One lesson in particular was too good not to share... enjoy!
Personal Glory Is Secondary
The recognition I received at UCLA was fine, but mainly I was happy for the teams and the youngsters on those teams. The recognition I received was not all that important. Recognition appeals to the ego, but it is a secondary consideration and is often counterproductive.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoy a little attention as much as the next person, but I recall a time when there was a very little.
When I was discharged from the service in January of 1946, I resumed a position in teaching English in South Bend, Indiana, where I had been before enlisting in 1942.
While teaching and coaching there, I was invited to be the featured keynote speaker at a ceremony in neighboring Elkhart, Indiana, to honor those deserving special recognition for that particular school year academically, in sports, and otherwise.
Needless to say, I was greatly flattered that they considered me important enough to be the main speaker at this big event. I gave what I considered to be a good and inspirational speech.
In 1971, they remembered my appearance with a brief item in the retrospective section of the Elkhart Truth, the local newspaper. The item for "25 Years Ago Today" read as follows:
Elkhart school officials announced today that John R. Wooden, English teacher-coach from South BenD Central High School, will be the principal speaker at their recognition dinner, although they had hoped to get a prominent person.
So, a little recognition for one's effort is nice. It's when you start to let it affect your behavior, and especially your preparation, that you have let it go to your head.
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You can pick up a copy of Coach Wooden's book and many other great reads at Living-For-Excellence.com.
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