John Wooden and His Winning Principles

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John Wooden and His Winning Principles

(posted: April 10th, 2011)

I have always been a BIG follower of John Wooden!

I have read every book on him and have worked to apply his principles to my business, my relationships, and my life.

A Standard of Excellence

I recently came across this INCREDIBLE strategy of standards of excellence and code of conduct to find happiness. I now read it every day before I leave the house and before I rest my head on the pillow.

It has helped make me not only a more effective coach and leader, but also a better mom, wife, friend, and contributor to this challenging but wonderful world we live in.

Get Your Happy On

Coach Wooden said happiness comes from making and keeping nine promises:

  1. Promise yourself that you will talk health, happiness, and prosperity as often as possible.
  2. Promise yourself to make all your friends know there is something in them that is special that you value.
  3. Promise to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best in yourself and others.
  4. Promise to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
  5. Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
  6. Promise to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future.
  7. Promise to wear a cheerful appearance at all times and give every person you meet a smile.
  8. Promise to give so much time improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
  9. Promise to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit trouble to press on you.

A Look in the Mirror

I hope you will take some of these wonderful pieces of wisdom and look at yourself with true introspection. If you do, I can promise you that you will gain some of that happiness that Coach Wooden promises!

Hopefully these nine promises will have the same effect on you as they did on me.

I would love to hear about how one or all of these nuggets helps you. Please share as we all learn how to support each other in increasing our happiness in these challenging times.