How do you turn a challenge into an opportunity? In remote Southern Utah it’s hard to imagine encountering someone standing in the middle of the road miles from the nearest town, until you get to Monument Valley and the section now known as “Forest Gump Point” on US 163.
But that’s just what started happening soon after the namesake movie was released in 1994. It’s the iconic location where after running for three-plus years, Forest declared, “I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.” And fans of the movie from around the world soon started pulling over on the side of the road to take photos or recreate the famous scene.
Someone had the bright idea to create a highway pull-off in that area – several in fact – so now people can stop and safely take their photos and selfies. There’s a sign, Navajo vendors at several of the pull-offs, and tourists are encouraged to stop, take photos and spend time and money in the (relatively) nearby towns and tribal attractions. It’s remote, and doesn’t feel like a tourist trap. It’s more of a pop-culture celebration of amazing scenery.
Sure, people still stand in the middle of the road, too, but they can safely pull out of the travel lanes, and there are plenty of warnings for approaching drivers, reduced speeds and I imagine it’s much safer than it used to be. Challenge embraced.
This week I’m pondering what opportunities are hiding within challenges for R2R Marketing, our clients and for me personally.
What is your Forest Gump Point?
