The Following contains exceprts from the book, Wooden, a Lifetime of Observations On and Off the Court) (Wooden/Jamison).
At our music school in Midland, Texas we believe that music is more than sound, it is relationships. When dealing with the subject of Leadership, relationships matter.
Coach John Wooden is the inspiration behind many of today’s most prominent leadership books and materials. Reading though this book, I felt like I had read much of it before, due to the many quotes that have been taken and used in other books. Wooden, throughout his life remained a man of humility, seeing himself as an educator, more than a sports figure. His overarching message was simple: Be your best wherever you are, regardless of any outside factors. The one thing you can control in life is your own personal preparation, so always focus on that.
The book is a compilation of Wooden’s thoughts on various subjects, as he was interviewed by Steve Jamison. Following are highlights of these quotes:
At our music school in Midland, Texas we hope to inspire these principles in our students, helping them learn not only musical skills but life-lessons.
Families, Values, Virtues
Being a role model is the most powerful form of education. Youngsters need good models more than they need critics.
My father had what he called his “two sets of threes.”
Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal.
Don’t whine. Don’t complain. Don’t make excuses.
Dad had written out his creed. At the top of the paper, it said “Seven Things to Do.” It read as follows:
- Be true to yourself.
- Help others.
- Make each day your masterpiece.
- Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
- Make friendship a fine art.
- Build a shelter against a rainy day.
- Pray for guidance and count and give thanks for your blessings every day.
Too often we get distracted by what is outside our control. You can’t do anything about yesterday. The door to the past has been shut and the key thrown away. You can do nothing about tomorrow. It is yet to come. However, tomorrow is in large part determined by what you do today. So make today a masterpiece. You have control over that.
A favorite observation of my dad’s was the following: “Never believe you’re better than anybody else, but remember that you’re just as good as everybody else.”
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Character is what you really are. Reputation is what people say you are. Reputation is often based on character- but not always.
The study of music, at our music school in Midland, Texas provides numerous opportunities to explore and practice life-lessons, such as patience, consistency, focus, goal-setting, and diligence. All of these eventually become evident in people’s character and decision-making throughout the course of their life.
The goal in life is just the same as in basketball: make the effort to do the best you are capable of doing- in marriage, at your job, in the community, for your country. Make the effort to contribute in whatever way you can.
Happiness is in many things. It’s in love. It’s in sharing. But most of all, it’s in being at peace with yourself knowing that you are making the effort, the full effort, to do what is right. Ture happiness comes from the things that cannot be taken away from you. Making the full effort to do the right thing can never be taken away from you. I believe the greatest joy one can have is doing something for someone else without any thought of getting something in return.
We encourage students at our music school in Midland, Texas to value their daily progress, knowing that incremental progress is key to long-range success. Knowing that you have made your best effort each day is how to gain mastery of one’s discipline.
Six ways to bring out the best in people:
- Keep courtesy and consideration for others foremost in your mind, at home and work.
- Try to have fun without trying to be funny.
- While you can’t control what happens to you, you can control how you react. Make good manners an automatic reaction.
- Seek individual opportunities to offer a genuine compliment.
- Remember that sincerity, optimism, and enthusiasm are more welcome than sarcasm, pessimism, and laziness.
- Laugh with others, never at them.
Success, Achievement, Competition
You have little say over how big or how strong or how smart or rich someone else may be. You do have, at least you should have, control of yourself and the effort you give toward bringing out your best in whatever you’re doing. This effort must be total, and when it is, I believe you have achieved personal success. The concept that success is mine when I work my hardest to become my best, and that I alone determine whether I do so, became central to my life and affected me in a most profound manner.
I told my players many times, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” If you prepare properly, you may be outscored but you will never lose.
At our music school in Midland, Texas we teach that failure must be reframed as learning and growth opportunities. How many times does a baby fall, in the process of learning to walk?
You can make mistakes, but you aren’t a failure until you start blaming others for those mistakes.
Question: How can I become an optimist?
Answer: Proper preparation and attention to details.
When you see a successful individual, a champion, a “winner,” you can be very sure that you are looking at an individual who pays great attention to the perfection of minor details.
Another life-lesson that is developed through the study of music at our music school in Midland, Texas is that of attention to details. In music, as in the rest of life, details matter and often separates those who achieve high levels of greatness from mediocrity.