Seven Life Changing Lessons From Walt Disney
Seven Life Changing Lessons From Walt Disney
What does a supremely successful entrepreneur, film producer, animation innovator and theme park designer have in common with a professional working in the Civil Service facing an uncertain future?
More than you might think.
Despite the phenomenal success of the company he co-founded, which is now one of the most well known and best loved brands in the world with annual revenues of $35 billion, Walt Disney personally experienced many difficult times and set backs on the road to success.
Born in 1901, he died 65 years later, having lived through two World Wars and the Great Depression. In a time of tremendous turmoil and change, he created a company built on an ethos of creativity, dreams and imagination; fanatical attention to consistency and detail; preservation and control of the Disney magic; and nurturing and promulgation of wholesome American values.'
Here are the 7 life changing lessons he shared during an interview he gave towards the end of his life.
1. Adversity will strengthen you
"All the adversity I have had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me... You may not realise it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth is the best thing in the world for you."
As we know from our earlier report on the Change Curve, when adversity strikes, we often feel underprepared and overwhelmed. This is particularly true when you're going through the initial stages of shock, denial and anger.
The adversity which may have initiated changing your job or the sector you work in, or your role in the Civil Service, may well turn out to be your best friend in the long term? Why?
Adversity pushes you out of your comfort zone. It forces you to find new levels of strength and resourcefulness to make things work out as best they can for yourself and your loved ones. Of course, you may feel you would prefer things to stay as they are, but change often acts as a catalyst allowing you to gain knowledge and learn new skills or even explore using existing knowledge and skills in a different way or in a new environment.
2. Keep things in perspective
"A man should never neglect his family for work or business"
You family is your first business, and they should never be neglected in pursuit of "a dream." Your family must be part of your dream and should remain within your focus. Never become so consumed in work that you neglect the individuals who need you most, and those that you need the most.
3. Follow your passion
"Disneyland is a work of love. We didn't go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money."
You must follow your passion, and love the work you do - if you're doing it just for the money or job security, it probably won't last, and it certainly won't make you happy. Passion is what gives you the strength to overcome obstacles associated with any dream you have. Passion is what keeps you going when everyone else feels tired and tested and ready to give up......money or treating the work you do as just a job' can't do that for you, only passion can.
4. Competition is good
"I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn't know how to get along without it".
Competition makes you stronger, it makes you better at what you do, and it keeps you on your toes. Don't shrink away from competition, and welcome it with open arms. Your competitors can provide you with more even more value and insights than your closest friends. Watch, listen and learn from the competition and you will grow.
5. Do the Impossible. If you can dream it you can do it.
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Life is too shortto spend it doing only what's possible. Dare to dream. Ask yourself:
What is currently impossible to do that, if it were possible, would change everything? Learn to pursue the impossible, do what others say can't be done or what's never been done before. Follow your dreams and turn them into reality.
As Walt said: "When you believe in a thing - believe in it all the way- implicitly and unquestionably. If you're going to believe you might as well believe all the way.''
6. Action always triumphs inaction
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.''
Walt said, 'I always say well done is better than well said. Quit planning and start practicing; a plan is good, a good plan is even better. But if that plan isn't put into action, it's useless.''
Whatever you've been postponing- just do it. If you wait for the perfect time you'll never accomplish anything.
7. Get better daily
"Whenever I go on a ride, I'm always thinking what's wrong with the thing and how it can be improved.''
Every day you should aspire to become a little better than you were the day before. Here's something to think about: If you become just one percent better daily, you can recreate your life every 100 days! So learn to get better daily, look for ways to improve, to be kinder, more helpful, and more intelligent.
Walt Disney was extremely successful at working in an environment facing an uncertain future. He created his company in a time of tremendous turmoil and change.
He learned some very crucial lessons the hard way, by experiencing difficult times initially and setbacks on the road to his success.
His 7 life changing lessons are something you can easily choose to ignore if you do not want to learn from a master the easy way, by someone who has been there and done it.
If you want to be successful in life, model success and learn from successful people.
The choice is yours.
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