#FOODFORTHOUGHT

“This I believe” [John Wooden]

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
– John Wooden

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden defined his core belief as peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the absolute effort to do your best. His philosophy focused on the core value of character, preparation, and daily self-improvement rather than the final scoreboard.

His father tried to teach that although we should study and learn from others, you should never think yourself superior to another and never cease to be the best of which you are capable. When John graduated from a small country grade school, his father gave him a card with a verse on one side and a seven point creed on the other side. He said simply, ‘Think on these things and try to live up to them.’ The verse went like this:

Four things you must learn to do if you would make your life more true.
To think without confusion, clearly.
To love your fellow beings sincerely.
To act from honest motives purely.
To trust in God in heaven securely.

The 7 point creed [The Wooden Effect], was given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school and was later renamed “The Pyramid to Success” :
> 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

In conclusion, at the top of the Pyramid of Success was “Competitive Greatness” which Wooden defined as “Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day.”