Wooden: A Lifetime of Reflections
John Wooden
Summary
From the most successful basketball coach in college sports history (he won 88 games in a row across 4 seasons), Wooden was not only know for winning but also creating great men. He discusses things that helped him coach people to be great.
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Notes
Be the best you can be in whatever endeavour you choose to undertake
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Youngsters need role models more than they need critics
Never lie, never cheat, never steal, don’t complain, don’t whine, don’t make excuses
Make each day your masterpiece
Keep trying to do what is right, no matter how hard it is and how often you fail
‘Never believe you’re better than anyone else but remember you’re just as good as everyone else’
Family is first. Always. Always
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation
Learn as if you were going to live forever and live as if you were going to die tomorrow
Try not to be a man of success but rather become a man of value - Albert Einstein
Try your hardest in all ways and you are a success. Do less than that and you have failed to one degree or another
Don’t let success in the past cloud your judgement. You only have control over the present, right now
Proper preparation and attention to details are the key to success
There is a price for achieving anything of significance. You must be willing to pay it
Recognition appeals to the ego but it is a secondary consideration and often counter productive
Reflection of the smallest details make big things happen
The harder you work, the more luck you’ll have
Take what is available and make the most of it
Adversity often produces unexpected opportunity. Look for it and utilize it.
You must never stand still. You’re either moving upward a little bit or you’re going the other way
Focus on improving yourself and giving your full effort rather than comparing yourself to the other team as indicated by a score
The most essential thing for a leader is the respect of his people. Make it clear you are working together
The only goal of criticism or discipline is improvement
Knowledge alone is not enough to get desired results. You must have the more elusive ability to teach and motivate
Develop a love for details. They usually accompany success
Every single member of your team needs to feel wanted and appreciated
Don’t look for the big, quick improvements. Seek small improvement one day at a time, because it’ll last
If you get caught up in things over which you have no control, it will adversely affect the things over which you have control
People learn more effectively if info is given in bite sized amounts rather than everything at once
Those that matter don’t mind and those that mind don’t matter
Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming
Worthwhile things only come from work
You must believe in yourself if you expect others to believe in you
Competitive greatness is enjoying the challenge when things become very difficult
Happiness begins where selfishness ends
What is right is more important than who is right
Don’t let making a living prevent you from making a life
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