MM#69--Wooden's Wisdom & the Point Guard in Life

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. Now, here's your host, David Kaiser. 

Hello, I am David and welcome back to another Mojo minute. John Wooden was perhaps the greatest college basketball coach in the 20th century. He led his UCLA Bruins to an incredible 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, which in which included an amazing 88 game winning streak. Now, I never had the opportunity to watch John Wooden coach a game, but his book, wooden, a lifetime of observations and reflections on and off the court is a great piece of writing. And I felt like I was walking the halls and attending the practices, and game games on the side of one of the greatest coaches of all time. And one of my favorite ideas from his book is this one. 

Quote, when I was teaching basketball, I urge my players to try their hardest to improve on that very day. To make that practice a masterpiece. Too often we get distracted by what is outside of our control. You can't do anything about yesterday, the door to the past has been shut in the key thrown away. You can do nothing about tomorrow, it is yet to come. However, tomorrow is in large part determined by what YouTube today. So make today a masterpiece. You have control over that. This role is even more important in life than in basketball. You have to apply yourself each day to becoming a little better. By applying yourself to the task of becoming a little better each and every day over a period of time, you will become a lot better. Only then will you be able to approach being the best you can be. It begins by trying to make each day count and knowing you can never make up for that last day. Unquote. 

Wow. Is there tons and tons of wisdom in that idea, make today a masterpiece. That's going to become a core fundamental in the Mojo Academy. In fact, that is that that's some John Wooden wisdom right there. Make today a masterpiece. Now naturally, this great idea flows to another great basketball coach who would have the same thoughts regarding getting better each and every day. Duke's basketball coach Mike chef ski is one of the great basketball coaches of all time. And ironically, just one week ago, his Duke Blue Devils came in to Columbus, Ohio to play the Ohio State Buckeyes. And even though Duke had just arrived, brimming with confidence after knocking off the national champions, national champions from last year Gonzaga, the Blue Devil struggled in that game, and most especially down the stretch. And the funny thing is coaches chef ski Coach K, as he is referred to Coach's team didn't play very well. 

And the Blue Devils ended up losing the game, to the Buckeyes. And for the buckeyes, it was certainly a big victory. After all, they just knocked off the number one team in the country at the time. But for Coach K as I watched him, it seemed to me that he was looking at the long perspective. Even though the short term his team had just lost he was he was consoling with his coaches on the bench. It seemed like he was looking at the long term perspective. After all, it was just another learning and growing moment for his young team. Now to put this loss in perspective for Coach K, he's been on the sidelines and Durham and throughout the college collegiate level for the last 42 seasons. So this is not a extremely tragic loss for him, he will be able to teach his kids and they will be able to grow from it. 

Now regarding coaches chef ski, and that statement I just made that he's perhaps one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, his record of accomplishments is solid. In fact, it's mind blowing.  He has led Duke to five national championships. An incredible 12 Final Four appearances. It's almost unheard of in the modern game. He is the winningest coach of all time in the history of the game with the most wins, he has won three gold medals. And that that should be noticed because the level of international play has greatly increased, as well as the competition has gotten much much tougher in the international game. He has dominated his own conference with 15 ACC tournament championships and 12 ACC regular season titles. So, again, the similarity between coach wooden's and Coach K's philosophy isn't all that surprising, both considered to be one of the greatest coaches of all time, both considered to be great teachers and mentors. And in Coach K's book leading with the heart written in 2000, coaches, Chef ski details, this pursuit and teaching of excellence. 

Quote, my personal motivation as a coach has always been the pursuit of excellence. I'd rather create a masterpiece every time out, then have peaks and valleys where I'm superb one day and mediocre the next. In addition, I do not let someone define excellence for me. I feel good about what I'm doing. Just because I'm doing it. My hunger is not for success. It is for excellence. Because when you attain excellence, success just naturally follows. So there's just great words of wisdom there as well. Certainly, we shouldn't Chase success. 

And as Coach K reminds us we should live for excellence. And in the words of us here at the Mojo Academy, and most especially on this theory to action podcast. Let us do that let us live a flourishing life by practicing the virtues by practicing excellence. So in today's Mojo minute, let us put into practice both of those basketball coaches nuggets of wisdom by making every day count and working to make every day a masterpiece. And number two, not by living for success, but rather living for excellence in the pursuit of virtue. And in doing so, I think both coaches would be proud to call us his point guard in life.


Thank you for joining us. We hope you enjoyed this theory to action podcast. Be sure to check out our show page at T Mojo academy.com where we have everything we discussed in this podcast as well as other great resources. Until next time, keep getting your mojo on