The great coach and philosopher John Wooden had a diagram of his "pyramid of success." It contains 25 items, but I prefer 10 for my less powerful memory. Here they are:
Foundation (4 items):
- Industriousness: Careful planning followed by hard work.
- Enthusiasm: Truly enjoy what you are doing. It rubs off.
- Team Spirit: A genuine consideration for others. An eagerness to sacrifice personal interests of glory for the welfare of all.
- Perseverance: Resist temptations through determination and persistence.
The first two, industriousness and enthusiasm, are the cornerstones, which bear the most weight and therefore the most importance in a pyramid. The other two were confirmed by the research of management expert Jim Collins, who in his book Good to Great concluded that top leaders of some of America's most successful companies consistently had these two primary qualities.
2nd Tier (3 items):
- Self-Control: Practice self-discipline and keep emotions under control.
- Self-Improvement: Observe constantly. Stay open-minded. Be eager to improve.
- Self-Confidence: Respect without fear. Faith that success will come through any adversity.
Armed with the right attitude from the foundation, this tier focuses on improving the inner self for the good of the team.
3rd Tier (2 items):
- Condition: Mental, moral, and physical strength and endurance.
- Skill: Knowledge of and ability to properly and quickly execute the fundamentals.
This tier gets more specific. What kind of stamina, power, and peace of mind do you need to be in for your activity or general sense of well-being? What skills must be practiced toward perfection?
4th Tier:
- Competitive Greatness: Be at your best when your best is needed. Enjoy a difficult challenge.
The crown of the pyramid flows from the other blocks. Having put forth your best attitude, self-development, and specific training, you reach the peak of your abilities. The best you can be. You welcome the opportunity to employ it.
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