In 2012, I resolved to work smarter and with more love, to raise the bar on creativity, and to deliver more every day for my clients and myself. This year also marked my first-ever trip to Disney World.

What do these things have in common, you ask?

I had plenty of mixed feelings about my Disney adventure at first—excited to spend time with family but not so sure Aunt Joanna would love the Disney experience itself.

Then, like magic, shortly before my trip, Marie Forleo tweeted a new-to-me quote from Walt Disney:

“Disneyland is a work of love. We didn’t go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money.”

Looking at Disney World through that lens really upped the appreciation factor for me. I learned that, regardless of my opinion on the work itself, it’s mighty hard to hate on someone’s work of love.

Seeing that first quote prompted me to look at more words from Walt, like this gem on how to succeed:

“Just do your best work—then try to trump it.”

Awesome!

Or Walt's profit formula:

“I suppose my formula might be: dream, diversify and never miss an angle.”

Almost 50 years after his death, Walt Disney continues to be relevant and his work still oozes passion—that’s a pretty magical accomplishment.

Have you ever learned a lesson from an unexpected source? Tell me in the comments.

Sources: How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Magic Every Day of Your Life ( 2004), by Pat Williams, with Jim Denney, and “Walt’s Profit Formula: Dream, Diversity, and Never Miss an Angle” in Wall Street Journal (4 February 1958).