In the legendary film Predator, there is a lesson-packed scene. The alien beast hunts “Dutch,” the mercenary leader (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Dutch tumbles down a waterfall, claws his way onto a muddy bank, and collapses face-first in the filth.
He’s not safe yet. The monster’s splash echoes in the water. In despair, Dutch turns, grips tree roots, and braces to face his certain death.
The Predator steps close and drops its cloak of invisibility. At last, the man sees his terrifying enemy for what it is. But wait? Death glances around and moves on.
Relieved, Dutch scrambles to understand what saved him. Why didn’t the Predator finish its cornered prey? Then it hits him—the mud! It hid him from the monster’s infrared vision.
Mud, that banal substance nobody wants. We tolerate it as a minor nuisance. When stained, we rush to wash it off. Yet here it was—a cloak of invisibility, a charm, a shield.
This revelation flips the story upside down. The hunted becomes the hunter, luring his quarry into a trap. The lesson’s so sharp, it’s worth rewatching the film to soak it in.
Sometimes in business or life, we face an insurmountable problem. We fight, we use every tool at our disposal. But it’s no use. The pursuer’s far stronger.
At the bottom of despair, in the dark depths of hopelessness, we spot a spark. It lights up a paradox. What we’ve always dismissed, feared, hated, and ignored—is the very thing that will save us.
I’ve seen this creative twist many times, in business therapy with clients and in my own work with a psychotherapist. The paradox works so well, I don’t wait for it now—I hunt it down every time.
In a tough spot, ask yourself: “What ‘mud’ will shield, liberate, heal me?”
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
About me:
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.
How can I help you?
If you've long been trying to understand what is limiting you and/or your business and how to finally give important changes a push, then The Catalyst Session is designed specifically for you. Book it here.