When the United States was founded, it was built on the hope of a fresh start—a place where people could create their own lives and pursue their goals. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims “that all men are created equal, with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This gives each of us the freedom to create a rich and meaningful life for ourselves and our families. Becoming a small business owner is a powerful example of someone actively pursuing that dream.
One remarkable example of living the American Dream is Walt Disney. Born in 1901, he started with a simple love of drawing cartoons and went on to build one of the greatest amusement parks in the world: Disney World. Many things contributed to the massive success of his dream, but three key components, as outlined in the book How to Be Like Walt, stand out:
Vision – Your vision is your personal definition of success. We each have our own. For many, the fulfillment of a meaningful project is the ultimate goal. In Walt Disney’s case, money wasn’t the main pursuit—it was a means to fund the dream. He used his earnings to support cartoon creation, movie production, and eventually, the building of Disneyland and Disney World. Financial success was a tool, not the goal.
Communication – The clearer your vision and your ability to share it, the more powerfully it can come to life. Having a detailed, vivid vision can be difficult—but essential. Walt Disney imagined every part of his parks down to the location of a bench where he could sit and watch visitors enjoying the experience. A vision becomes powerful only when it can be shared. To pitch the idea of the first full-length animated movie, Walt performed the entire story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to his animation team—giving each character a distinct voice and personality. After the performance, he simply told his team: “Now go make it.”
People Skills – We can accomplish more by working together. The ability to delegate, manage, inspire loyalty, and build a team will turn a vision into reality faster and more effectively. A coach is a great example of how people skills bring dreams to life—someone who taps into the strengths of each team member, offers encouragement, and ensures results. Without action, a vision remains just a dream.
Each July, we celebrate the birth of our nation. It’s a time to fire up the grill, watch fireworks, listen to music, and gather with neighbors. But it’s also an ideal time to reflect. I challenge you: take time to define your vision. Clearly communicate it with those who can help bring it to life. Then guide it—and your actions—with purpose and determination.
Mary Guldan-Lindstrom, CPA
