the application!

  To all my fellow Disney Parks Moms Panel hopefuls,

Hi there! You don't know me. Well, you may have seen my name attached to some comments or posts on Facebook, but we don't know each other. I can only guess at your personality, beliefs, style, family status, career...and same goes for you. However, with the upcoming DPMP application process about to open, I think we can all safely say that Disney is on our minds...a lot! 

At this moment, we are all prepping; some are stressing, some are emotional, some are chill, a few may back out, a few will procrastinate, a few may already have their finger hovering over the mouse just waiting to click the "Get Started" button.  There are lots of new first timers and many veterans of the process. I read somewhere ( I seriously can't remember where) that there are an estimated 10-30 THOUSAND applicants each year and only a very few, possibly only 1 opening for any given specialty. DON'T FREAK OUT!  I know it sounds cliche, but there are no losers here! If you apply and make it, YAY!!! If you apply and don't make it, YAY!!!

Want to know why?
It's Disney, baby!
Pixie dust abounds!
Magic awaits!

Did I drink the LeFeu's Brew?
        You bet I did! 
Did I apply?
        You bet your Mickey Ears I did! 
Did I make it?
       I rocked Round One like an Aerosmith RollerCoaster and my dream fizzled after Round Two like it was the stroke of midnight for Cinderella!
Did I survive?
        Y'all! I survived and thrived like Groot!  Let me tell you why...

Last year, I happened to be on my 2 blog attempt, trying to learn how to monetize, get followers, heck, just get some comments! I love my day job, but had a "work from home mom" dream that I just couldn't get traction on. I never found my rythm with the blog, or gaining an audience. I was trying this new Amazon FBA thing as well. Blah, blah, blah...lot's of irons in the fire!

Last year, I also just happened to stumble over this fun Disney Parks Mom Panel gig that was taking applications. I had actually used the panel for some questions while Disney trip planning but never gave the actual panel a thought. I just assumed it was a Walt Disney World online job, part of their digital presence. I thought, that sounds like a BLAST! I filled out the application, hit send, crossed my fingers and started searching Face Book for other Mom Panel hopefuls! 

What in Fantasyland?!?! There are other Disney fanatics like me? How have I never known about them?  Oh my fairy godmother! There are actual groups for DPMP applicants!?!?! I have found my Disney loving tribe!!!!

So I joined the group of Darlings and waited for our trip to Neverland. 

Whilst waiting to hear if I would move on to Round 2, I 'virtually" met some magical people, read some tips, and then came "Blog Share Fridays"! Other hopefuls that had blogs were posting their Disney Magic. I have a blog. I love Disney! Why don't I try to blog about my Disney experiences and such?

*******
Here is where I stop with the internal monologue play-by-play, sum it up and get to the point!

We get stuck in a rut. We have jobs. We have responsibilities. We have life. When you want to make a change, it's hard to do while you are in a rut. You need a catalyst for change. You need to step outside your comfort zone ( I'm an overthinking introvert) and try something new every once in a while. When you try something completely new, it's like your brain starts firing a whole new spark that burns a whole new brainwave, that leads to an entirely new way of looking at something. 

In my case, applying for the Panel focused my vision for my career path and was the catalyst to some real changes!  I did not make it past round 2 but I did start blogging about Disney. The blogging about Disney led me to have a better thought out blog structure. The better blog structure got me thinking that I really love writing (always have) and maybe I can blog for others. The blogging for others led me to other forums and 12 months later...I am closer to the "work from home mom" dream than ever before!

As I type this, I know I have neglected the blog for too long, but I am in my fifth month of building a Virtual Assistant career! I have steady clients and am in negotiations with a company to handle a few blog posts per week. 

This is not a post to brag! Honestly there are probably many of you that have been way more successful in blogging and such. This post is to let you all know, mainly the newbies, that as corny as it sounds, getting that coveted spot on the panel is not the only WIN here.  This may be just the spark, catalyst, pixie dust you need in your life to get the ball rolling in a new and exciting direction. This process will introduce new people and ideas and you will make new friends! You will have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips from some of the happiest people on Facebook, and you can even meet them if you happen to be at Disney World at the same time without seeming like a stalker!

So, good luck to all! First timers, it will be OK, because even if you lose, you win. Veterans, let's do this!  Take a deep breath, get ready to change your world, and May the Force be With You!