MM#388--Steps to Your Own Pyramid of Success

Transcript

WEBVTT

00:00:07.612 --> 00:00:20.807
Welcome to the Theory to Action podcast, where we examine the timeless treasures of wisdom from the great books in less time, to help you take action immediately and ultimately to create and lead a flourishing life.

00:00:20.807 --> 00:00:26.167
Now here's your host, david Kaiser, flourishing life.

00:00:26.207 --> 00:00:27.030
Now here's your host, david Kaiser.

00:00:27.030 --> 00:00:34.783
Hello, I am David and welcome back to another Mojo Minute.

00:00:34.783 --> 00:00:43.923
Earlier this week, we talked all about John Wooden and his pyramid of success, so today's episode is going to dive even deeper into this legendary coach's wisdom.

00:00:43.923 --> 00:00:49.654
Now, if you don't know, or you missed our last episode, what's Wrong With you?

00:00:49.654 --> 00:00:52.186
Go back and listen to it, please.

00:00:52.186 --> 00:00:55.645
If you could, we would appreciate it.

00:00:55.645 --> 00:01:02.551
And plus, it'll catch you up and make you smarter and it will help you to build a more flourishing life.

00:01:02.551 --> 00:01:07.099
Build a more flourishing life.

00:01:07.099 --> 00:01:15.671
But for now, john Wooden to catch you up was a 10-time NCAA championship basketball coach who built an infamous success period.

00:01:15.671 --> 00:01:21.951
Now that pyramid is much more than just a coaching tool.

00:01:21.951 --> 00:01:29.120
It's a life philosophy built on character, relationships and balance.

00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:41.784
Now, in this episode, we're going to break down the foundation of that pyramid and then we're going to chat about some key principles like friendship, loyalty, self-perception and character.

00:01:41.784 --> 00:01:47.573
These are the building blocks for real and lasting success.

00:01:47.573 --> 00:01:50.504
So for now, let's get into it.

00:01:50.504 --> 00:02:00.313
And if you're serious about growing into being the best version of yourself, then this episode is for you and for today's book of the day.

00:02:00.313 --> 00:02:11.056
It is Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success Building Blocks for a Better Life by John Wooden, in collaboration with Jay Carty.

00:02:12.162 --> 00:02:13.828
Go on to our first pull quote.

00:02:13.828 --> 00:02:22.530
At the base of Wooden's success pyramid are two cornerstones industriousness and enthusiasm.

00:02:22.530 --> 00:02:24.432
Milestones.

00:02:24.432 --> 00:02:25.775
Industriousness and enthusiasm.

00:02:25.775 --> 00:02:34.622
Simply put, industriousness is hard work, but it's just not working for the sake of working.

00:02:34.622 --> 00:02:45.993
It's all about intentional, focused effort towards a meaningful goal, and when you pair that with enthusiasm, which is an authentic passion for what you're doing, you've got rock-solid foundation.

00:02:45.993 --> 00:02:59.411
Now, thinking of it this way, imagine building a house, the strongest, most enduring house and homes begin with a stable foundation, don't they?

00:02:59.411 --> 00:03:07.234
If either of these cornerstones is missing, then that house or your path to success won't stand for long.

00:03:07.234 --> 00:03:15.151
Wooden often said this famous quote Success is peace of mind, knowing that you did your best.

00:03:15.151 --> 00:03:23.473
That peace of mind comes from leaning into industriousness while bringing your enthusiasm to every moment.

00:03:23.473 --> 00:03:27.811
You work hard and you find joy in the process.

00:03:27.811 --> 00:03:32.050
It's simple, yet it is transformational.

00:03:34.121 --> 00:03:39.674
Now, what makes Wooden's philosophy truly brilliant is his emphasis on relationships.

00:03:39.674 --> 00:03:46.546
Right above those cornerstones are what he termed quote the people blocks.

00:03:46.546 --> 00:03:49.768
They are friendship, loyalty and cooperation.

00:03:49.768 --> 00:03:53.550
Wooden believed success wasn't a solo endeavor.

00:03:53.550 --> 00:03:56.489
People are the ones that make us better.

00:03:56.489 --> 00:04:06.568
One of Wooden's most profound quotes on friendship reads, and I quote Friendship comes from the mutual esteem and devotion.

00:04:06.568 --> 00:04:10.663
God created us to be interdependent.

00:04:10.663 --> 00:04:13.870
We're not designed to go through life alone.

00:04:13.870 --> 00:04:20.351
We become so much more when we come alongside others and make them better too.

00:04:20.351 --> 00:04:24.043
And he was spot on.

00:04:24.043 --> 00:04:32.411
We are much stronger when we include others in our pursuits, whether it's a work, project, life goal or even tackling personal growth.

