One year Disney retirement anniversary

Disney Retiree ID
Photo yesterday at Epcot: Yesterday was Halloween 2015, and the one-year anniversary of my retirementment which began at 5pm, October 31, 2014.

 

The question i get most often, “So how’s retirement life?”, always has the same answer:

Working harder than ever, just not as much.

Every “successful” entrepreneur struggles with insecurities that outsiders will never believe exist.

Insecurity comes with the territory.

Trust me, if you knew how insecure entrepreneurs are, you might even go for it yourself (i’m making the assumption you are too fearful to go out on your own).

i quietly and gradually began convincing myself that i was good enough to go out on my own.

One day at a time for six years before retirement, i thrived and excelled at Disney Institute while building the foundation from which to step out as an entrepreneur.

Last night we went to dinner at Epcot.

It was good to be “on property” (Cast Member-speak for Walt Disney World Resort).

PS. Time flies.

PSS. Many entrepreneurs reach a point (i’m there now) where they look back and think, “What was i so afraid of?” Turns out, most fears are simply the devil tempting you to play it safe.

 

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This website is about our mental attitude. To leave this site to read today’s post on my physical health website, click here.

Walt Disney’s biggest risk was investing in things people never notice

Prolific wordpress blogging
The colors were carefully and intentionally chosen.

 

Walt Disney’s biggest risk was investing in things people never notice.

People ask me what does it mean to over manage the details others either under manage or ignore?

The blog header colors intentionally symbolize something 99.99% will never understand:

  • Gray: We think with our mind, the gray matter
  • Brown: We move with our body, brown is the median human skin color
  • Red: We feel with our heart, everyone bleeds red
  • Green: We earn from our work, American currency is green
  • Blue: We dwell at our home, and deep blue is my favorite color

Why do it if most never notice?

Disney’s secrets for over managing a vibrant organizational culture are context neutral, meaning the prevailing wisdom that Disney uses can be used anywhere, even on my blogs.

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Happy one year Disney milestone anniversary

Marriott key packet
Jacksonville, FL Marriott arrival yesterday.

 

Our lives tick by one after the other. Day after day after day.

When does sucking the marrow out of life begin?

Seriously, when?

Never in a million years did i think blogging would change my life.

To carve out two hours every morning to contemplate yesterday, today, and tomorrow…pure joy.

Writing this on July 23 from the Jacksonville Marriott knowing this will go live on Halloween,  a very special, once-in-a-lifetime day.

What’s cool after two hours? The sun comes up and another amazing day unfolds.

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If Disney ran your life your attitude would transform

Walt Disney World park entrance
The start of 24 hours of Disney, last week. Notice the group of people by the woman’s blue shirt.

 

Magic Kingdom Cast Member training at front entrance
The show must go on. Magic Kingdom Cast Member training never stops.

 

Attitude is not just about being positive. It’s also about determination. And patience.

Even the self-discipline of humility.

It also encompasses belief.

Our ability to commit to a belief system. Deeply. Unswayed, even at the threat of death.

Yeah, it’s that powerful.

Disney banks it’s entire future on it’s culture.

If Disney ran your life, they’d insist you do the same.

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How fast should we drive during midlife? (a Disney flashback)

Disney Customer Experience Keynote Speaker jeff noel
Circa 2005. Illustrating the “extra inch” concept even back then.

 

A Disney flashback. How fast should we drive during midlife?

Had a Disney leader (Guy Smith) in 2000 request that at every one-on-one meeting he wanted his direct reports to share one example of how they ‘drove 65’ the previous week.

In this metaphor, we assume the speed limit is 55 mph, and his theory was we could exceed the posted speed limit if we weren’t reckless, and avoid getting pulled over.

In the spirit of continuous improvement (the DNA of Walt Disney) he wanted at least one example of how we pushed the envelope with a colleague, the audience (as a professional speaker), or our (Disney Institute) business practices.

That was 16 years ago and i still use it as a daily (weekly seems way too infrequent) personal challenge.

You are the CEO of You, Inc.

Your growth, development, and attitude is your responsibility.

Wow, the things that are so easy to take for granted.

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