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- 🏰 Lessons in Innovation: Insights from 'Walt Disney: An American Original'
🏰 Lessons in Innovation: Insights from 'Walt Disney: An American Original'
How to Embrace Creativity, Overcome Obstacles, and Lead with Vision
Happy Wednesday!
It’s a short week, and we’re already at hump day… so let’s dive right in.
💡 Today’s essential ideas come from Walt Disney: An American Original, first published in 1960 by Bob Thomas, a longtime Associated Press writer acclaimed as the dean of Hollywood reporters.
📕 This biography provides a glimpse into the life and learnings of “the man behind the legend of Disney: the unschooled cartoonist from Kansas City who went bankrupt on his first movie venture and developed into the genius who produced unmatched works of animation, and ultimately was the creative spirit of an international entertainment empire.”
SMARTEST TAKEAWAY
Maintain a ‘Strong Vision, Loosely Held’
I’m guessing you’ve heard the phrase ‘strong opinions, loosely held’ before. Well, a similar sentiment applies to audacious visions.
Lesson: Walt’s vision for Disneyland was met with significant skepticism from financiers, his family and the public. Despite critics labeling it “unfeasible” and a “potential financial disaster,” it was Walt’s unwavering commitment, meticulous planning, and flexibility that brought it to life.
Actionable Idea: Define your long-term vision clearly, and break it into achievable steps that you can begin executing on today. Stay committed, even when faced with obstacles, and persistently work towards it (Wikipedia) (Disney Tourist Blog).
AI-created image of a man’s journey from a small-town cartoonist to a pioneering force in the entertainment industry.
GET SLIGHTLY SMARTER
Additional ideas from the book:
1️⃣ Embrace Failure & Innovate
Lesson: Walt Disney faced bankruptcy and setbacks but used these experiences to fuel learnings and keep innovating.
Actionable Idea: Don't fear failure; instead, view it as a learning opportunity. Use setbacks to reassess and improve your strategies. Keep pushing the boundaries of your creativity and ability to execute.
2️⃣ Foster Collaboration
Lesson: Disney inspired his team to achieve creative excellence by fostering a collaborative culture and environment.
Actionable Idea: Create an environment that encourages creativity and collaboration. Value the input of your team, provide constructive feedback, and encourage innovative ideas.
3️⃣ Combine Art with Practicality
Lesson: Disney blended artistic creativity with practical business strategies to create successful projects.
Actionable Idea: Balance creative pursuits with practical considerations. Develop a business plan that supports your creative goals, ensuring both artistic integrity and financial viability.
4️⃣ Invest in Continuous Learning
Lesson: Disney continuously learned from his experiences and adapted his strategies to stay ahead.
Actionable Idea: Commit to lifelong learning and remain adaptable. Stay informed about industry trends, seek new knowledge, and be willing to pivot your approach when necessary to stay relevant and innovative.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
A 15 min exercise:
☕️ Grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, then…
First: Write down your long-term vision. This could be for a work project, career goal, or personal project you are passionate about.
Next: Be sure to break the vision into smaller, actionable steps that you can start working on today.
Final question: What does success look like at each step? What deadline can you commit to for the first step?
QUOTE TO REMEMBER
Walt Disney on how a simple, ambitious idea, when nurtured with vision and careful planning, can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.
WANT MORE?
Explore the life and legacy of Walt Disney in greater detail in the book.
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