00:04:32.411 --> 00:04:36.447
But what's the foundation of friendship?

00:04:36.447 --> 00:04:37.511
What's the true connection?

00:04:37.511 --> 00:04:39.942
What's the mutual accountability there?

00:04:39.942 --> 00:04:58.555
Well, wharton reminds us that we're meant to not be or travel, and I love this book because Woodham will break down each of these building blocks and explain it in such a way that really helps you to understand it on a much deeper level.

00:04:58.555 --> 00:05:10.055
And then the collaboration with Jay Carty, where he follows up with a biblical perspective on the same future, makes this a very compelling read.

00:05:11.882 --> 00:05:19.814
Take the biblical story of Shadrach, meshach and Abnego from the Old Testament, for example.

00:05:19.814 --> 00:05:36.774
Their unshakable friendship led them to defy King Nebuchadnezzar, even under the threat of the fiery furnace, and together they came out untouched a literal example of strength and unity.

00:05:36.774 --> 00:05:42.151
In fact, let's go to the book to hear from Jay on this very nugget of wisdom.

00:05:42.151 --> 00:05:47.230
The Bible contains much about friendship.

00:05:47.230 --> 00:05:49.716
Examples and lessons abound.

00:05:49.716 --> 00:05:54.932
Ruth and her mother or Ruth and her mother-in-law, that is were tight.

00:05:54.932 --> 00:05:58.369
David and Jonathan were as close as two people can get.

00:05:58.369 --> 00:06:10.949
Job's friends came to console him when he lost everything, and the Bible lists nearly 90 people who were connected to the Apostle Paul, many of whom he called dear friends.

00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:18.524
In Daniel we read about three Jewish men who were friends Shadrach, mesach and Abednego.

00:06:18.524 --> 00:06:23.834
We should just call them my shack, your shack and a bungalow.

00:06:23.834 --> 00:06:30.130
They were so close that they took the heat and walked together in obedience.

00:06:30.130 --> 00:06:32.985
They even faced death together.

00:06:32.985 --> 00:06:35.351
They had a friendship that included accountability.

00:06:35.351 --> 00:06:47.033
While there were many aspects to being held accountable as friends, we can see in these three the results of such a commitment when it is put to the test.

00:06:47.779 --> 00:06:52.732
King Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone in his kingdom to worship his gods.

00:06:52.732 --> 00:07:02.411
The dilemma for let's just say my shack, your shack and a bungalow was that they only worshipped the one true God.

00:07:02.411 --> 00:07:06.511
Therefore, they refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's gods.

00:07:06.511 --> 00:07:13.464
As a result, nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into a fiery furnace as the king watched.

00:07:13.464 --> 00:07:14.309
Nothing happened.

00:07:14.309 --> 00:07:19.382
The trio was cool as the other side of a pillow.

00:07:19.382 --> 00:07:25.721
Their hair wasn't even singed, their clothes hadn't burned and they didn't even smell of smoke.

00:07:25.721 --> 00:07:31.333
What the king saw changed his life and he too became a believer in the one true God.

00:07:31.333 --> 00:07:38.262
What would have happened if the three hadn't had each other Individually?

00:07:38.262 --> 00:07:41.449
Would they have caved in to save their respective skins?

00:07:41.449 --> 00:07:42.552
Who knows?

00:07:42.552 --> 00:07:47.908
But we do know now that collectively they were strong.

00:07:47.908 --> 00:07:53.144
They formed a triple-braided cord that could not be easily broken.

00:07:54.367 --> 00:07:57.062
That's the value of friends who are accountable to each other.

00:07:57.062 --> 00:08:00.949
Do you have friends to whom you are accountable?

00:08:00.949 --> 00:08:03.254
If not, why not?

00:08:03.254 --> 00:08:17.653
I recommend that you find two or three friends of your gender, agree to meet regularly and ask each other the hard questions about lust, greed, anger, revenge, covetousness.

00:08:17.653 --> 00:08:25.269
Hold each other accountable for answers and behavior, and then help your friends walk straight lines.

00:08:25.269 --> 00:08:34.371
Push them toward becoming all they can be, all they're capable of becoming, and all that God has created them and you to be.

00:08:34.371 --> 00:08:37.567
Allow them to do the same for you.

00:08:37.567 --> 00:08:41.188
It's what good friends ought to do.

00:08:44.520 --> 00:08:50.793
So who are your shacks, my shacks and a bungalow's?

00:08:50.793 --> 00:08:53.307
What friends keep you accountable?

00:08:53.307 --> 00:08:55.969
What friends lift you up and push you to be better?

