How many dreams and ideas have you had, that never got anywhere?
For example, I would like to:
– make a big change in my life
– get out of the rut I am in
– go for that fantastic job
– start exercising and eat healthily
– leave my boring job and start my own business
But just as quickly come the thoughts, Sounds lovely, but:
– I’d never be able to do that
– I’ll just end up failing and suffer disappointment
– it’s too much for me
– I just wasn’t made for it
– I can’t see how to do it
What does Walt Disney have to do with this?
No doubt about it – Walt Disney was a genius. Who has not been impressed by what he has created? What was his secret? Robert Dilts, an author, developer and NLP consultant studied Walt Disney and modelled his successful method of working. He called it Walt Disney’s Creativity Strategy – and you can use it too.
The strategy can be used to realise a dream, a goal, something you wish to reach for. All too often our dreams and wishes are sabotaged by our inner critic, who jumps in and squashes our dreams before they can become reality. But one needs to plan HOW a dream can be carried out, so it doesn’t just remain a dream to be squashed. This link is often missing.
How can we use Disney’s model?
Dilts noticed that Disney’s strategy was to divide the execution of his vision into 3 parts, each part with a specific role: the Dreamer, the Realist/Planner and the constructive Critic. We can apply this model consciously to accomplish what we dream about in our personal life, by taking on these consecutive roles.
The Dreamer
The dreamer is the part of us that has ideas and visions, that brainstorms, that wishes and longs for, without thoughts of how. Step into the role of the Dreamer by asking yourself:
– What is my dream? What do I wish for?
– What do I want to do?
– What are all the good things about it?
– What will it mean to me? What will it mean to others?
The Realist/Planner
Once the Dreamer has answered these questions, it’s the turn of the Planner. The Planner is the part that thinks about how an idea can be carried out; the step-by-step method. Step into the Planner role by asking and answering the following questions:
– How can I realise this dream?
– How can I divide this task into sections?
– What do I do step-by-step?
– What resources do I need? For example: time and money needed, people who can help.
– How will I know I have accomplished each step?
The Critic
Next, let the Planner pass the task to the constructive, evaluating Critic. It is important that the Critic is constructive in their questions and does not just say, “It can’t be done”. Step into the Critic’s role by asking yourself:
– What’s missing in this plan? What doesn’t fit?
– Which problems could arise?
– Who could be against it? Would it affect anyone negatively?
– Where or how might it not work?
IMPORTANT: Do not answer these questions from this position. Just ask them. It is also vital that they are asked lovingly, with a wish to be helpful. The Critic wants to succeed just as much as the Dreamer does!
When the Critic has finished formulating questions, give the task back to the Dreamer and let the Dreamer come up with ideas that answer the Critic’s questions. When the Dreamer has done this, pass the task on to the Planner to plan how these new ideas can be carried out. Then allow the Critic to ask questions about these new plans. Let the dream circulate in this sequence, around the 3 positions until the Critic is ready to say “OK, go for it”.
It is important to keep the roles separate, ie do not let the roles get muddled. You can probably see why it is important to give the Dreamer and Planner time and space to do their work, without interference from the Critic.
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This is an example of an NLP technique which I carry out in my practice, which can help you realise your dreams and loosen up situations you feel trapped in. Contact me today, to find out how we can make your dreams a reality, together.
Dream big!
#NLP #WaltDisney #creativity #liveyourdream #howtodoit #therapywithkaren #personalgrowth #youcandoit
References
https://nlp-now.co.uk/what-is-the-nlp-disney-strategy/
https://nlp-now.co.uk/use-disney-strategy/?doing_wp_cron=1633082224.9469521045684814453125
https://lateralaction.com/articles/walt-disney/
https://www.changequest.co.uk/blog/using-disney-creativity-strategy/
https://www.apro-kom.dk/cm119/
Photo by Madhuri Mohite on Unsplash