4 Steps to Becoming Elle Woods

What, Like It’s Hard?

Growing up, I found it difficult to come up with a name each time I had to write an essay about someone I looked up to; someone I wanted to be like in the future. I couldn’t pick any person to play that role for me.

Watching Legally Blonde changed my life for the better. I can safely say I am no longer the same person I was before the movie. It showed me that no matter who you are, you can be anyone you want to be. All you have to do is make that decision, come up with a plan and execute it, all while being your authentic self.

I remember thinking to myself how nice it would be if I were Elle Woods, or at least if I could be more like her. After scouring through the internet and studying every move Elle made throughout the movie, I came up with 4 steps we could all take to achieve this goal.

1. Have Faith in Yourself

If there is one thing you cannot deny, it is the fact that most of Elle Wood’s success is thanks to her confidence in her ability to succeed. It is, without a doubt, the most important thing we can choose to emulate.

Elle believed she could get into law school even when her guidance counselor, the person who was supposed to be an expert at this, did not. She told herself that if she could be the president of her sorority and maintain a 4.0 CGPA, she was capable of getting into one of the most competitive law schools in the country. And she did.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.” — Henry Ford

Elle Woods knew this. You determine if you succeed or fail because if you decide that you can do something, then you will work hard to achieve it.

The application: Think about all of your past achievements, especially the ones you thought were impossible to achieve. Make a list of all the obstacles that you have overcome in your life. Remind yourself that you did that, and so you are capable of so much more.

2. Have a Well-rounded Course Curriculum

It is no secret that Elle’s application was not usual for someone who wanted to go to law school. However, she had a diverse range of interests that piqued the interest of Harvard’s admissions department.

On top of her 4.0 CGPA and 179 in the LSATs, Elle was a fashion major who had been in a Ricky Martin video and designed a line of faux-fur panties for a charity project. All of this contributed to her acceptance into the law program.

The application: Whether you’re still studying, or have already begun working, a well-rounded course curriculum is both possible and useful for you. It is not as much about what you do, as it is about what skills you gain from doing them.

For example, you can state you have leadership qualities from being the president of a club in high school, or critical thinking skills from debate competitions and even time management skills from working part-time while you study.

You can divide your extra-curricular activities into three categories, namely Academic, Arts and Athletics. Academic could be joining a physics club or Model United Nations. Arts is broader and can include writing, painting, or even learning an additional language. Athletics would involve sports such as football, basketball, or even joining the swimming team.

3. Work Hard to Achieve Your Goals

Perhaps one of the most prominent parts of the story involves watching Elle make multiple sacrifices throughout her final year of University. Not only did she skip out on Greek Week, but she also found herself a tutor, that helped her get the scores she needed to get into Harvard.

On the first day of law school, Elle was unprepared. But immediately after, she turned things around and landed herself a competitive internship where she helps the firm win a major case. Without hard work, Elle Woods would not be who she is today.

The application: We all know we need to work hard, but we don’t always know what that means.

First, you need to decide what is important to you. Which goals do you want to achieve? Eliminate everything else that may serve as a distraction from you reaching these goals.

Next, you have to give it everything you have got. Don’t stop until you’re 100% satisfied with every tiny detail of your project. Sit in the front row of the class. Complete your assignment a week before it is due. Go to work earlier than the rest of your colleagues and leave it later than they do.

At the end of the day, hard work requires effort, and effort can only come from you.

4. Have a Good Work-Life Balance

This is one thing Elle does all too well. She studies hard for her classes but also makes sure she takes time to take care of her health. You can often find her exercising in her room on an almost daily basis.

On top of that, Elle knows when she needs to take a day off and relax at the nail salon. It allows her to unwind and have some pamper time before she takes on law school the next day.

The application: Think of everything in your life in terms of glass and plastic balls you have to juggle. Except, you cannot categorize work as a whole to be a plastic ball or family to be a glass one.

It all comes down to the minor events and commitments in each of these categories. For example, if you’re a student at university, then one lecture may be a plastic ball that you can afford to drop. However, a mid-term exam would definitely be a glass ball.

If you have a kid, then helping them with homework may be a plastic ball, but attending their end of year concert would be a glass ball that would have detrimental effects on your relationship if it were to fall and break.

To Wrap it All Up

If there is one person you could choose to be, pick Elle Woods. She always believes in herself, has a well-rounded curriculum, works hard to achieve her goals, and has mastered the art of having a work-life balance.

If you don’t trust me, then at least listen to the feminist who has an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award and is one of the highest-paid actresses in the world:

“Live every day like Elle Woods after Warner said she wasn’t smart enough for law school.” — Reese Witherspoon

If you liked this piece, then you may enjoy some of my other works as well.