Wooden's Wisdom | Leadership Resource Center

Issue 695 - Why Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success Is a Complete Guide to a Successful Life


Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 13	Issue 695
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WHY COACH WOODEN’S PYRAMID OF SUCCESS IS A COMPLETE GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL LIFE John Wooden Video Clip (87 sec.): Coach Wooden is asked: "What influence did Ward Piggy Lambert have on you?" When Coach Wooden began developing his Pyramid of Success in 1934, his goal was simple: defining success in a way that anyone could pursue success without anxiety. He defined success as follows: "Success is peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you’re capable." This definition removes the anxiety of comparison. It’s not about being better than others, it’s about being your best, every day. Coach Wooden often said: "Never try to be better than someone else but never cease to be the best you can be." That mindset shifts away from external rewards and toward internal growth—is the first step toward achieving true success. As Coach reminded us: "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Character is what you really are. Reputation is only what others think you are." The first step to move forward is to remove anxiety. After creating his definition, Coach Wooden identified 15 building blocks to be followed in sequence to reach your potential in whatever you are pursuing. The first block is Industriousness: "There is no substitute for work. Worthwhile results come from hard work and careful planning." Coach emphasized there are no shortcuts to success. A great way to use the Pyramid Blocks is to divide the definition into parts: "1.There is no substitute for work. 2.Worthwhile results come from 3. hard work and careful planning." The second step is to evaluate yourself with each part. 1.Do you work hard? Or take shortcuts? 2. Do you feel the goal you are pursuing is a worthwhile result? Why? 3. What are your habits in terms of careful planning? Both in terms of preplanning and after-action review for future applications. Next week I will give you the steps to become a subject matter expert in the area you choose to improve. In the meantime, here are a couple Industriousness ideas from Coach Wooden to keep you going: Big things are accomplished only through the perfection of minor details. Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. If you do not have the time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? Do not mistake activity for achievement. If you keep too busy learning the tricks of the trade, you may never learn the trade. A good place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm. Click here for personal development exercise: Issue 695. Click here for Printable Poetry: Issue 695. Yours in Coaching, Craig Impelman www.woodenswisdom.com Follow @woodenswisdom	COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE A Baby’s Love A baby is the best to love, She always smiles when you draw near, Though ugly you may be of face, No handsomer may interfere And win her heart away from you, Despite your faults she's always true; And though you be unknown to fame, A baby's love remains the same. A baby's eyes are always bright, A baby's lips are always red, And, O, a baby's voice is sweet, Though not a word she's ever said. A baby loves you for yourself, She's not entranced by sordid pelf; Though other loves may leave a smart, A baby never breaks your heart. It matters not though you be poor And friendless in the outside world, The moment that you cross the door That baby in your arms is curled. Though all the world may jibe and jeer, A baby smiles when you draw near; Through joy or sorrow, weal or woe, With you, a babe is glad to go. Ah, lucky man, indeed, is he Who has a babe at home to love; All that men now are striving for, He owns a treasure far above. Though fate may rob him of his gold And bare him in the winter's cold, And drag him down to deep despair, His baby still will count him fair. Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959)
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