Issue 708 - "Enthusiasm for 2025"


Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 13	Issue 708
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"ENTHUSIASM FOR 2025" (PART 3) John Wooden Video Clip (1 min. 53 sec.): Coach Wooden is asked: "Tell us about your attention to detail in teaching fundamentals." In 1948, Coach Wooden, in his Pyramid of Success, defined 15-character traits he believed would be helpful to reach your potential. Each week I am trying to define specific behaviors that apply to each character trait in 2025. This issue is about Enthusiasm. Coach Wooden defined Enthusiasm this way: "Brushes off upon those with whom you come in contact. You must truly enjoy what you are doing." You must truly enjoy listening to someone if you want them to enjoy talking to you. In 1948, the only distraction during a conversation might have been a ringing landline. In 2025 we have our cell phones. When two people are in conversation and one person silently picks up their cell phone and scrolls, texts, or just stares at it they are not trying to be rude. But the other person sometimes feels dismissed, unimportant, or ignored. And that feeling breaks the flow of enthusiasm. Science confirms this: A 2013 study at the University of Essex found that just having a phone visible during a conversation lowered trust, empathy, and connection. Brain scans show that being ignored mid-conversation activates rejection and exclusion responses—even when it’s not intentional. Here’s what checking your phone silently does to the other person’s brain chemistry: Cortisol (stress): goes up – they feel anxious or dismissed. Dopamine (motivation): drops – they feel unheard. Oxytocin (connection): crashes – the bond breaks. Serotonin (self-worth): shrinks – they feel less respected. Adrenaline (tension): spikes – the moment becomes uneasy. Endorphins (enjoyment): fall – the good feeling fades. If you need to check your phone communicate first: "I’m sorry. May I check my phone for a minute. This might be urgent" Keep it quick. Don’t let a small glance turn into a scroll. Then say: "Sorry about that, thank you." Return your full attention. Make eye contact, have attentive body language, and overtly reconnect. If it is not urgent: Don’t touch the phone. Let the person across from you know they matter. The way you listen increases or decreases Enthusiasm. Are you an Enthusiasm increaser or decreaser? Click here for personal development exercise: Issue 708. Click here for Printable Poetry: Issue 708. Yours in Coaching, Craig Impelman www.woodenswisdom.com Follow @woodenswisdom	COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE A Wonderful World It’s a wonderful world when you sum it all up, And we ought to be glad we are in it; The fellow who drinks from old Misery's cup Gets the goblet of joy the next minute. In a wonderful way In the course of a day Strange changes occur as by magic, There are solemn and sad things And joyful and glad things, And things that are comic and tragic. It's a wonderful world, full of wonderful things, No two days alike in their passing; Some new joy or sorrow the rising sun brings, Some new charm the former outclassing. And yesterday's glad Are perhaps today's sad, And yesterday's poor may be wealthy; Oh, the changes are quick, Even yesterday's sick May today or tomorrow be healthy. It's a wonderful world, for we never can tell What for us has the morrow in store; Things happen as though by some magical spell That never have happened before. And nobody knows Or can ever disclose What the joy of the future may be; But of one thing I 'm sure, Despite all we endure 'T will be worthwhile to hang on and see. Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959)
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