3 Things You Can Learn From Disney That Will Change Your Life

What if you could live your life like a Disney theme park?

We have Disney fanatics on the Skylink team. I mean, borderline looney toon fanatics.

One morning I pull in to the office. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining. Blue sky. It was perfect.

I walked to our front door and opened it but before I could greet anyone, SMACK. My ears flooded with Disney music. And mind you, this is a professional office (I’m paid to say!)

The issue?

We rely on Disney to bring us a feeling of joy. Or for you, maybe it’s another artificial stimulation.

It’s not hard to immerse yourself in this dream. In your own life. Without Disney music!

Here’s how...

Greet everyone with a smile

On a Saturday we decided to go to Epcot.

I was waiting for my wife and son to come out of the bathroom. I couldn’t help but stare at an older gentleman. He was working a beverage stand. Every person that walked by he greeted. He said hello. He offered them a beverage (way to sell dude!), and he waived to the kids.

He was incredible. Always smiling. Always friendly.

My family finally finished and joined me.

We walked passed the gentleman and to no surprise...he said hello. He reached out his hands to grab my trash and said: “I can throw that away for you.” I was impressed! No one does that outside of a half decent restaurant whose job it is. Especially beverage cart attendants.

I kindly refused and said, “You’re too kind, thank you, but I can throw it away.” I feel that’s a silly thing to give someone else to do.

The moral of this is, no matter where you’re at in life, what issues you have going on, how hard business is, ALWAYS greet others with a smile.

Pain is short-lived, but your smile will last forever.

Everything matters

Some would argue when everything matters, nothing matters. And sometimes, they’re right.

But they’re dead wrong if it involves your businesses and life's vision, mission, and values.

Under the world of these three planets…everything matters.

One night I was tortured to riding a Disney bus from one of the hotels we were staying at. The bus was supposed to show up every 30 minutes — all day long. It was something crazy like 7:30 am to 10:00 pm.

We waited. And waited. And after an impatient 10 minutes. They were officially late. Aha! I caught you, Disney. You aren’t perfect! Until a charter bus pulled in seconds after.

The driver was from Miami and called in for the weekend to offset any Disney bus mechanical issues. And I’m sure he’s not the only one.

Incredible!

And here's another point…

We took my little guy to Busch Gardens. We pulled in, and I wanted to leave. Dirty. Two rides still need to be torn down after a year of sitting, and the overall vibe was a turn-off. This is why Disney is so amazing. Everything matters. We’re spoiled over here in Orlando.

They want you to feel as though you’re in a movie.

And if it weren’t for the 30,000 other human aliens walking around in the same movie, it would be perfect.

One final point on this. I’ve heard that a Disney popcorn cart pulls in $1,000 a day in revenue. This can’t be far off. But regardless…

EVERYTHING MATTERS. Even a small popcorn stand.

Your mind, body, and soul. It’s all you’ve got. Start there…

And that will lead you to far better results in your career and your life.

Be your own cast member

Disney doesn’t have employees. They have cast members. Just think of that. They’re bringing their team into the movie. And guess what? A vast majority of them act like cast members and not employees.

But, this is your life. Your production. Be the cast member in your own life.

Be a part of a set you love. You enjoy. Some of you may come to be the star performer or the Director, and that’s fantastic. But I tell you what; the audio-visual guy LOVES what he does. The designers...LOVE what they do.

You don’t have to be at the top to create your own movie. You just need to have the passion for what you’re doing and enjoy the people with whom you need to do it with.

Don’t let life take 20 years for you to figure this out. Start today. Smile. Say attention to the details. And be the cast in a movie you want to be a part of. This is your life. You have control.

And take if from Walt Disney when he says…

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."

Be great,

Nate Anglin