From Socks Filled With Rags to Winning Championships: Leadership and Life With John Wooden

John Robert Wooden was an All-American basketball player, coach, and teacher, and is the winning-est coach of all time. He won ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period as head coach at UCLA, including a record seven in a row.

Regardless of if you are a basketball fan or not; Wooden's life lessons will help you navigate the tumultuous waters of life and relationships.

Integrity is not tied to income.

When John Wooden was 8 years old, he and his older brother, and his parents, Joshua "Hugh" Wooden and Roxie Rothrock Wooden moved to a farm in Centerton, Indiana. Later, two younger brothers were born. Coach Wooden spoke of the gentle and loving way his parents interacted and the fact that his father's favorite Abraham Lincoln quote was, "The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."

The Wooden's didn't have much money during John's childhood, "We had no electricity, plumbing or conveniences, and for entertainment Dad read books to us in the evening by the light of a coal-oil lamp... For my brothers and me, growing up on that little farm in Centerton was almost perfect."... It was "a hard good life." ("My Personal Best" by John Wooden & Steve Jamison)

John's mother, Roxie, made all their clothes, washed them by hand, and cooking all their meals from the products they grew on the farm. When the Wooden boys expressed a desire to play basketball, but the family didn't have the money to purchase one; Roxie created basketballs for her sons by stitching socks together and filling them with old rags. John's father, Hugh, made a basket for his sons from knocking out the bottom of a tomato basket and nailing "it to the hayloft in the barn." ("My Personal Best" by John Wooden & Steve Jamison)

Coach Wooden taught life skills needed for a successful life to his students, coaches, family members, and others for over 70 years. He developed his "Pyramid of Success" over a 14 year period, 1934- 1948 by identifying 25 behaviors he believed were necessary to achieve his idea of success.

Hugh and Roxie Wooden modeled the behavior they wanted to show their children. They had a long and loving marriage. They were married for 45 years until Hugh Wooden died. John Wooden and his wife Nell Wooden had a loving happy marriage also. They were married for 53 years until Nell died. Coach Wooden continued to write his wife love letters every month after her death.

Coach Wooden said, "I can just see my dad as I see you, if I close my eyes. By the shores of Gitche Gumee, / by the shining Big-Sea-Water, / stood the wigwam of Nokomis, / daughter of the moon Nokomis... Upon completing the verse by Longfellow, Wooden opened his eyes. "We had no electricity, no running water."

More is caught than taught

Coach Wooden said, "My Father, Hugh Wooden, tried to get his ideas across, maybe not in so many words, but by action. He walked it."

"Hugh didn't lecture his boys so much as he sprinkled seeds along their paths." ("Wooden: A Coaches Life" by Seth Davis)

When John Wooden graduated from 8th grade his father gave him a small hand written card with his "7 Things to Do" and his "Two Sets of 3" with a short poem by Reverend Henry Van Dyke and a two dollar bill. Joshua "Hugh" Wooden wanted to guide his sons by giving them a "moral compass and a powerful foundation". Coach Wooden kept it in his wallet to read it. These words he lived by for his 99 years on earth. These were Coach Wooden's "core principles" of his life, which he shared with his students, coaches, family, and others for over seven decades.

On the Wooden farm, John Wooden learned "the habits of discipline and hard work." Farm chores and studying were a priority in the Wooden household.

Joshua Hugh Wooden's "7 Things to Do" later Coach Wooden called it his "7 Point Creed".

1. "Be true to yourself."

2. "Help others."

3. "Make each day your masterpiece."

4. "Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible."

5. "Make friendship a fine art."

6. "Build a shelter against a rainy day."

7. "Pray for guidance and count and give thanks for your blessings every day."

   https://www.thewoodeneffect.com/john-woodens-7-point-creed-true/

Coach John Wooden's parents, Hugh and Roxy Wooden were his most important teachers. They showed him by example how to have a loving home, to respect others, how to work hard with enthusiasm, and gave him a moral compass to live by.

Coach Wooden said, "Success is peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable."

Coach Wooden's first cornerstone of his "Pyramid of Success" is "Industriousness". He says, "There is no substitute for work. Worthwhile results come from hard work and careful planning."

