In Tribute to

John R. Wooden

1910 - 2010

"Happieness begins where selfishness ends."

This page is to pay homage to the gift provided by the wisdom, philosophy, teachings and examples of Coach John Wooden.

"The wisdom of Coach Wooden had a profound influence on me as an athlete, but an even greater influence on me as a human being."

          --Kareem Abdual-Jabbar

"After my father, Coach Wooden has had the most profound influence on me of anyone in my entire life.   He taught us the values and characteristics that could make us not only good players, but also good people."

          --Bill Walton

Having led UCLA Basketball to 10 national championships including an 88-game winning streak, Coach Wooden is undoubtedly the most accomplished college basketball coach ever. Yet, to the athletes he inspired into champions, he is most revered for his wisdom on life, leadership and character.

Coach Wooden's influence has extended far beyond the sports world as his mission and message address core values that can be absorbed within and reflected through the integrity of us all.

The following maxims reflect his philosophies on life, character, leadership, success and religion. Most can be found in his book,

"Wooden - A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court."

If an additional name is referenced, it signifies a quote from that person which he would repeat.

On Life

• Happiness begins where selfishness ends.
• The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. - Abraham Lincoln
• The worst thing you can do for those you love is the things they could and should do for themselves. -Abraham Lincoln
  
• You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for another without thought of something in return.
• A life not lived for others is not a life - Mother Teresa
  
• Learn as if you were going to live forever, and live as if you were going to die tomorrow.
• It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.
  
• Make each day your masterpiece - John's Father
  
• No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward of what he gave.
• Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.
• What is right is more important than who is right.
  
• Although there is no progress without change, not all change is progress.
• Envy, jealousy and criticism can become cancerous. They hurt the person who feels them rather than the person they're directed toward.
• Time spent getting even would be better spent getting ahead.
• Am I not destroying an enemy when I make a friend of him? - Abraham Lincoln
• Nothing is stronger than gentleness - John's Father
  
• If you do not have the time to do it right, when will you find the time to do it over?
• Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life.
  
• The goal I believe is important is the goal of making the most of your abilities.
• Be quick, but don't hurry.
• If you spend too much time learning the tricks of the trade, you may not learn the trade.
• The person who knows "how" will always have a job. The person who knows "why" will be his boss.
• Why does the person with the least to say usually take the longest to say it?
  

On Character

• Discipline yourself and others won't need to.
• Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Character is what you really are; reputation is merely what you are perceived to be.
• Talent is God-given: be humble. Fame is man-given: be thankful. Conceit is self-given: be careful.
• It is best not to drink too deeply from a cup full of fame. It can be very intoxicating and intoxicated people often do foolish things.
• The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching.
  
• Some believe that sports build character. I believe that sports reveal character.
• Most anyone can stand adversity, but to test a person's character give him power - Abraham Lincoln.
• Those that matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter - Pearl Mesta.
  
• A true athlete should have character, not be a character.
• Ability can get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.
• A big part of character is the self-discipline needed to avoid complacency, resist temptation, and understand that past success doesn't guarantee future success.
  

On Leadership

• Leadership is the ability to get individuals to work together for the common good and the best possible results while at the same time letting them know they did it themselves.
• A leader's most powerful ally is his or her own example.
• Pride is a better motivator than fear.
• You handle things. You work with people.
  
• Fairness is giving all people the treatment they earn and deserve. It doesn't mean treating everyone alike.
• Those under your supervision are not working for you but with you, and you all have a common goal.
• If people don't respect their leader, they just punch the clock in and out. There is no clock-watching when a leader is present.
• If you wish to be heard, listen. Always seek to find the best way rather than insisting on your own way.
• Discipline of others isn't punishment. You discipline to help, to improve, to correct, to prevent, not to punish, humiliate, or retaliate.
• When you punish you antagonize. You cannot get the most positive results when you antagonize.
  
• Sincerity, optimism and enthusiasm are more welcome than sarcasm, pessimism, and laziness.
• Promise to give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
• Why is it so many who are quick to make suggestions find it so difficult to make decisions?
  

On Success

• Success is 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.
• Preparation is where success is truly found.
• Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
• Never try to be better than someone else. Focus on being the best "you" can be. This is under your control. The other is not.
• When you blame others you are trying to excuse yourself. When you make excuses you can't properly evaluate yourself. Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable.
• If you prepare properly, you may be outscored but you will never loose.
• The man who is afraid to risk failure seldom has to face success.
• If you're afraid of failure, you will never do the things you are capable of doing.
• Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
  
• Develop a love for details. They usually accompany success.
• It is the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.
  
• Seek small improvement one day at a time. When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur.
• Persistence is a quality that we ourselves control. You, and only you, can decide whether you will stay the course.
• Championships, trophies, fame and fortune are all by-products of success rather than success itself.
• The best way to improve the team is to improve yourself.
• A player who makes a team great is better than a great player.
  
• Individual recognition, praise, can be a dangerous commodity. It is given for what was done in the past and can take your mind off what you must do to prepare for the future.
  
• Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.
• Why is it that so many nonattainers are quick to criticize, question and belittle the attainers?
• Do not mistake activity for achievement.
• Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts.
  
• Ability is a poor man's wealth.
  
• I'd rather have a lot of skill and little experience than a lot of experience and a little skill.
• Much can be accomplished by teamwork when no one is concerned about who gets credit.
• The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.
  
• Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.
  

On Religion

• I definitely believe in God. I just hope God believes in me.
• God does not close one door without opening another.
• There are many things that are essential to arriving at true piece of mind, and one of the important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer.
  
• If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me.
  

Seven Point Creed

John Wooden's Seven Point Creed was given to him by his father at the time of his graduation from grammer school.

• 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.

Coach John Wooden went home to God and to Nellie, his beloved wife of 53 years on Friday, June 4th, 2010.

While this website is dedicated to promoting longevity through healthy lifestyles, it also recognizes that "quality" of life through character, charity and selfless commitments matter more in measuring life's value than simply its length.

Below is a link to Coach Wooden's website where you can learn more about his life, his philosophy and insight into leadership including his infamous, "Pyramid of Success." Be sure to click on each building block for a detailed description of its meaning and purpose.

http://www.coachwooden.com/