Lessons Learned from a Mouse
Jessica Jordan R.
Executive Communications Advisor & Brand Strategist helping you sell the value of your experience. Contact me for brand development, executive & board resumes, executive coaching, speaking & presentations, and more!
Fun is hard work, y'all. In less than a week at Disney, I walked 98,725 steps, or 40.46 miles.
The more important lesson learned - people experience things differently.
I loved the Haunted Mansion at age 3; my son hated it at age 5. He endured it stoically, but loathed every second. Then, the ride got stuck for a few minutes in the dark hallway with all the knocking doors and I was ready to go pick up my worst parent award right then.
He grudgingly forgave us, although he did tell me later that evening that he no longer trusted us. (My parents, who accompanied us, found this statement to be hilarious.)
Another lesson - cheerleading only works if the person wants to be cheer-led.
We lined up to ride Dinosaur no less than twice and stepped out of line as many times. I told him he didn't have to ride, but I didn't want him to miss out on something fun. I reminded him that he was strong and brave, and that we'd be right there with him.
He was quiet for a moment, then said, "Mommy, I know you think I can do this...But I am just not the person you think I am."
Yet another lesson - you can have different definitions of fun and have fun together.
He LOVED so many of the rides: the spinning teacups, Splash Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Alien Swirling Saucers, and of course, it's a small world. We let him control his experience and he had such a wonderful time, he didn't want to leave.
Final Lesson - we can't control others' experiences, but we can build shared experiences that allow both parties to grow, improve, and bond.
I think I heard that in a Disney movie.
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Bonus Lesson - Appearances can be deceiving.
I really do love roller coasters...