It's been quite a while since I wrote anything about the latest Walt Disney book I've been reading - since November actually, but it's time once again. I started the book back then, and then got side-tracked with a lot of other things going on. Here's a link to the first post about it, in case you're interested in going back and seeing it. Walt Wednesdays #1
After the flurry and hubbub of the holidays died down, I got back to reading it, a little at a time. Even though it is a very good book, I'm not such the avid reader that I "must finish it now". My wife reads that way, I don't. But I did take it along with me on my recent trip to Hawaii and California, and had some great reading time on the various planes associated with that trip. I've been reading a little bit each night for the past couple of weeks, and once again I'll say - it is a great book! Filled with all kinds of wonderful information about Walt Disney, the man, not just the personification that we've all come to know through various television features through the years.
The book, once again, is "How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life", written by Pat Williams, with Jim Denney.
I haven't gotten through each of the individual lessons yet, but wow, they are very good. I have studied Walt Disney and his body of work for years. This book helps to put a lot of what Walt experienced - his successes and failures - into such a great light. Especiallly now in this extended period of transition in my own life. Leaving the corporate world after nearly 20 years to branch out on my own was very scary at this stage of life - but you know what, I've learned to deal with it a lot better thanks to this book. I'm not trying to say that this book is the end all, be all - it's not. But it does have some great advice about how to tackle problems and better motivate yourself, thanks to many examples from the life of this one man who inspired millions with his stick-to-it-ivity. Pick up the book and read for yourself, and you'll see what I mean.
Here are just a few more lessons from the book, that are well worth applying to our own everyday lives:
- Take a Risk!
- Ask Yourself - "How About Tomorrow?"
- Live for the Next Generation
- Build Complementary Partnerships
- Stay Focused
I have never been an avid reader. Sure I like to read, and pour over things from time to time, but I've never really been one to just sit down and curl-up with a book - at least it's not normally my first choice of recreational activity. My lovely bride loves to do just that. Not me. I do love to read to my kids, and of course I've done the obligatory reading in school, and from time-to-time will find a book that intrigues me. With all of that said, I will admit that my absolute favorite book is actually nearly 1,600 pages long (and I've read it 7 times in my life)... a book that has been transformed into countless film adaptations and one stunning, majestic and absolutely incredible stage musical - a musical that is currently celebrating 25 years of productions around the globe - LES MISERABLES. But I'm not posting to write about Victor Hugo's classic - rather to introduce you to a book about my other favorite topic - Walt Disney. While I might not be a typically avid reader, I do voraciously devour almost any books about the man who transformed the 20th century in so many wonderful ways. Walt was a visionary. A creative genius. A legend in his own right. My shelves are literally FILLED with books about Walt and the theme parks.
Recently I acquired a new book and I just can't put it down. It really speaks to things that I have attempted to do throughout my own life, even though I am no where near as creative, inspired or inspirational as Mr. Disney was. The book is called, "How To Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life", written by Pat Williams. If you can get a copy of it yourself, I would highly recommend it. It covers 17 lessons from Walt's life that we could all employ to make ourselves, and our surroundings better. Lessons such as:
- Make Your Family Your Top Priority
- Dare to Do the Impossible
- Become an Animated Leader
- Dealing with Loss
- Plus Every Experience
- Be the Person God Made You to Be
- and many others.
I haven't worked my way all the way through it yet, but it has been very enjoyable, with practical tips, suggestions and concepts that anyone can apply to their own situation in life. If you do get a copy of it, or have already read through it yourself - let me know what you think (or thought) of it.
