When Walt Disney built Disney World in the murky swamplands of central Florida in the early ‘70s, he insisted on building the Magic Kingdom — the magnificent centerpiece of the entire park — first. Before all the rides, restaurants, show halls, and other attractions that would surround it.
This created concern for construction crews. They begged to build the outer portions first. But Mr. Disney, there’s snakes and alligators and other scary critters in these swamps. Please don’t make us trudge through all those slithery predators to build the center first. Let us work our way in.
No. Disney was adamant.
You see, the Magic Kingdom, with its turrets and spires and majestic grandeur, was one of the most visible and iconic symbols of Disney.
In the 1960s — the years preceding the opening of Disney World — American families gathered in front of their TV sets on Sunday night to watch “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” — and the show opened every week with a vivid and colorful illustration of the Magic Kingdom in all its glory and splendor.
Walt knew the power of a vision — and the Magic Kingdom was that vision. He knew the workers would be more inspired to build the entire park brilliantly — if they could clearly see the vision every day as they built it.
Now, stop for a moment and think about the significance of his genius: See the vision as you work. So simple, yet so seldom done.
Then ask yourself: How many times have I begun a major project or undertaking without first having a clear picture of what I wanted in the end?
I’m willing to bet, those projects, when complete, took you longer than needed, cost more than they should have, generated more false starts and re-dos than necessary, caused irritating frustration, and may have had a less-than-satisfactory outcome.
And maybe you pondered to yourself: I should have thought this through better in the beginning. Translation: I needed a clear vision of what success looked like before I started.
In May 1961, President Kennedy declared this bold vision for the U.S. space program: By the end of the decade, we will put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth. Clear, concise. And in July 1969 — true to the vision — we did.
Many years ago, when I was building Boyken International, I set a target to beat one of my competitors at everything. In a two short years we were better known and grew faster. Teams like vision and need that vision to grow.
Bottom line - Never underestimate the power of a vision.
ACTIONS FOR YOU
It’s important to create visions - for your life, for your business, on your team, with your family, and for yourself as an individual.
I use 4 basic steps for creating a vision.
What crystal clear, electrifying visions do you need in your life... that are missing? Get busy.
This created concern for construction crews. They begged to build the outer portions first. But Mr. Disney, there’s snakes and alligators and other scary critters in these swamps. Please don’t make us trudge through all those slithery predators to build the center first. Let us work our way in.
No. Disney was adamant.
You see, the Magic Kingdom, with its turrets and spires and majestic grandeur, was one of the most visible and iconic symbols of Disney.
In the 1960s — the years preceding the opening of Disney World — American families gathered in front of their TV sets on Sunday night to watch “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” — and the show opened every week with a vivid and colorful illustration of the Magic Kingdom in all its glory and splendor.
Walt knew the power of a vision — and the Magic Kingdom was that vision. He knew the workers would be more inspired to build the entire park brilliantly — if they could clearly see the vision every day as they built it.
Now, stop for a moment and think about the significance of his genius: See the vision as you work. So simple, yet so seldom done.
Then ask yourself: How many times have I begun a major project or undertaking without first having a clear picture of what I wanted in the end?
I’m willing to bet, those projects, when complete, took you longer than needed, cost more than they should have, generated more false starts and re-dos than necessary, caused irritating frustration, and may have had a less-than-satisfactory outcome.
And maybe you pondered to yourself: I should have thought this through better in the beginning. Translation: I needed a clear vision of what success looked like before I started.
In May 1961, President Kennedy declared this bold vision for the U.S. space program: By the end of the decade, we will put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth. Clear, concise. And in July 1969 — true to the vision — we did.
Many years ago, when I was building Boyken International, I set a target to beat one of my competitors at everything. In a two short years we were better known and grew faster. Teams like vision and need that vision to grow.
Bottom line - Never underestimate the power of a vision.
ACTIONS FOR YOU
It’s important to create visions - for your life, for your business, on your team, with your family, and for yourself as an individual.
I use 4 basic steps for creating a vision.
- It must paint a clear picture of what lofty success looks like for you. Be specific – this will be your target.
- It must motivate, inspire, energize, and electrify you. If it doesn’t, start over because you will lose interest FAST.
- You can create multiple overlapping visions — one that is overarching to everything you do, a second one that defines an individual project, and a third one that clarifies daily actions.
- Put it in writing, display it, take it with you, read it often, memorize it.
What crystal clear, electrifying visions do you need in your life... that are missing? Get busy.
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