RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

I'm reading a new book called "Dream It! Do It!  My Half-Century Creating Disney's Magic Kingdom."

It's written by Marty Sklar.  Marty is a Disney legend and Imagineer.  I am picking up so many great ideas from this book about connecting with children and families and leadership.

Yesterday I shared the first 25.  Here's 25 more...

Be optimistic - if you are not positive, who else will be?

Courage and confidence are major cross streets on the road to success.

Make curiosity your search engine.

Learn to love your next assignment - be passionate about whatever you do.

Provide time to explore - but deadlines are great motivation and discipline.

Take time to teach - mentors are important.

Forget the politics - it's not an election.

Traditions are important - but change is the great dynamic.

Team and work are four-letter words - but together they spell "winner."

Remember, the last three letters of trend are E-N-D.

Speak up.  Great teammates raise issues before decisions are made.

Never be afraid to ask questions.  That's how we learn our parts - onstage and backstage.

Make your experience count.  That's why you're on the team.

Help the rookies succeed.  You were "new" once, too.

Understand your role - everyone has a job to do.

Never fear failure - winners sometimes fail, too!

But - know when to take a chance and always let your leaders know you're doing it.

Play by the rules.  If you disagree, work to change them after the game.

Share the joy of success - you didn't do it by yourself.

Support your teammates - at Disney, there's only one name on the door.

There are two ways to look at a blank sheet of paper.  It can be the most frightening thing in the world,  because you have to make the first mark on it.  Or it can be the greatest opportunity in the world, because you get to make the first mark - you can let your imagination fly in any direction, and create whole new worlds.

Never lose your faith in family entertainment.

When we go into a project , we believe in it all the way.  We have confidence in our ability to do it right.  And we work hard to do the very best job possible.

I go from one area of the studio to another and gather pollen and sort of stimulate everybody.  I guess that's my job. - Walt Disney

Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life.