Principles from Walt Disney
"Embracing the Unknown: Cultivating Comfort with Not Knowing"
Estimated reading time (5 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
Principle of the Week
“Don’t be afraid to admit your ignorance.” by Walt Disney.
Walt Disney's journey to create Disneyland, the world's first-ever theme park, was not without its challenges. In the early days of planning, Disney faced skepticism from financial backers and industry experts. He was met with skepticism and doubt while presenting his vision to potential investors. One meeting with a potential investor took a particularly discouraging turn.
During a meeting with a financier, Disney was met with skepticism about the feasibility of creating a theme park. The investor asked a series of detailed questions about the logistics and financial projections, to which Disney responded, "I don't know." This candid admission of ignorance surprised the investor and led to a shift in the conversation. Instead of dismissing Disney's idea, the investor offered insights and suggestions. This turn of events eventually led to the partnership that helped fund the creation of Disneyland.
“All you’ve got to do is own up to your ignorance honestly, and you’ll find people who are eager to fill your head with information.”
Walt Disney's willingness to admit his own lack of knowledge at that moment transformed a potentially discouraging encounter into a collaborative discussion. This story highlights how embracing vulnerability and admitting ignorance can sometimes pave the way for unexpected opportunities and breakthroughs.
Question to Ponder
Can you think of a time or a situation where you didn’t know the answer but were afraid to admit ignorance?
Call to Action
Challenge yourself to approach situations with a willingness to admit when you don't have all the answers.
To become comfortable with not knowing, you can use the "Growth Mindset Framework," which involves adopting a mindset that embraces challenges and treats failures as opportunities for learning and growth. Here's how you can apply this framework:
1. Embrace Curiosity: Cultivate a sense of curiosity about the world around you. Instead of feeling threatened by what you don't know, approach it with excitement and an eagerness to learn. Ask questions and seek to understand new concepts.
2. Shift from Fixed to Growth Mindset: Adopt a growth mindset, where you see challenges as opportunities to improve and learn. Understand that your abilities and knowledge can be developed over time with effort and practice. Embrace challenges as a chance to expand your horizons.
3. Embrace Mistakes and Failures: View mistakes and failures as essential steps on the growth path. Instead of fearing failure, see it as a valuable learning experience. Analyze what went wrong, extract lessons, and use those insights to improve in the future.
4. Practice Humility: Recognize that no one has all the answers. Be humble in acknowledging that there's always more to learn. Embrace the idea that admitting ignorance is a sign of strength, as it opens the door to new opportunities for growth and understanding.
5. Seek Feedback: Seek feedback from others to learn from their experiences and knowledge. Constructive criticism and different perspectives can help you expand your understanding and challenge your assumptions.
6. Embrace Lifelong Learning: Commit to continuous learning and personal development. Set aside time to explore new topics, read books, take courses, and engage in activities that challenge your existing knowledge.
7. Reframe Challenges: When faced with something you don't know, reframe it as an exciting challenge rather than a source of anxiety. Approach it with the mindset that you have the capacity to learn and adapt.
8. Practice Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness and self-awareness to become more attuned to your thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness can help you manage any discomfort that comes with not knowing and allow you to respond more positively.
9. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress in becoming more comfortable with not knowing. Recognize the times when you've successfully embraced the unknown and learn from those experiences.
10. Reflect Regularly: Regularly reflect on your growth and the times when you stepped out of your comfort zone. Keep a journal to document your journey and remind yourself of your progress.
By applying this Growth Mindset Framework, you can develop a more positive attitude towards not knowing, view it as an opportunity for growth, and ultimately become more comfortable with uncertainty in your personal and professional life.
Video of the Week
Walt Disney created a legacy that continues to inspire people around the world. This video will take you through 10 of his most valuable life lessons, including the importance of imagination, persistence, and never losing sight of your goals.
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 93 - The First 100 with Jimmy Soni, the Author of The Founders
Episode 92 - The First 100 with Chris Barton, the co-founder of Shazam
Episode 91 - The First 100 with Waseem Daher, CEO and co-founder of Pilot
Things I Came Across This Week
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