HOW TO DREAM IT LIKE DISNEY
Ever rallied the troops for a brainstorming session, only to power through post-its and get nowhere fast?
Step this way and learn how to dream it like Disney.
The man behind the mouse was more than just a creative genius. He turned imagination into money like no other. So what was his secret strategy? And how could it work for you?
There’s only one way to find out. *Pulls out wand*
The method behind the magic
Disney’s imagineering strategy was distilled into three distinct hats, the Dreamer, the Realist and the Critic.
Basically, you go big without limits, use logic to reel it in, then use your gut and experience to evaluate the best idea. It’s three different kinds of thinking, divergent, convergent and critical. But the secret is using different hats at different times to unlock winning results.
Want to know how it’s done? Hat’s on, let’s go.
Step one: Become the Dreamer
There’s no wrong answers when you wear the Dreamer hat. So explore, experiment and ignore the limitations. Go wild, go big, don’t hold back. Ask, what would you do if you could do anything?
How we do it: Use brainstorming tools to come up with as many ideas as possible. Reach 50 ideas, do it again.
Step two: Become the Realist
It’s time to get real, narrow in and make the impossible possible. Assess ideas against the brief. Consider all the constraints. Then refine, cull and put them all into buckets. Ask, how could we actually execute these ideas?
How we do it: Get fresh eyes from someone else to help sense-check what’s doable. Kill your darlings along the way.
Step three: Become the critic
Finally, turn your nose up and get ruthless. Choosing the best of the best takes a critical lens, a sharp gut instinct and a hefty dose of experience. Ask, which idea nails the brief, beyond reasonable doubt?
How we do it: Some people are natural discerners. We bring in the big guns to question, prod and poke until we land the answer.
READY TO Catch your mouse?
While other’s spin wheels wearing all three hats at once, Disney’s secret was in the sequence. He donned each hat at different times, bringing focus to the task at hand.
So dream it like Disney. Know which hat you’re wearing, go big, reel it in, land your next winning idea. And make it magic along the way.
LIKING HOW WE THINK?
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