John Wooden is one of my favorite writers. His words can be broken down into nuggets of wisdom that make you stop, dead in your tracks, and think about your life and the path you’re walking. Is it fulfilling? Is the compass pointed in the right direction?
He knows what he’s talking about, too. The man won 10 NCAA championships in a 12-year period with UCLA. He’s in the Basketball Hall of a Fame not only as a player, but also as a coach. Amazing.
One of the things I like best about him is that he’s not afraid of failure. He embraces it. He’s failed many times, but he does not consider himself a failure. Partly, that’s because he truly knows the definition of success.
He’s been on my mind lately. I thought I’d post two pieces of his writing that I carry in my wallet:
John Wooden’s Seven Point Creed:
- Be true to yourself.
- Make each day your masterpiece.
- Help others.
- Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
- Make friendship a fine art.
- Build a shelter against a rainy day.
- Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.
How Coach John Wooden defines success:
“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
