Wisdom, Weather, and John Wooden
Greetings Golfers,
Looks like it’s almost Spring. Every year I just hope for C+ weather. April has been a D-. But I’m still optimistic.
So I read inspiring quotes to keep me optimistic and somewhat sane. I’m not a big fan of those inane saying on pillows … I think they’re meaningless … but if they keep some people going … why not?
However, there is good stuff out there … really good stuff.
Here are 21 quotes from John Wooden - the legendary basketball coach at UCLA. His record makes no sense. He won 88 games in a row. And 10 NCAA championships in a 12 year span. Of course he had great players. And he knew basketball. But, he really knew life. Here goes:
1.) If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.
2.) A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.
3.) The best competition I have is against myself to become better.
4.) We can have no progress without change, whether it be basketball or anything else.
5.) Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
6.) Success is peace of mind in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.
7.) If you are afraid to fail, you will never do the things you are capable of doing.
8.) Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
9.) Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.
10.) Nothing will work unless you do.
11.) The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.
12.) Don’t mistake activity with achievement.
13.) Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.
14.) If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?
15.) Success is never final; failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.
16.) It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.
17.) You are not a failure until you start blaming others for your mistakes.
18.) Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.
19.) Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
20.) You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.
21.) Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.
How good were those? You can see why his players loved and respected him. His talk was amazing. And he walked the talk.
I hope I keep rereading his quotes for help to deal with my golf game, rather than for help to deal with bad weather.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com