Consider this your mid-week motivation—here we'll be sharing a new smarter secret from our authors, the people who you learn from and who inspire you to push the limits of your potential. So, we asked: Which movie has inspired you or changed the way you thought about things?

1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
   This movie is one of my favorites. We’re so analytical in tech - as we should be!  But sometimes we’re forced to admit there's more to the universe than we understand. Narnia is a mythical, but wonderful story which depicts some of the deeper magic we cannot yet fully grasp. –Dr. Jared DeMott
2. October Sky
   I used to think that in order to learn something, you had to take a formal sit-in class to be effective. October Sky taught me that with genuine interest, perseverance, a bit of luck and finding a good mentor, education happens everywhere. –Kevin Griendling
3. The Matrix
   The Matrix (while not intentional) had some very profound spiritual context and truth in it—freedom, free will, seeking the truth. There's a lot in there! –Mark Scott
4. Office Space
   Funny, but it changed my life, and helped me get to where I am today. –Karoly Nyisztor
5. Baraka AND Grave of the Fireflies
   These completely changed my assumptions about what particular genres (travel documentary and animation) were capable of. I try to keep them in mind whenever I'm tempted to underestimate a medium. –Simon Allardice
6. Mr. Holland's Opus
   It really changed my mind and heart about the importance of teaching going beyond just the curriculum. The compass metaphor really sticks with me. It definitely challenges me to make sure my compass is pointing in the right direction as an author, a public speaker and a mentor. –Floyd May
7. Fiddler on the Roof
   It touched me how much Tevye loved his kids. The songs are all heartwarming. Honestly I don't quite know why it affected me so much. I cry every time I see it, but don't tell anybody. –Gary Grudzinskas
8. Harold and Maude
   I learned many things from that film— including the fact that big changes start with small ones. –Dan Appleman
9. The Last of the Mohicans
   Watch how many times father and son communicate with each other just by looking at each other. There is  a total and complete "sync" with goals, knowledge, actions and honor. I'm pretty close to this level of communication with my wife (We’ve been together 30 years). I can glance her way (or she can glance at me) and because we are in sync with our goals, knowledge, actions and honor, we know what the other is thinking and or planning. –Dale Meredith 
10. Jurassic Park
    I saw this epic movie when 3D animation and computing was still in its infancy. It blew my mind, and was the first time I was not distracted by bad CGI to detract from the story. I sat on every single word (however "Hollywood") and it fueled my interest in computer science and still does. It reminds me that we are in an age that has the tools and science to create breakthrough discoveries and horror at the same time. –Lars Klint
11. Sneakers
    After watching Sneakers, I realized my ethical hacking hobby could become a full time job in the future. I could do something I love and get paid to do it! –Lee Allen
12. Braveheart
    This the first movie I watched that I will never forget, and to this day it is still my favorite movie. Ultimately, it was William Wallace trying to live a simple life, but finding that the world he wanted didn't exist in its current state. He lived and died by his own convictions and never yielded to those who tried to destroy him. He believed that people should never have to accept oppression. Freedom is beautiful and people should fight to obtain it or hold onto it. –James Wilson
13. Saving Private Ryan
    This film demonstrated true leadership. The scene in which Tom Hanks says "Gripes go up, not down" showed me that there is a hidden order to social behaviors. In the military, it is somewhat more clear, but the hierarchy exists in business and community circles as well. I try to use that scene as a model within my own team, though I still find myself griping in front of them on occasion. By the end of the movie, that leadership has helped form a brotherhood that is unshakable even in death. –Michael Perry
14. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
    These films are all about friendship and what we can accomplish when we work together toward a common goal. It showed how the smallest of us can accomplish great things, and with courage we can all overcome our weaknesses. –Deborah Kurata 
15. The Butterfly Effect (Director's Cut)
    First of all, it opened me up to enjoying films with open or ambiguous endings. Additionally, it shows how many seemingly small life choices add up to have profound impact. –Sander Mak

So, what's your secret to being smarter?

Share it with us: #SmarterThanYesterday.