The second cornerstone of Coach's "Pyramid of Success is "Enthusiasm". Coach Wooden says, "Having enjoyment and love for your task, job, or profession". When we enjoy and love what we are doing, we work harder with more energy, are more focused and productive working with enthusiasm.

Coach Wooden's father Joshua "Hugh" Wooden's "7 Point Creed" and "Two Sets of Three" are words of timeless wisdom for you to live by just like Coach Wooden, his family, his students, and coaches have for over 70 years.

Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an award winning teacher, Amazon.com Best Selling Author, 2017 Coach Wooden Certificate of Excellence, John Maxwell Team Member, Certified World Class Speaking Coach, sought after speaker, business owner, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly article & Musical Tips Blog" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". Her book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget" is available on Amazon or Kindle. Contact Madeline Frank for your next speaking engagement at  mfrankviola@gmail.com


 By Madeline Frank


Article Source: From Socks Filled With Rags to Winning Championships: Leadership and Life With John Wooden

Post a Comment

Informations From: Taun17

Previous Post Next Post
  • Letting Go: Does Someone Need To Embrace Their Feminine Nature If They Always Need To Be In Control?

    If one wanted to move something, they would pick it up and then put it down once they have found the right spot. While it was in their hands, they would have held on and, when they put it down somewhere, they would have let go.Two SidesIt could be said that there are times in life when one will need... Readmore

  • Critical Thinking: Why Do Some People Only Support The Rebel When They Watch Films?

    In today's world, it is no longer necessary for one to simply go along with everything the mainstream media tells them, and this is partly because of the alternative media. This is not to say that one had to go along with what this source told them in the past, as this wasn't the case.A Different Ex... Readmore

  • One Simple Equation That Will Help You Achieve Remarkable Results

    Like many of you, I hold a planning retreat for my business at the beginning of each year. (I also do a smaller one at the beginning of each month, which is a practice that I strongly recommend.) My annual retreat was this past weekend, and in looking over what I accomplished last year, something th... Readmore

  • Why Self-Improvement Techniques Are Killing You

    Over the new year's, I had a chat with a best friend of mine; he is an amazing professional who takes pride in what he does. He is one of the most compassionate and passionate guys in both life and work. He earned a lot of money for the work he does, he's building multiple sources of income and of c... Readmore

  • Spiritual Similarities Between Hindus and Buddhists

    Hinduism and Buddhism both were born on the subcontinent of India and share many spiritual goals and practices. There have some fundamental differences between the two religions, but Buddhism first emerged around 530 B.C. When the great spirit Gautam Buddha started teaching this two different religi... Readmore

  • His Right Hand Sustains Us

    I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. Job 19:25This is one of those day the Lord wakes me up in the wee of the morning, not to speak to me, but that I speak with Him. And yes, it's not a monologue, He does respond. And His responses are reassuring, and heartw... Readmore

  • Another Way To Happiness

    We very often see happiness as something that is outside ourselves. We can class happiness as tangible items, that we can see and touch. They will bring us happiness if we manage to attain them. If we get the job, the car, the holiday, the baby and the clothes, then we will be happy. When we pass a ... Readmore

  • How to Stop Surviving and Start Thriving

    The Obstacle Is the WayYou are born to thrive, not just to play it safe in your comfort zone.You might try avoiding failure because it weakens your self-esteem - although failure is a prerequisite for success.Ask any entrepreneur or adventurer, and they will tell you failure is essential.However, I ... Readmore

  • The PURSUIT Of Leadership

    True, effective, meaningful leadership, does not magically appear and/ or occur! Neither does it happen overnight, or because of an isolated action or event, even one which is truly significant. Rather, it is a step - by - step, nuanced, focused, learning experience, and those few who become real le... Readmore

  • Do You Have The COURAGE Of A Leader?

    One of the least discussed assets and attributes, needed by leaders, is to truly be courageous! This means they must be ready, willing and able, to face challenges and obstacles, thrown their way, as well as the courage of their convictions, speaking out when lesser individuals, and wannabes, tend t... Readmore