Walt Disney Died December 15

It was, and still is, a sad day for many people, December 15, 1966.

For it was on this day in history that Walt Disney died.

Being born in 1959, I was old enough to remember watching Walt Disney on Sunday nights, as he came into the living rooms of Americans across the country.

He made such an impression on me that I eventually found my way to Disneyland as a 12-year old Guest.

And years later, while attending a Pennsylvania College, I spent a winter semester (1982) as a Magic Kingdon Adventureland Jungle Cruise skipper, jungle jeff.

There’s more, much more, about this Disney story, but it’s a tale for another time.

Have a Magical Day everyone.  Signing off from Orlando, Florida and living right next to the Walt Disney World Resort,  jungle jeff  🙂

PS. We miss you Walt.

PS.  This is a “bonus” post today.  Today’s main post is next, please scroll down if you’d like to read it.

Disney and number 42?

Who said, “A life is not important, except for the impact it has on other lives“?

Number 42 said it. Number 42? Yep.

With relatives from Pennsylvania staying with us for a few weeks, our routine is adjusted. The TV is on more often, playing programs we do not normally watch. Wednesday’s ABC Evening News is a great example.

Charlie Gibson started talking about baseball having 15 games played that day.  So?  Well, he then starts telling the story about how every player on this one team was wearing the same number. Number 42.

Then, he says that everyone on the opposing team was wearing number 42. What the?

Not only that, but every player on all 30 teams that played those 15 games Wednesday, had the number 42 on every jersey.

Why?

Because it was that day in history when a HUGE barrier was broken.

It was the day when you no longer had to be white to play baseball.

It was the day Jackie Robinson, a black man, first played major league baseball, 62 years ago.

I don’t know about you, but I’m eternally grateful to any person who pushes the boundaries and finds a better way.

Jackie Robinson, number 42, did that. We should all stand up and cheer.

The Walt Disney Company, was founded in 1923 by two brothers, boundary pushers, just like Jackie Robinson.

In honor of Jackie, Roy and Walt Disney, I challenge myself to do something today that will make the world a better place. Carpe diem, jungle jeff  🙂

Disney Meetings and Tiger Woods?

Disney meetings and Tiger Woods?  Is there some commonality?  Maybe.

Two days ago, Tiger made a dramatic comeback, here in Orlando, at the Bay Hill golf course.  I don’t recall the tournament’s name.  It was his sixth win at this particular tournament.

But, no one was certain he could win, yet.  Was he ready?  Was he strong enough?  Does he still have “it”?  Did the 9.5 months of being away from golf, leave him worse off, or better off?

Last June, I believe, he had a major setback, which required reconstructive surgury, etc.

Well, on Sunday he was, at least when I turned on the TV, at least five strokes behind the leader.

On the final round, he methodically made up the difference, and, on the final stroke, won the tournament.

Last May, just before he flew to California to win the US Open (and destroyed his knee and leg), I spoke to him at the local gym we both go to.

I asked him, “Tiger, if you had one piece of advice to give to anyone wanting to be world-class, what would it be“?

You know what he told me?

Out work ’em“!

I was surprised by his simple answer.  And you know what else?   He didn’t hesitate for a nano-second on his answer, “Out work ’em“!

Caught off guard, I responded instinctively, “You mean like morning, noon and night“?

He said, “Yes“!

So please, let me ask you, “What are you doing, this morning, this afternoon, and tonight, to be world-class“?

What a great time to regroup.  Everyone is doing that, you know.  Trying to figure out a plan for this quarter and the next, etc.   The people and organizations that come through this year ahead of the others?

The ones who are willing to “out work their competition“!

Need a place to start?  That leads me to here……..

Have been meaning to share this with you.  If you are doing something important this year, or are planning something important, Disney has some special offers, if you were to make those plans before June 30.  The link below summarizes it all.

www.successmtgs.com/mimegasite/special_offers/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003949430

As always, there is no pressure for you to do anything.

Pressure from your competition?  Of course.  Always will be.  Especially now.  It’s just a fact of life, isn’t it?  I wish it wasn’t so.  Life would be easier.  Wait, I’ve drifted off to Fantasy Land.  Sorry.  🙂

Make today a GREAT day.  Do something GREAT, because if you don’t, who will?   Do you think your competition is taking the day off?

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Camping?

Camping in the middle of the week?

Yep.  About 80 of us.

First through fifth graders and about 18 adults, more or less.  At Wekiwa Springs State Park.  It was an awesome opportunity to be a chaperon and be visible in my son’s life.

So, we left school at 9AM yesterday, and returned late this afternoon.

Then, after a few other commitments, we finally got home in time to watch most of American Idol.

Have you ever spent 36 hours where you experienced so much good, that when you took a moment to catch your breath, you realized more cool things happened in those 36 hours than you thought was possible.

And the really cool thing?

It was largely spontaneous.

And guess what?

The spontaneity?  By Design.

A dream is a wish your heart makes.  Good night, and, sweet dreams.  Carpe PM, jungle jeff 🙂

Danny and Adam are C-Level potentials

Danny and Adam have passion.

How do you know?

All you have to do is watch and listen. That’s what I did last night with my family. Watched and listened.

What does this have to do with you?

Everything!

Please, let me say it one more time, and this time I’ll shout it, “EVERYTHING!”

Thirteen finalists. One will become the next American Idol and sell millions of “records” (downloads). It’s like winning an Olympic gold medal, sort of.

Two stood out far and away the most passionate. Singing and performing are in their heart and soul! Like an unstoppable force of nature – a tornado, a hurricane, a tsunami. Unstoppable, and all-powerful.

This makes me wonder what it takes to be world-class.

To be a world-class leader, speaker, father, follower, friend, visionary, athlete, singer….

Dude, I say to myself,do you inspire yourself so much that others want to be a part of it”?

I feel good about my progress toward the “yes” answer.

Do you?

Please know, as I always say, there is no judgement here on whether or not someone is good or not good. What’s being played out here, are the challenges I set before myself. And so, I’m inviting you to set these challenges before yourself. But only if you have the desire to be excellent. Okay?

(And you know what else? If you’re not sure where you fall in this environment, then I gently invite you to follow along at a distance comfortable to your situation. And, when and if you’re ready, or not ready, you can decide to be in, or to be out. It’s absolutely your choice.)

Excellent and world-class are the highest levels of difficulty, and I often confront the question, “Why are you concerned about it”? My inner voice says, You must make great sacrifices to be excellent and world-class”.

Yes!

And, you make great sacrifices when you don’t push yourself to be all you can be, so that you can offer others all you can offer them.

This is called regret. And I believe it is much worse than sacrifice.

That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

Make it a GREAT, PASSIONATE day, because if you don’t, who will? Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