Tag: Disney

Motivation: One Size Fits All?

Motivation.  Who doesn’t want to be motivated?  Humans love to be motivated?

Why?

Because we get more done, and what we get done, usually gets done better.

Who doesn’t want that?

But motivation is like a child’s toy, one size does not fit everyone.

This is why there are thousands of toy manufacturers, stores, prices, etc.

There are thousands of ways to get motivated.  Thousands to stay motivated.

But have you ever noticed a very young child playing with the box that a nice toy came in, neglecting the actual toy?

Motivation is really pretty simple.  But no rules for success will work unless you do.

My eight-year old son understands this.  Yet sometimes adults forget.

Get motivated.   Stay motivated.  Motivate others.  It’s our duty as leaders.

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Paying Attention Pays

Yogi Berra, the baseball player who is also famous for saying, “Ninety percent of it is half mental”, and, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it”, also coined one of my all-time favorite sayings:

“You can observe a lot by watching”.

Walt Disney has taught me to watch and listen for what is done, and for what is not done.  And try to learn why.

And now I’m teaching our son.  Most of life’s secrets are pretty simple.

What’s challenging for most of us, myself included, is that we are easily distracted.  Easily swayed by peer pressure and society’s norms.

Walt Disney was a man who challenged the status quo, in virtually everything he did professionally.

Look where that got him.  One of the most creative minds in modern times.

Why?

Because he watched what wasn’t being done, and then did it.  Soon after, everyone else tried to catch him.

In a very humble sort of way, I can totally relate to Walt Disney.

Our son, at eight years old understands this, while many adults do not. Crazy. But true.  Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

jungle jeff in Finland?

jungle jeff in Finland?

Yes.  Was a zombie yesterday.  Severe jet lag.  Woke at 5AM here, with eight hours of fresh sleep.  I’m very consciously ignoring the fact that it’s 10PM Disney World time.  🙂

Ever notice how I always, without exception, use lower case letters in my name?

Initially, most think it’s simply a typo – that I’m not actually paying attention to the little details, which Disney is famous for.

When a person consistently does something, well or not well, it’s called a habit.

The Disney organization works desperately hard to have their employees do things consistently well.

Because, very simply, if they don’t do things consistently well, the odds are staggering that they’ll trend to the opposite.

So our son has heard me preach about using his manners, for years.  I never give up. Never get frustrated. I just keep focused. He’s “only” eight, but he fully understands this:

Stand two 8-year olds together.  Assume one consistently uses manners.  The other boy doesn’t.

Which boy will adults trust more?

Same with business.  Two businesses offer customers the same product, same price point.  One is service-focused.  One is not.

My work here today is done.   Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

jungle jeff in Paris?

jungle jeff is in Paris?  Yes.  🙂

Why?

Heading to the Master’s Track & Field World Championships, representing the USA in the 400 meters, 50-54 age group – 5,300 athletes from 80 countries.

Started a healthier lifestyle ten years ago, doing one push up per day. It was a bad health report that triggered my commitment, or re-commitment you might say.

My son (8), has watched me start something important, and stay with it.  So has my wife.

Same at Disney, and probably the same at your organization.

Focus and discipline.

My son sees how it works in my personal life, and he sees me apply it as a Professional Speaker.

You know what he also understands?  And remember, he’s only a child.  It’s common sense put into common practice.

I’m teaching him there are no shortcuts.  This will save him, but certainly not spare him, from many disappointments – personally and professionally.

What does this mean to you?  I don’t know.  But I hope you do.

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Twistee Treat Tradition

Yesterday, my son (8) and I did our Friday afternoon tradition.  We went to Twistee Treat for ice cream. This started four years ago.

My wife takes our son to school.  I pick him up.  It’s part of the structure and process we put in place to run our home.

One Friday, I suggested to our son, as we were pulling away from his school, “Let’s stop at Twistee Treat and get ice cream to celebrate a great week and kickoff a great weekend”.

We did this every single Friday for a year.  A great tradition was in place to create memories for our son and help him learn a lesson for being a great parent.

Then one Monday afternoon, on a whim, I said, “Let’s get some ice cream to kick off a great week and celebrate the great weekend we just had”.

So now, for the past three years, it’s every single Monday and Friday.

Once, just to be the antagonist (with a purpose) I am, I said, “Let’s skip Twistee Treat today.  Missing one day won’t hurt”.

He said, “Daddy, would you cancel Thanksgiving”?  “No, of course not”, I replied.

He said, “Exactly, it’s a tradition.  You don’t cancel traditions, they’re too important”.

Now, I ask you, “What opportunity do you have to start, and execute a simple tradition with your loved ones”?

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