A Dream for Life
Where we go and what we do in life is designed to be driven by our dreams. So we begin dreaming at an early age about who and what we want to be. It changes from time to time, depending on the influences in our lives, but it also each change molds and shapes us into the person we are designed to be.
Disney’s Dream Wasn’t Folly
Walt Disney was always an artist. He had a passion for drawing and he would draw anytime he could; first little sketches from family members and then drawings he would sell to friends and others. Deep within him was this dream of creating animated feature films.
The problem was, no one wanted full-length animated feature films. He made lots of short cartoons that became extremely popular, such as Laugh-O-Grams, The Alice Comedies, Oswald Rabbit, and little animations for local businesses. Over this time, he tried and failed several times to have a successful animation venture. Even Steamboat Willie, the debut of Mickey Mouse, was actually a short featurette.
Walt kept re-iterating his desire to create full-length animated feature films. His business advisors and friends were all against it. Other industry colleagues derided him. In fact, they called it “Disney’s Folly”. This kept on right up until 1937, when Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs released and grossed $1.6 billion. So much for Disney’s Folly.
All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney
Following My Own Dream Path
I was not as lucky as Disney. It wasn’t until halfway through college that I found my passion. I was working my way through college at Walt Disney World and for a while I was “Jungle Paul” on the famous Jungle Cruise ride. “Welcome aboard, thrill seekers and danger lovers!”
I performed well on this attraction and they made me a trainer for the ride. I would typically work with trainees for several days, teaching them to work the ride, memorize the spiel, and deliver it effectively. That’s where the passion struck! I found myself making supplemental teaching aids to enhance the manual and help my trainees learn faster. I worked hard with energy and excitement; nothing made me happier than a trainee successfully completing a trip and passing the test.
Now I knew: this was my dream! I wanted to help others be inspired and learn and grow and perform well. That was what really drove me! I didn’t want to be president of Disney, or a corporate giant, or a lawyer. I wanted to help adults learn and perform.
But the road wasn’t that easy. I was told that the way to become a trainer was to beccome an expert on something and then maybe a company will make me a trainer. I didn’t want to do that. I decided on my own route. I had lots of ups and downs, lots of failure. Plenty of people telling me I couldn’t do it my way. I refused to be stopped; I kept my dream in mind.
I have now been a professional trainer for over 25 years. I accomplished my dream and I followed my own path. I can tell you, a dream and a passion will get you anywhere.
Action Plan
- What dream have you held on to from an early age? What are you doing to pursue it?
- Think of one thing you can do TODAY to start making that dream a reality.
- Shut out any negative talk from anyone (including yourself) telling you that you can’t too it or it’s too late.