Imagine a world where a mouse can be a chef, a city is run by animals, and old houses can fly. How did Walt Disney turn these wild ideas into a $200 billion company that everyone loves? There’s a secret behind his magic: it’s called Disney’s Creative Strategy, and it uses three special ways of thinking. So, how does it work, and how can you use it to achieve the same success?
Disney’s Creative Thinking Process
There are 8 billion people in the world, and every year, at least 8 billion ideas are born. But why do only a few of those ideas become reality? This is where Disney thinks outside the box. What does Disney do differently to create unforgettable movies and products like Tarzan, The Lion King, and Aladdin?
Disney uses a special process called the Creative Thinking Process. They separate their work into three phases: the Dreamer, the Realist, and the Critic. In each phase, the team focuses only on that phase’s tasks, without worrying about the next step.
To make this process even more effective, Disney has different rooms or areas for each phase. When a team finishes one phase, they move to a new room that fits the next phase’s vibe, helping them get into the right mindset.
So, how can you use these phases to bring your own ideas to life?
The Dreamer
The first stage is all about dreaming without limits. In this phase, the team can share any idea, no matter how wild, without fear of criticism. This helps create a big pool of creative ideas. Many people think they aren’t creative, but often, we’re just holding ourselves back or are limited by our surroundings.
How to be a Dreamer?
Imagine if anything were possible, with no restrictions or pressure. How would you describe your vision for your career, business, or life?
What will give you passion and what will make you feel happy?
f your dream comes true, what will you see and what will you gain? Try to imagine in your mind how your dreams come true.
Answer these questions freely and quickly. Don’t worry about whether your ideas are practical right now. The goal is to let your imagination run wild. Don’t rush to doubt yourself.
The Realist
Now, the team switches to a new place and mode to think in a more logical and planning-focused style. Based on the ideas from the Dreamer stage, the team now assumes that the dream is possible and starts putting plans in place to achieve it. The goal is to turn these imaginative ideas into a manageable action plan.
How to be realist?
How will I take action? How do I make a plan and what are the steps to success?
What needs to be done today, tomorrow, next week, and next month?
What resources do I have, and how can I use them properly?
Who can help me, and where can I find assistance and guidance?
How can I get more resources and a wider platform?
This phase can feel overwhelming, so create a step-by-step plan. The first step is always the hardest, but taking 0.0001% action is far better then 0.
The Critic
After creating an action plan to turn the idea into reality, the Critic phase aims to review the plan and find any weaknesses. Basically, the critic tries to punch holes in the plan by playing the devil’s advocate.
How to be a critic?
How do I really feel about it? Is this the best I can do?
What can make it better? Does this make sense?
How does it look to a customer, client, expert, or user?
Is it worth working on this idea? Can I improve it?
Remember, it’s the idea that is being criticized, NOT the person who came up with it.
Most Important: Set Deadlines
Time limits are crucial for each phase. Imagine you’re building a house. The Dreamer designs it, the Realist makes the blueprint, and the Critic checks for flaws. If any of these phases drag on too long, the house never gets built. Keep things moving by setting clear deadlines for each phase.
Conclusion
This three-phase strategy shows how to turn big creative ideas into reality by balancing imagination with practicality. It helps turn ideas into real, usable products. Apple has used this approach to create unique and user-friendly products that stand out and capture attention worldwide.
