10 Inspirational Quotes From Walt Disney

10 Inspirational Quotes From Walt Disney

It’s no secret that Walt Disney is one of my heroes.

His story is so inspiring to me: a man from humble beginnings who devoted his life to making people happier and giving all of us permission to never grow up.

Chris and I love Disney movies, and we frequently vacation at the Disney parks (why go anywhere else?). The Walt Disney Family Museum here in San Francisco is a must see if you ever vacation in the bay area.

Since I help women make their lives sweeter, I’d like to share my favorite quotes from Walt Disney so you can be inspired to make your lives magical too.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Following a dream isn’t always easy. It might just be the bravest, most difficult thing you’ll ever do.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

Absolutely! There comes a point when we have to stop talking and thinking and wishing and dreaming and finally get off our butts and do what we need to do. A little motivation helps too.

“The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.”

Are you being your true self? Do you feel good about yourself? When we’re feeling insecure, it’s tempting to play it safe and fade into the background. But being true to our own desires makes us special and makes our lives worth living.

“We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public.”

When you do anything in your life that’s outside of the little box that people want to stick you in, you’ll most certainly face some criticism—often from the people you care about the most.

Think about who you are trying to please. Who are the people who really matter? If you have a business, create offerings and products that your ideal customer wants, not what those critics say you should make.

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island and at the bottom of the Spanish Main. And best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life.”

Love this quote! Books are magical in that they can transport you anywhere. They comfort me when I’m in pain, celebrate with me when I’m happy, and motivate me to be a better person.

“I don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they’re in the park [Disneyland]. I want them to feel they’re in another world.”

If you’ve ever been to one of the Disney parks, then you totally get this. They are like stepping into another world, and all your troubles and stresses from the real world don’t exist there.

When people are with you, they should feel special too. Do you make your kids feel like the most important people in the world? Is your home a clean, inviting sanctuary that you’re delighted to return to after a long day?

“A man should never neglect his family for business.”

This one is obvious, but it’s also something we tend to forget. Remember your priorities and what’s most important to you. Years from now, I doubt you’ll miss the time you could have been at work, but you’ll most certainly miss the time you could have been with your family.

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”

Everyone needs a wakeup call sooner or later. When you fail at something in your life, that doesn’t mean that you yourself are a failure. Overcoming obstacles makes us more resilient. I don’t know about a kick in the teeth, but maybe we could all use a kick in the butt.

“I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.”

Being an optimist has greatly improved my life. Choosing happiness doesn’t mean that all the bad stuff disappears. It means that you’ll be better able to handle it when it does show up in your life.

“Of all the things I’ve done, the most vital is coordinating those who work with me and aiming their efforts at a certain goal.”

As a life coach, this quote has a special meaning for me. It’s one thing to reach your own goals, but you experience a whole other level of meaning and purpose when you lift people up so they can achieve success.

Thanks for the wisdom, Walt!

What’s your favorite Disney movie?

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7 Comments

  1. Shybiker on March 2, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    Great quotations. Walt was quite a guy. Growing up, I saw many of his movies and they left a mark.



  2. Martha on March 1, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    Definitely some great quotes. I’m a big fan of good old Walt myself 🙂



    • Sage Grayson on March 2, 2013 at 9:52 am

      Thanks, Martha. Disney stuff inspires me to think more creatively.



  3. Sarah @ This Is What I Eat on March 1, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    What a great collection of quotes! They all ring true but I really love “the more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.” I’m a big believer in being yourself, not conforming and embracing what makes you different 🙂



    • Sage Grayson on March 2, 2013 at 9:54 am

      Yes! We all need to embrace being ourselves: the funny parts, the weird parts, the not-so-good parts.



  4. Molly on March 1, 2013 at 9:56 am

    Great quotes! I’m very much a lover of quotes, so I really enjoyed reading these. I especially like the one about books. SO true!



    • Sage Grayson on March 2, 2013 at 9:53 am

      Books are wonderful, and I never understand people who don’t read. I love collecting good quotes.