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Words Of Wisdom For Neuheisel & Rest Of Bruin Nation

As Rick Neuheisel, Norm Chow and DeWayne Walker get ready for a brand new era in UCLA football are some helpful tips for success:

Be enthusiastic about your work. Enthusiasm is one of the cornerstones of Wooden's "Pyramid of Success." "Without enthusiasm, you cannot work up to your fullest ability and potential; you're just going through the motions. And just going through the motions won't bring you to the level of competitive greatness we seek, whether in basketball, business or life."

Don't get angry when people test you. "People are going to test you. But don't back down from them on the things in which you believe, because once they take advantage of you and get away with it, they'll keep it up."

A famous incident involving the coach being tested involved All-American center Bill Walton, who defiantly showed up to Picture Day on the eve of the season's first practice with a full beard, which Wooden forbade his players to have. Walton told Wooden that he didn't have the right to tell him how to wear his hair. Wooden agreed that he didn't have the right to tell him how to wear his hair, but he did, however, have the right to decide who would play on the team. "We'll miss you," he told Walton, who shaved his beard before practice the next day.

To get cooperation, you must give cooperation. "The sharing of ideas, information, creativity, responsibilities and tasks is a priority of good leadership. The only thing that is not shared is blame. A strong leader accepts blame and gives the credit (when deserved) to others."

Don't be afraid to fail. "If you are afraid to fail, you will never do the things you are capable of doing. If you have thoroughly prepared and are ready to give it all you've got, there is no shame if you fail-nothing to fear in failure. But fear of failure is what often prevents one from taking action."

Be confident but not arrogant. "Arrogance, or elitism, is the feeling of superiority that fosters the assumption that past success will be repeated without the same hard effort that brought it about in the first place. Thus, I have never gone into a game assuming victory. All opponents have been respected, none feared. I taught those under my supervision to do the same. This reflects confidence, not arrogance. Arrogance will bring you down by your own hands."

Pay attention to the little things. As a coach, Wooden was known for teaching his players how to put on their socks and shoes on the first day of practice. The lesson: Every detail matters.

Be loyal to yourself and to your organization. "A leader who has loyalty is the leader whose team I wish to be a part of. And so do others. Most people, the overwhelming majority of us, wish to be in an organization whose leadership cares about them, provides fairness and respect, dignity and consideration…. [Be loyal] and you will subsequently lead an organization that will not waffle in the wind when things get tough."

Remember that success is not defined by victories. Wooden's definition of success: "peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable."

Well ... those tips came from the greatest teacher ever to coach in college athletics.

GO BRUINS.

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Great Advise

I have read most of coach wooden’s books and my conclusion is that in today’s age, it would be wonderful to have a class on coach Wooden’s philosophies. Im not sure with what grade level to have the class offered, but it would be worth the effort to get kids to learn the value of team, and not self, along with all the other countless lessons. With all the experience and knowledge in his teachings, I would love to see a cousre in Wooden’s teachings in school’s.

DBalter

by westwood12003 on Jul 27, 2008 4:25 PM PDT   0 recs

serious

everytime i read these woodenisms, i always have an epiphany, and instantly see how the application of these philosophies could improve my life. gotta love him.

by deepdish on Jul 27, 2008 8:33 PM PDT   0 recs

God, I love Coach

to continue the thread began above: I submit the class should be taught as a freshman requirement similar to English Comp 101. It would be listed as a philosophy course much like one might study the philosophy of Kierkegaard, Sartre, or Nietzsche. And, it would help if UCLA began planning for it now so that Coach could help structure the curriculum.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Jul 27, 2008 8:45 PM PDT   0 recs

Words to Live By

And this is the reason I have chosen the Pyramid of Success as my profile image.

by bruin8uclap on Jul 27, 2008 11:42 PM PDT   0 recs

8 Clap

I have had a few drink’s and it’s time for an 8 clap….. EVERY MAN WOMEN AND CHILD!! READY!!!! ONE…. TWO ….THREE… FOUR…. FIVE …..SIX …..SEVEN….... EIGHT….. U…....C….....L….......A.. U.C.L.A FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

DBalter

by westwood12003 on Jul 28, 2008 12:23 AM PDT   0 recs

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