00:08:55.969 --> 00:09:01.171
Why not take five minutes today to call or text one of them just to say thanks?

00:09:01.171 --> 00:09:06.932
Or perhaps do you have a men's group or a women's group you consistently get together with.

00:09:06.932 --> 00:09:08.761
This is ideal.

00:09:08.761 --> 00:09:13.952
Be sure to appreciate those gals or guys.

00:09:13.952 --> 00:09:16.182
Be sure to appreciate those gals or guys.

00:09:16.202 --> 00:09:20.827
Now let's dive a bit deeper into friendship, because friendship is more than just company.

00:09:20.827 --> 00:09:21.869
It's a collaboration.

00:09:21.869 --> 00:09:25.092
It's about mutual trust and building each other up.

00:09:25.092 --> 00:09:27.196
Take a moment to reflect on your friends.

00:09:27.196 --> 00:09:36.519
Are they just the people you hang out with, or are they people that will help you to grow?

00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:45.567
Wood beautifully summarized this when he said friends help to complete us, and we will be better for having them along on our journey to become all that we're capable of becoming.

00:09:45.567 --> 00:09:48.537
Just like we talked about before.

00:09:48.537 --> 00:09:50.221
A true friend offers accountability.

00:09:50.221 --> 00:09:58.331
They're there to help you walk the straight and narrow, not in a judgmental way, but out of love and care for your growth and your well-being.

00:09:58.331 --> 00:10:06.952
So again, I ask you are you the type of friend that you would want to have?

00:10:06.952 --> 00:10:10.643
Are you surrounding yourself with people who lift you up higher?

00:10:10.643 --> 00:10:18.743
And if not, it's never too late to foster those strong, meaningful connections by being intentional with our friendships.

00:10:18.743 --> 00:10:27.106
We truly will then begin to live Wooden's principles Now.

00:10:27.187 --> 00:10:38.668
Creating the right mindset is a notion of reputation versus character, reputation versus character.

00:10:38.668 --> 00:10:41.417
This is the ultimate balancing act, isn't it?

00:10:41.417 --> 00:10:46.434
That's what Wooden reminds us, and I quote your reputation is what you perceived it to be.

00:10:46.434 --> 00:10:49.494
Your character is who you truly are.

00:10:49.494 --> 00:11:00.461
Now, society might put a premium on reputation, but John Wooden implored us to prioritize character over reputation.

00:11:00.461 --> 00:11:03.667
Your reputation is often how others view you.

00:11:03.667 --> 00:11:08.955
It holds value, yes, but it's fleeting and it can fluctuate with others' perceptions.

00:11:08.955 --> 00:11:14.226
Character, however, is the bedrock of who you are.

00:11:14.226 --> 00:11:22.610
It's consistent and it's ultimately what leads to a genuine peace of mind, as Fulton Sheen would remind us.

00:11:23.775 --> 00:11:25.903
Here's a practical takeaway from John Wooden.

00:11:25.903 --> 00:11:37.980
The next time you find yourself working toward a goal, ask yourself am I doing this for external validation or because it aligns with my values, my virtues and my integrity?

00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:41.453
If it's the former, pause and recalibrate.

00:11:41.453 --> 00:11:48.717
Wooden knew that authentic success starts within, not with the applause of others.

00:11:48.717 --> 00:11:56.115
So in today's Mojo Minute, here's what I hope you take away from John Wooden's success pyramid.

00:11:56.115 --> 00:11:59.615
First, that success demands a strong foundation.

00:11:59.615 --> 00:12:03.275
It's built on hard work and joy and enthusiasm.

00:12:03.275 --> 00:12:06.734
Second, that relationships do matter.

00:12:06.734 --> 00:12:11.176
Surround yourself with friends who strengthen and challenge you.

00:12:11.176 --> 00:12:16.072
And finally, always prioritize your character over your reputation.

00:12:16.072 --> 00:12:29.965
I encourage you to reflect on your own life which these principles you could begin applying today and to help you keep building a flourishing life.

00:12:29.965 --> 00:12:38.618
Be sure to keep building your pyramid of success One block, one principle and one day at a time.

00:12:43.067 --> 00:12:44.312
Thank you for joining us.

00:12:44.312 --> 00:12:47.696
We hope you enjoyed this Theory to Action podcast.

00:12:47.696 --> 00:12:52.506
Theory to Action podcast.

00:12:52.506 --> 00:12:56.878
Be sure to check out our show page at teammojoacademycom, where we have everything we discussed in this podcast, as well as other great resources.

00:12:56.878 --> 00:13:00.715
Until next time, keep getting your mojo on.

MM#388--Steps to Your Own Pyramid of Success

Listen On

Recent Episodes