I just finished a great little book -- Wooden, A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and off the Court by the late John Wooden with Steve Jamison. I think Coach Wooden was the greatest coach of all time, in any sport, and this book reinforced that opinion.
Coach Wooden was, in many ways, way ahead of his time. He was talking and teaching the mental game before modern sports psychologists knew what the mental game was. It's funny, because a lot of the foundation of his unparalleled coaching success is rooted in old-fashioned American values and wisdom. I was struck by both how profound and simple he was.
The following are excerpts of some of my favorite quotes from this book, which I highly recommend that you check out:
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Character is what you really are. Reputation is what people say you are."
"Early on, I came to believe you should learn as if you were going to live forever, and live as if you were going to die tomorrow."
"Seek individual opportunities to offer a genuine compliment."
Regarding the desire to win, the correct question is: "Did I give my best effort?"
Regarding those who don't perform well under pressure, "They're thinking about living up to the expectations of everybody else instead of just doing the best they can."
"Mix idealism with realism and add hard work. This will often bring much more than you could ever hope for."
"The team is the star, never an individual player."
"We're all underachievers to different degrees."
"Understand that the harder you work, the more luck you will have."
On playing aggressively and to win, "The team that makes the most mistakes will probably win."
"I valued a player who cared for others and could lose himself in the group for the good of the group."
"I think neatness and courtesy make you feel good about yourself. I think individuals who feel good about themselves are more productive."
"Promise yourself to let your friends know that there is something special in them and that you value."
"Success is the peace of mind that comes from the knowledge that you did the best of which you are capable."
"You respect every one. You simply make the strongest effort to prepare to the fullest extent of your abilities. The result will take care of itself, and you should be willing to accept it."
"In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail." -- Wilfred A. Peterson
"I consider it (coaching) a sacred trust."
"I believe when an individual constantly works under pressure, he or she will respond automatically when faced with it during competition."
"Develop a love for details. They usually accompany success."
"If you get caught up in things over which you have no control, it will adversely affect the things over which you have control."
"You're just as good as any one, but you're no better than anybody."
"Industriousness and enthusiasm are the cornerstones of the pyramid of success."
"Enthusiasm ignites plain old work and transforms it into industriousness."
"In the many years before we won a championship I overcame the disappointment by not living in the past. To do better in the future, you have to work on the 'right now.' Dwelling in the past prevents you from doing something in the present. Complaining, whining, and making excuses just keeps you out of the present."
"You can't have poise and confidence unless you've prepared correctly."
"What is competitive greatness? It's being at your best when your best is needed. It's enjoying the challenge when things become difficult, even very difficult."
"It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it."
"Earn the right to be proud and confident."
"Don't permit the fear of failure to prevent effort. We are all imperfect and will fail on occasions, but fear of failure is the greatest failure of all."
"We are many, but are we much?"
"Make each day your masterpiece."
See why so many revered Coach Wooden? He will be missed, but his wisdom lives on ... and continues to make an impact.
See you on the field,
Coach Rut
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