Through all these lessons, I have learned that living a good life is about balance, genuineness, and finding happiness in the everyday moments along the way. It’s a continuous process of learning, growing, and embracing whatever life throws at us. It is also about taking time for self-care and reflection. These are lessons learned through the school of hard knocks!
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing David Bossert.
David A. Bossert is an award-winning artist, filmmaker, and author who is a 32-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company where he contributed his talents to Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994), Fantasia/2000 (1999) among many other films. Bossert has also established himself as a prolific award-winning writer, boasting numerous published articles and more than a dozen books. His literary works encompass a variety of subjects, including animation and theme park history, design, the creative process, and he attributes much of his success to his annual retreats spanning more than thirty years, which serve as the foundation for his book, Find Your Happy Place: The 8-Step Guide to Boosting Your Creativity through a Personal Retreat.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I was born in the Astoria, Queens area of New York City and was raised in Massapequa on Long Island’s south shore. I experienced a typically middle-class upbringing. My father was a marketing executive for a major business magazine and a writer, and my mother was a procurement manager for the U.S. Army. I focused on art at Massapequa High School and was fortunate to have the guidance of a very skilled art teacher. He was an accomplished fine artist who showed his work at galleries on Long Island. After high school, I attended an Advertising Art program at the State University of New York at Farmingdale, where I created some animation during a T.V. graphics class. It was the first time that I made my artwork come alive, which I was very proud of. A friend gave me a N.Y. Times article about Disney’s animation legacy and an animation program sponsored by the Studio at CalArts in Valencia California. The CalArts Character Animation program only accepted 30 students a year. I took the shot and sent my portfolio to the school and applied for enrollment. I was lucky enough to be accepted into the program and received a Walt Disney Scholarship that covered a good portion of my tuition.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
Yes, the first book I ever got on animation was Animation: Learn How to Draw Animated Cartoons by Preston Blair. It was published by Walter T. Foster as part of their “How to” art books series. I got it at an art supply store on Long Island and, at that time, it cost me two dollars. That book was my first entry into how animation worked, and it explained the process not just in words but also with drawn examples. It helped me to not just understand the animation process but to fall in love with the idea that I could make my drawings come to life. I still have that book!
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I have made so many mistakes and experienced failures along the way it is difficult to think of one that is the funniest. Mistakes and failures are part of the learning process and should be embraced. They say you can’t have success without experiencing failure, and I think that is so true especially in the creative fields. The important thing is to learn from those mistakes and failures as that is how we all grow.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
My Hope is that when someone reads Find Your Happy Place: The 8-Step Guide to Boosting Your Creativity through a Personal Retreat, they will seriously take time for themself to review where they are and where they want to go. To actually sit in their own thoughts without any outside influences and make a plan — a road map — to live their best life. I don’t want them to just read the book, I want them to take action after reading it and use the book as a guide to change where they are and where they want to go — the path they want to take.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
One of the more compelling stories I shared in my book was about making the difficult yet necessary decision to leave a job that I loved but was no longer happy doing. It was a tough decision, but I told the story from the heart, providing the context needed for readers to understand the circumstances. Although I had deep respect for the company, I found myself unhappy dealing with the less-than-scrupulous managers. This was a pivotal moment for me and a powerful example of how taking a personal retreat allowed me to fully examine the situation from various perspectives and find peace with my decision. It has turned out wonderfully and as I reflect periodically on the choice I made; I have zero regrets because in hindsight it was right change at the right time.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
My “aha moment” moment that made think about doing this Find Your Happy Place book was the interest friends had about my annual personal retreat. In particular, I was having lunch with a writer friend, who also teaches at the UCLA Writers Program, and he was fascinated by how I took a retreat once a year and the fact that I’ve been doing it for more than thirty years. That coupled with the pandemic made me write the first draft of the book.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Like I do with each book I’ve written, I sent the manuscript for Find Your Happy Place: The 8-Step Guide to Boosting Your Creativity through a Personal Retreat out to a bunch of people to read. One of those readers is a former Disney colleague and she had just lost her husband several months earlier. She read the book and sent me a note saying, “…what a thorough and thoughtful plan you laid out in your book…you did get me to plan my days out and carry it through. That’s a big deal to me right now, as I can easily slump into a bad funk if I have too much time on my hands. So, job well done! You made a positive difference in my life.” Her note made me choke up a little because it clearly impacted her in a positive way and that is what I hope will be the case anyone that decides to read the book and apply the steps that have worked so well for me.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
In Find Your Happy Place: The 8-Step Guide to Boosting Your Creativity Through a Personal Retreat, I emphasize the importance of creating space — both mentally and physically — to nurture creativity. Addressing the root of the problem, which is often the lack of time, resources, and support for creative growth, requires a collective effort.
Here are three suggestions that can be done to do to help foster a creative environment for individuals:
- Support for Creative Spaces: Communities can champion the development and preservation of dedicated spaces where individuals can retreat to and focus on not just their creative work but their life path. Whether it’s through public parks, community centers, or even subsidized artist residencies, providing these environments can help individuals find the mental clarity and inspiration that are central to my book’s approach to creativity.
- Promote Work-Life Balance Policies: Politicians can enact and promote policies that encourage a healthy work-life balance, like mandatory vacation time. By reducing burnout and stress, people will have more energy and mental space to engage in creative activities, echoing the principles of taking a personal retreat as outlined in my book.
