10 Weeks with Wooden – Pyramid of Success | Buffini Podcasts
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John Wooden is regarded as the greatest NCAA basketball coach of all time. His achievements on the court are unmatched, but his teachings and influence extend far beyond the sports arena. Here are some key principles from his world-famous Pyramid of Success that you can tap into to become the best possible version of yourself:
Competitive Greatness: Competitive greatness means loving the hard battle, knowing that it offers you the opportunity to be at your best when your best is required. Great competitors all share a joy in the struggle of the journey, the contest and the competition.
Poise: Just be yourself. Don’t pretend to be what you’re not and don’t get thrown by events, good or bad. If you’re under pressure, don’t panic; just hold fast to your principles and beliefs and act accordingly.
Confidence: Well-founded self-belief is the strongest steel. True confidence is earned through tenaciously pursuing and attaining those assets that allow you to reach excellence.
Condition: Physical condition is vital, but you must also have mental and moral condition. Ability may get you to the top, but it’s character that keeps you there.Remember: “There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So keep in mind that, in the end, the choice you make makes you.”
Skill: At the very center of the Pyramid of Success is skill. Leaders and high achievers are lifelong learners. Work to become a master of the details – it’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.
Team Spirit: The star of the team is the team. “We” always supersedes “me.”
Self-control: Control of your organization begins with control of yourself. Be disciplined and control yourself so others won’t have to do it for you.
Alertness: When we get tunnel vision, we don’t see the full picture and we can’t learn. Constantly be aware and observe – alertness is an asset that keeps you perceptive and increases skill.
Initiative: Make a decision. No one is perfect but you must train yourself not to fear failure. Failure to act is often the biggest failure of all.
Intentness: Stay the course. When you experience difficulty, don’t quit, try again; harder, smarter. Persevere relentlessly.
Industriousness: There’s no substitute for very hard work when it comes to success. The great successes in life are people who vastly outwork their competition.
Friendship: Respect and camaraderie are vital qualities of friendship and, when they exist, they strengthen a team and build a formidable organization.
Loyalty: Be true to yourself and to those you lead. Loyalty from the top inspires loyalty from below.
Cooperation: Cooperation – the sharing of ideas, information, responsibilities, creativity and tasks – is a priority of good leadership and great teams.
Enthusiasm: To achieve extraordinary success, hard work alone isn’t enough – it must be ignited by enthusiasm. When your heart is in your work, your energy, enjoyment, drive and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others.
Coach Wooden’s powerful teachings can help you to achieve phenomenal success, both personally and professionally. To learn more, listen to the latest episode of “It’s a Good Life.”.
