Two Mindsets That Either Create or Destroy Results – It’s Your Choice!
Walt Disney was known for a mindset that embraced optimism, and he showed it in his actions and
leadership style. It was Walt Disney’s optimism that helped him overcome one of his first and potentially most significant
business challenges.
It was 1928 at Union Station in New York City. Walt Disney had just concluded business meetings
and was about to board a train for the three-day journey back home to California. Before departing, he sent a telegram to his older brother and business partner, Roy. It read:
“Don’t worry, everything okay. I will give you the details when I arrive.”
What the Telegram Did Not Say
Walt had essentially just lost everything.
He was in New York to negotiate a new contract for distribution of his Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon. Upon arrival,
Walt found that his distributor, who held the rights to Oswald, had hired away most of Disney’s animators to start a new studio and produce the cartoons without Walt.
The Mindset that Makes it Happen No Matter What
With no contract, no income, no product, and no animators —Walt sent the telegram.
Suitcase in hand, Walt boarded his train. He had three days to figure out what to say to Roy when he arrived.
What would you say to your business partner or boss? What emotions and thoughts would dominate your mind on your journey home?
Walt chose his response carefully. Rather than brood the entire trip home, he chose a different path; the alternate mindset.
Don’t Forget Your Idea (Sketch) Book!
Walt became proactive. He took out his sketchbook and got right back to work, creating an entirely new character. This unique creature had all that made Disney, that slapstick humor the viewers so enjoyed and something special, a heart and a soul. Quite a tall order for a lowly mouse!
Later that same year, Walt’s new character, Mickey Mouse, starred in “Steamboat Willy,” the world’s first cartoon with fully synchronized sound.
By the spring of 1929, Mickey had become the world’s greatest cartoon character.
The rest is history. The Disney we know today can trace its legacy back to a difficult train ride in 1928.
Todd Hermann and Two Mindsets
Todd Hermann speaks about the importance of the OWW Brain and the WOW Brain.
In every situation, with every fear or self-doubt, no matter how desperate we may feel, the choice of our next move is ours.
How will you craft your next move?
THE OWW BRAIN CYCLE
Everybody has some part of
their life that’s a struggle.
But many people struggle in
areas where they truly want
to succeed, which creates
stress, anxiety, and worry.
When caught in the OWW
Brain Cycle, no matter what
somebody achieves with
their actions, it’s never good
enough and satisfaction will
always elude them.
THE WOW BRAIN CYCLE
Everybody has some part of
the life that’s easier for them
than others. It’s not that the
effort is easier, it’s that
mental and emotional
resistance isn’t a challenge.
When engaged in the WOW
Brain cycle, achievement
self-perpetuates because
people measure their
improvement and create
feedback loops of learning
and growth.
