Staying Power

Lynnette and I went on a Disney Cruise, courtesy of my parents for our annibirthChristmasday present. I enjoyed myself more that I thought I would and disembarked a huge fan of the Disney organization for one simple reason: their commitment to excellence. Their boat, like their parks, is spotless, and smiling, helpful crewmembers are nearly everywhere to answer questions and point you in the right direction.

Of course, because it was a Disney cruise, there were a few characters on board. Goofy, Donald, Minnie, and others made several appearances to the delight of young fans and my wife. And, inevitably, the Mouse was there as well.

When Mickey Mouse enters a room, everything stops. Kids stop whining, adults stop listening, people stop working, and clocks stop ticking. In a single entrance, this rodent can captivate individuals between the ages of 8 months and 80 years. With his costumed, cartooned appearance, Mickey Mouse has more staying power than any other movie mogul or Hollywood icon. It’s mind-boggling.

Think about it: the recent Disney films of note include The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, The Incredibles and Finding Nemo. I’ll even throw in Honey I Shrunk the Kids for you live action fans. But Mr. Mouse hasn’t appeared on the big screen since his cameo in Who Framed Roger Rabbit back in 1988. So how is it that the furry guy can have an appeal to millions who have never seen his silver screen work in their lifetime? Can you name another actor with such a mass appeal who hasn’t made a feature length film in nearly 20 years? In today’s easy-come-easy-go world where you’re hot today and cold tomorrow, this character should have already been on the Surreal Life.

Behold the power of marketing. Due to video games, the Disney Channel, and the Disney Store, Mickey has had a large career of late that has gone unnoticed by non-parents. Chances are, those little tykes screaming for Mickey in the atrium of the ship have seen him on their PlayStations and in their living rooms over and over again. So to have Mickey in the flesh was the high point of their young lives. He waltzed off of their HDTV and into their small worlds and he got the same reaction he would have received after he filmed his “Fantasia” segment years ago.

Being a mascot for a billion dollar corporation has also kept Mickey in the spotlight. Unlike ex-Presidents, there’s something about Mickey that makes us want to hear him whenever he’s got something to say. He’s not like those annoying relatives who want to stop by anytime they’re within a two hundred mile radius of your home. He stays relevant, important, and wanted.

This is exactly the kind of impact many of us want to have. We want to be able to touch lives long after our contributions have ceased to make headlines. We want to be wanted by others. We want to know that we can all receive a warm welcome when we walk into rooms. And we all want to be remembered for our highlight reel and not our mistake memory bank. We may not have the same tools available to the World’s Most Famous Mouse, but we’ve all got our circles of influence, 24 hour days, and unlimited possibility. Walt Disney himself reminds us, “It all started with a mouse.” A simple idea went on to form the bedrock of the legacy of one Mickey Mouse. The same can be true for you. Find a blank sheet of paper and start drawing.