


Do These 4 Things When You Make a Mistake
A mistake is valuable if you do four things with it: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it. This quote from Coach Wooden is one of my favorites because it summarizes and gives instruction to some of his key ideas regarding how to deal with mistakes: 1....
Happiness Is All About Perspective
People are usually as happy as they make their minds up to be. This maxim, often referenced by famed UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, is a reminder that the attitude we assume when faced with disappointment is truly up to us. The influence of his father helped Coach...
Why You Can’t Live in the Past
Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today. This maxim represents the foundation of famed UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s approach as a teacher. He often reminded his players of this with his make each day your masterpiece approach and spoke poignantly on the...
Real Success Begins Where Selfishness Ends
Many of famed UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s favorite maxims reflected his keen appreciation of unselfishness: “You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone without a thought of repayment.” “Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as...
Bad Times Can Make You Bitter or Better
The maxim, “A setback is a setup for a comeback,” coincides with famed UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s philosophy for dealing with adversity. Related: How to Handle Adversity: Don’t Whine, Don’t Complain, Don’t Make Excuses. In his book The Pyramid of Success with...
The Powerful Legacy of Mentoring
A mentor is defined as someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced colleague; a trusted counselor or guide. In his book A Game Plan for Life: The Power of Mentoring with Don Yaeger, Coach Wooden said this: “While I made my living as a...
The Qualities of a Humble Leader
Coach Wooden’s favorite ideas regarding leadership came from Wilford Peterson’s essay on “The Art of Leadership” from his book The Art of Living. The essay states in part: The leader is a servant. Related: Why Successful Leaders Need to Learn Humility Coach Wooden’s...
How Character Fuels Intentness
The last block on the second tier of the Pyramid of Success, intentness, is an essential quality for any leader and team if they are going to perform near their capability. Related: How to Live Your Life With Intentness Coach Wooden once summarized this concept as...