- Foster Creative Education and Mentorship: In general schools and companies can prioritize creative education and mentorship programs. This can ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have access to the tools and guidance needed to develop their creative potential. This could involve integrating more arts and creative thinking courses in schools or supporting community-based workshops and mentoring programs. I think investing in the creative development of all individuals, we can address the root issue of underutilized creative potential that Find Your Happy Place seeks to solve.
I think that these three things align with my book’s mission to empower individuals to reclaim their creativity through an annual personal retreat.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
For me leadership, particularly in the context of creativity, is about inspiring and empowering others to reach their full potential while at the same time guiding a team toward a shared vision. A creative leader doesn’t just manage tasks; they cultivate an environment where innovation can thrive, encouraging diverse perspectives and risk-taking.
Let’s take a director leading an animated film project as an example. A creative leader in this role would ensure that each team member, from animators to scriptwriters, feels valued and free to express their ideas. They might hold brainstorming sessions where every voice is heard, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that can lead to groundbreaking storytelling. By balancing creative freedom with clear direction, the director can guide the team through creative challenges, ultimately shaping a film that will resonates with an audience. Leadership in creativity is about being a visionary who can nurture talent, encourage experimentation, and bring the team together around a common goal.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
The “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started,” I probably wouldn’t have listened to because when we are all starting out, we know it all! LOL. That said, I think the following 5 things are maybe better learned life lessons:
- Happiness is a journey, not a Destination — When I was younger, I believed that happiness was something I would achieve once I reached certain milestones — like a successful career, financial stability, or personal accolades. I wish someone had told me that happiness is not a finish line but a journey that unfolds daily. As an example, I once worked hard toward a promotion, thinking it would bring me lasting happiness. When I finally achieved it, the satisfaction was fleeting and that I started looking for the next thing. I learned that finding joy in the present moment, in everyday experiences, is what truly improves one’s life. Taking the time to contemplate my goals and intentions helps me stay centered on my journey.
- Take Time to Reflect and Recharge — Life can become a constant hustle if you let it. I wish someone had told me earlier to prioritize time for reflection and recharging. It’s during these moments of stillness that you gain clarity, find balance, and reconnect with what’s truly important. I once went through a period where I was constantly on the go, thinking I needed to be productive every minute of the day. It led to burnout, and it wasn’t until I took time off and started taking my personal retreat that I realized how crucial it is to pause, reflect, and renew your energy regularly.
- Live According to Your Values, Not Others’ Expectations — Early on, I often found myself trying to meet the expectations of others, whether it was in my career, personal life, or social circles. I wish someone had told me to focus on living according to my own values instead. Once, I pursued a career path that others deemed prestigious but wasn’t aligned with my true passions. It wasn’t until I took a step back on my personal retreat and reassessed what mattered to me that I found the courage to make a change and live the life I wanted to lead.
- Invest in Your Creative Community — Building a network of like-minded creative individuals is invaluable. I wish I realized earlier the importance of investing time and resources into my creative community. Whether it was through mentorship, collaboration, or simply sharing ideas, your community can provide support, inspiration, and new opportunities. I once collaborated with a colleague on a project that started as a casual conversation. That partnership turned into a new way of doing something and we both earned several U.S. Patents for our invention.
- Learn to say “no” — I often felt the need to say yes to every opportunity, request, or obligation that came my way. I believed that saying yes would open doors, build relationships, and lead to success. However, this mindset quickly led to burnout, and a lack of focus on what truly mattered to me.
I remember a time when I was juggling multiple projects, personal commitments, and trying to please everyone around me. I thought I was being productive and accommodating but I was spreading myself too thin. I was constantly exhausted, and my work, relationships, and well-being all suffered as a result.
It wasn’t until I learned the power of saying no that things began to change. By setting boundaries and being selective about where I invested my time and energy, I was able to focus on what truly worked for me. I started to prioritize my well-being and dedicate time to my annual personal retreat, which is the basis of my book, Find Your Happy Place: The 8-Step Guide to Boosting Your Creativity through a Personal Retreat.
Through all these lessons, I have learned that living a good life is about balance, genuineness, and finding happiness in the everyday moments along the way. It’s a continuous process of learning, growing, and embracing whatever life throws at us. It is also about taking time for self-care and reflection. These are lessons learned through the school of hard knocks!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote is: “You have to believe in yourself before anyone else will believe in you.” This philosophy has been a guiding principle throughout my life. I’ve found that self-belief is the foundation of success and creativity. When you trust in your abilities and vision, others are more likely to follow suit and support your journey. This mindset has helped me overcome challenges, take bold steps in my career, and inspire others to do the same. It’s a reminder that confidence in your own potential is the first step toward achieving anything meaningful.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
At the beginning of this interview, you asked me about a book that inspired me to take action, and I mentioned Animation: Learn How to Draw Animated Cartoons by Preston Blair, published by Walter T. Foster as part of their “How to” art books series. It’s funny — when I got to this question, the first thing that came to mind was wanting to have lunch with Pauline Molinari, the publisher at Walter Foster Publishing. I’d love to share with her just how impactful that book has been, not only to my career but to so many Disney and other animation artists over the decades. For many of us, it was the only affordable book on animation, and there really weren’t many others out there. I can’t even count how many times Blair’s book has come up in conversations and interviews with animation professionals. Walter Foster books have trained generations of artists who have gone onto amazing careers in the arts!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
It is very easy for your readers to follow me through my website www.davidbossert.com, there are a lot of resources and free content as well as links to all my books. And it is the best way to reach out to me if anyone has questions. I’m also on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author David Bossert Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.