a commitment to a Dream!  Rudy didn’t let the challenges stop him.  He kept moving forward until his Dream happened. 

(2)  Rudy made a commitment to get help with his studies from the tutor in order to get his grades up to get accepted to Notre Dame and reach his Dream.

LESSON 1
The Competitor’s Creed

READ: Page I
  Who was Theodore Roosevelt?
What is a “critic”?
Have you ever been a critic?
What kind of a person is “in the arena”? Who is not “in the arena”? Give examples.
What is the difference between a critic and someone “actually in the arena”?
When have you or someone you know been merely a critic?  When have you been in the arena?
When was Rudy the kind of person who
* “errs and comes up short again and again”?
* “knows the great enthusiasm”?
*“best knows in the end the triumph of high achievements”?
When have you ever erred and come up short?
How did you react when that happened?
Give some examples of what you think Theodore Roosevelt means by “high achievements.”

LESSON 2
Forward
READ: Page II
  Who is Tommy Lasorda?
What do you think Mr. Lasorda means by a “working-class background”?
Describe Rudy’s working-class background.
Compare Tommy Lasorda’s big dream with Rudy’s.
What does Mr. Lasorda mean by the American Dream?
Have you ever had a big dream like Rudy’s or like Tommy Lasorda’s?
How does Mr. Lasorda believe you should react when things go wrong?
Does Mr. Lasorda believe that the most important thing you need to achieve your big dream is lots of talent?
Tommy Lasorda states that his 1988 team consisted of “twenty-five Rudy’s.”
*What does he mean by that?
*Describe what he means by a “Rudy.”
*Name some of the specific attributes of a “Rudy.”
*Do you or someone you know have some of these attributes?

LESSON 3
introduction
READ: Pages III to V
  What does Rudy mean when he urges you to go for your Dreams?
What were some of Rudy’s dreams as a child?
Do you have similar dreams? Name some.
Does Rudy think you should be embarrassed for having almost silly dreams like that?
Why do our dreams as a child begin to fade?
What are some of the things that affect our belief in ourselves?
Name some of the specific things in your life over which you have control; name some other things over which you have no control.
Name some of the ways in which we get information. Do you have control over the ways in which you receive information?
Rudy says you probably can’t really be like Michael Jordan, but you can be like Rudy. What does he mean by that? In what specific ways are you like Rudy?
Suppose Rudy would have stopped having big dreams once he graduated from Notre Dame. Do you think you would even know who Rudy is? When do you think Rudy believes you should stop pursuing your big dreams?
At what age should you start chasing your big Dreams? At what age should you stop?