Father – Disney Brand Loyalty Keynote Speaker

John Maxwell Quote

Quote from John Maxwell, courtesy of Bob Stewart.

“Law of the Niche: People are most valuable where they add the most value.”

Duh, right? No brainer. Obvious. Get a clue. You can’t be serious.

In the hectic pace with which we travel through our days (weeks, months), we often miss the most basic of life’s truths.

This happens to me with our son. I’ll get caught up in my work, and the next thing you know, the week has flown by and our son has done amazing things, but guess who hasn’t noticed? Guess who wasn’t there to add a little coaching, a little fun, a little encouragement?

Guess what else?

Life is like this. Always was, is now, and always will be. Whatever your level in your organization, you must find your own ways to stay engaged, to stay passionate.

I see so many people who are stuck. Many of them leaders, responsible for inspiring and developing others, the way a parent does with children.

They get stuck managing their to-do list instead of inspiring and developing their people. Just like a Parent. Just like me.

But the days (weeks, months) fly by.

Our son can not wait for me to find the time. His life marches on at an incredible pace. He will not slow down for me. I must find the way(s) to keep up with him.

Same is true as a leader, and as an employee who follows orders. Same as you. You must figure this out yourself and not wait.

Because if you don’t, what are you stuck with?

Nine-year old blogger!

I asked our Son (9) to write something publically. I told him the act of hitting publish is scary for many adults. So he should try to see if it scares him. in a moment, we’ll see if he conquered that fear. Meanwhile, I’d like to ask if you are waiting for some special removal of fear before you begin doing what you really want to do, but are too afraid to hit publish.

Ok, take it away Chapin…

“Hello! I’m a blogger! Chapin Noel (my dad’s son) is your writer today. Hey, you know Jay Lenno and Wanda Sykes? (no offense).How about comedy with a little less cursing? Would you like that?……… O.K., I CAN’T TALK TO YOU, SO I’LL DO IT!

Joke 1: how the animals got their ages

One day, god summoned the animals all around the world to tell him how long they would like to live.

First, he asked the dog, he said; “Dog, I offer you 20 (twenty) years of chasing squirrels, guarding houses, and being petted.”

“Twenty years!” He exclaimed. “How about ten.” So, the dog lives ten years.

Next, he asked the horse. “Horse, you can go about frolicking, grazing, and transporting for 35 (thirty-five) years.”

“Thirty five!? D-d-d-the playoffs!? Are you kidding me!? MAKE IT 15!!!!!” Encouraged the horse. “Does it LOOK like I kid?” So, the horse lives 15 years.

Then god did the same with the human.”Human, I give you 20 years to PARTAY(!) and do whatever, whenever!”

The human, (as “greedy” as it can be) was like vice versa all over again. “Just 20? That’s like, $2.99 for a reservation at a hotel. Now, now, let’s make it 80-100, shall we?”

“Well, the first ten years, you play around a lot, then from ages 16-59, you do a lot of work, and then, when you’re 60+, you start barking like a dog at people while on your front porch.

EEK! I SAID TO MUCH ALREADY! Bye! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

What’s the 1st thing you do?

What’s the first thing you do when you hear your alarm clock go off?

As I write this, it’s almost 5am. I’ve been up for an hour, reading, writing, thinking.

Actually, I didn’t think the alarm clock was ever going to go off. Just lying in bed, wondering, “When is that thing ever going to go off. Come on. Let’s go. Bring it (the day) on!”

Those who know me know I’m completely serious. Those who don’t – “crazy man”!

Part of the challenge is the thing we’re waiting on is called an “ALARM” clock. Yikes.

What if we called it an “OPPORTUNITY” clock. Wow!

Everyday is an opportunity to do something great. Everyday is a gift. To be able to get out of bed. To be alive. To have the privilege to serve and help others.

Have you noticed the tone, the language, of today’s post?

There a few key words and phrases that set the tone. Agree?

The same is true in business. That’s one of the most powerful secrets in business. Use words to nuture and grow a great culture.

I’ll explain more in another jungle jeff post. Right now, it’s off to the Orange County Convention Center for a GREAT day.

Make your day GREAT! Because if you don’t, who will?

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

What does EPCOT stand for?

Every Person Comes Out Tired!

What?

Just kidding. You can take the boy out of the Jungle Cruise, but you can’t take the Jungle Cruise out of the boy.

EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow.

That’s what Walt Disney called Walt Disney World, before it was officially named Walt Disney World. The entire 43-square mile piece of alligator, snake and mosquito infested swampland he called EPCOT.

He said it would never be completed. He added, “The sketches and plans you see here are simply a starting point. Our first overall thinking.” As he continued, “Our plans may change time and time again.” He gave us permission to take his crazy, “impossible” vision and find the best way to get to our destination – “that EPCOT will always be a showcase for American ingenuity.”

And so it is with me. And with you too. Who wouldn’t want to always be in a state of becoming. Always changing and growing -serving more people in more ways. Then those people go out and do the same. We know this as “the ripple effect”.

Who’s helping you? Who’s holding you accountable?

At last week’s National Speakers Association Winter Conference, prior to the opening Keynote speech from Roxanne Emmerich ( https://www.emmerichgroup.com/ ), author of “Thank God It’s Monday: Kicking Butt and Taking Names to Grow Your Business”, we were asked to find one or two accountability partners. It was great to establish this upfront.

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

What’s the downside to creativity?

Being creative does not mean being productive.

Huh?

Creativity can be defined as generating useful ideas, in any domain. Most people assume that a bunch of creative ideas is something great. It really isn’t. Seriously, it’s not Because, if none of your creative ideas ever get implemented, then what do you have? N-u-t-h-i-n’. Nuthin! Period!

Want to know the key?

Curious about world-class spin on this “creativity issue”?

Here’s the deal:

Innovation is the implementation of a creative idea!

That’s the secret at world-class organizations, like Disney. They focus on creativity and implementation, in order to create innovations that make things better for their Employees, Customers, or Business practices.

Personally, I think of Walt Disney as the “Father of Creativity”.

What Walt really deserves credit for was his ability to innovate – to implement new, creative ideas. He was the ultimate “envelope pusher”.

“So what?” A simple question. One I began using a decade ago for the sole purpose of challenging people to adapt, not adopt “book theory” best practices.

On a scale of 1-10 (10 is excellent), how would others (not you) rate you on your drive, your vision, your energy, to push creative ideas through to implementation?

I hope you like your number. I didn’t like mine when I did this exercise. So I did something about it. I started to practice what I preach.

That has made all the difference.

Make it a GREAT day, because if you don’t, who will?

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