basketball

Although John Wooden, the most celebrated and distinguished coach in college basketball history did not quite make it to his 100th birthday, his words of encouragement and his “building blocks for a better life”—his PYRAMID OF SUCCESS, will continue to inspire—forever. Coach Wooden was a gifted teacher, a spiritually inspiring, and generous man.

Never knew him. Saw him sitting in the stands of the UCLA basketball games and decided not to ask for his autograph but purchased one of his books instead. I enjoy reading self-help books that formulate possible cognitive (thought) inducing patterns that are part of what a successful person uses or has developed to promote success. I like to share Wooden’s pyramid with my students as a resource they might use as a building block to their own success. Wooden learned from his dad, a Midwestern farmer, not to compare himself with someone else but to be the best that he could be and this he advised to think about and do everyday. According to Wooden, “Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” I appreciate this definition. We each have the responsibility to discover what our own “best” is.

Many of my students who achieve incredible results on their various assignments express disappointment with these results. Others are discouraged at the beginning of a project or midway through.

A bread baker looks for that perfect loaf—the cake artist wants to create the perfect project. Students go forth and do your best. The main thing is to do and not fear the results. We need to delight in our results and learn from the experience which will be applied to the next ………. And have fun.

Thank you, coach John Wooden.

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