John Wooden knows a thing or two about success…
So many of us spend our lives chasing success, but not so many of us create our unique definition of what it means to be successful. Money, fame, cars, power – these are all common markers of what we tend to attribute to successful people. And though I haven’t been exposed to high levels of such things, I have been exposed to enough of it to know one hard truth: those things come and go, and the only thing that really matters is the truth that exists between you and the person you see in the mirror. I am fortunate to come from a great family who instilled in me important values and guiding principles, and it still took me years and years to really pin down my definition of success.
John Wooden, probably the best coach of all time across any sport, is renowned for his guidance and leadership philosophies. Wooden won 10 national championships in 12 years, 7 of them in a row, while coaching men’s basketball at UCLA. He never focused on winning; his focus was on the person. By creating the best possible individuals, down to the smallest detail of how they tied their shoes and tucked in their shirts, his players were taught how to be proper, good people.
After a lifetime of winning and coaching, John Wooden defines success as: the peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.
You won’t always have a game to win or a promotion to get, but you’ll always be a person who interacts with others in a variety of roles. Be the best version of yourself in each of those roles.
Take some time and develop your definition of success. I did (and I get made fun of for hanging it on my mirror :) ), but I can tell you that every morning when I brush my teeth, I’m reminded of why I do what I do.
Have a great week, and shoot me your definitions of success. I’d love to hear them and offer my feedback.
Spaniard
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