The Walt Disney Strategy

This macro strategy was developed by Walt Disney, the co-founder of the world-famous Disney Company. Disney was known for his vivid imagination and strong vision. He clearly separated three different phases of goal setting, distinguishing them both spatially and temporally. These phases or positions were: the Creative Dreamer, the Realistic Planner, and the Constructive Critic. For each of these roles, Walt Disney had a specific room that helped him enter the ideal mental state for that phase.



  1. Mark three distinct spots in your space. Ensure each area fits the mindset required for the role (dreaming, planning, or critiquing).
  2. Move through each position quickly at first to get a sense of the overall process.
  3. Take the position of the Dreamer.
  4. Recall a time when you were creative and imaginative. Get into that mindset. If that’s hard, think of someone who is highly creative and imagine how they do it. The goal is to reach a state in which dreaming and generating new ideas come easily.
  5. Leave the Dreamer position and take a brief break. Use a separator.
  6. Now take the position of the Realistic Planner.

    Recall a time when you were able to plan carefully and realistically, or think of someone who does this well.
    Choose one of your Dreamer’s ideas and begin planning it.

    1. How could you make this idea a reality?
    2. What steps are necessary?
    3. In what order should they be done?
    4. How long will it take to reach the goal?
    5. What milestones can you set along the way?
  7. Leave the Planner’s position and use another separator.
  8. Now take the position of the Constructive Critic.

    Recall a situation where you were able to give thoughtful and constructive feedback—when you identified weaknesses and potential obstacles early. Or think of someone with this skill. Feel yourself enter that state. Review the Dreamer’s and Planner’s results and reflect on them.

    1. What’s missing?
    2. What hasn’t been considered yet?
    3. Can this plan truly achieve the goal?


Walt Disney Strategy Diagram

If necessary, cycle through the roles again until the Critic agrees that the goal and plan are both achievable and aligned. You can also change the order — for instance, go from the Critic back to the Planner if the main idea is good but the implementation isn’t yet practical, or return from the Planner to the Dreamer to refine the concept further. Experiment and play with this model until it feels complete.