Former UCLA Coach John Wooden Talks About Success
"To me, success isn't outscoring someone. It's the peace of mind that comes from self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best.
That's something each individual must determine for himself.
You can fool others, but you can't fool yourself.
Many people are surprised to learn that in twenty-seven years at UCLA, I never once talked about winning.
You can fool others, but you can't fool yourself.
Many people are surprised to learn that in twenty-seven years at UCLA, I never once talked about winning.
Instead I would tell my players before games, 'When it's over, I want your head up. And there's only one way your head can be up, that's for you to know, not me, that you gave the best effort of which you're capable.
If you do that, then the score doesn't really matter, although I have a feeling that if you do that, the score will be to your liking.'
I honestly, deeply believe that in not stressing winning as such, we won more than we would have if I'd stressed outscoring opponents."
- John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach and winner of ten NCAA championships, a record that still stands
If you do that, then the score doesn't really matter, although I have a feeling that if you do that, the score will be to your liking.'
I honestly, deeply believe that in not stressing winning as such, we won more than we would have if I'd stressed outscoring opponents."
- John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach and winner of ten NCAA championships, a record that still stands