Homer Simpson

Is there anyone else quite like Homer Simpson?

An hilariously overweight buffoon you might say – but have a look at the real Homer.

If you want to lead an interesting and challenging life you don’t have to look any further for inspiration.

I’m not talking about the Homer who is obsessed with making the perfect butt grove in his couch.

I’m talking about the slightly deranged yet heroic Homer Simpson who will try anything – he’ll take action with no fear about the consequences that lie ahead.

We could all learn a little from Homer.  Forget the boorish lazy behaviour he so effortlessly characterises and look at his excitement and will to try something different.  He has tried 188 jobs in the first 400 episodes – some of the all time classics include going to space as a NASA astronaut, taking up studies at clown college to be like Krusty the Clown and becoming Sanitation Commissioner.

Homer acts before thinking, gives it his all, and quite often suffers the consequences.

Our relationship with Homer

The really interesting thing about Homer is that as a blue-collar ‘everyman’, we can all identify with him to some level – or we know someone like it.  That makes it easy for us each to take our own insights from Homer and his adventures.  The statire is particularly cutting with Homer.

We can all appreciate that Homer suffers from a severe lack of planning.  He doesn’t really think about the danger of impulsive behaviour.  But he rarely backs away from a challenge, and endears himself by being the lovable dope that has done it all.  He certainly has no malice, the problem with him is usually his lack of foresight.

The most obvious message we take from Homer is to do a little planning before committing.

There’s a hidden message embedded here too

Homer is truly a man of action.  He is willing to take action without fear or worry getting in his way. Homer doesn’t let anything like that creep into his mind.

Where would we be without people taking risks like Homer who becomes a minor-league baseball mascot, monorail conductor, astronaut – or grease salesman?

Well, we might all be like Marge Simpson (or worse, Maud Flanders. When asked what sort of ‘nonfat ice milk’ she wanted, requested: “Unflavoured for me!”).

Marge Simpson

Talented, hardworking housewife.  Flirts briefly with a life outside of TV mom but inevitably falls back in line.

Let’s get one thing straight – Marge is a great home maker, and always puts her family before herself.  But she rarely steps outside her comfort zone to take a risk doing something she loves.  She has on occasion let her blue hair down to follow her dreams – for example when she joins the police force, or runs her own pretzel wagon, but she disapproves and worries.  This isn’t a bashing of Marge.  It’s not easy for the mother of a family quite like the Simpsons – but she epitomises those of us who doubt ourselves and don’t give ourselves enough backing to take action.

Let Homer be your guide to taking action – and plan just a little more when you do it!

Enjoy this? If you want to take action, subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to free email updates for The New Man Of Action!