Inspiration from Greatness: John Wooden Quotes

Recently, while navigating the internet, I stumbled upon some amazing quotes that truly inspired me on many levels. As a Postgrad, especially in the 21st century, one of the things that many of us desire and lack are mentors in our lives that can challenge us, and guide us as we wrestle the difficulties of the real world. It’s easy to get caught up in the independence that many of us champion–this is not a bad thing, by any means. However, because we wear the badge of independence sometimes a little bit too proudly, many of us exclude voices of the older generation. It’s a great paradox–we desire for people to mentor us, but we don’t have a posture to receive the mentorship that we seek.

I know I’ve experienced that before. I love and respect my parents tremendously, and in many ways they have definitely been a positive and molding voice in my life. But having a mentor that you can relate with on a real world professional level, or that lives life with you as you struggle through the transitional stages is something that I’ve always desired.

You know, the Mr. Myagi of Karate Kid. The Phil Jackson to Kobe Bryant. The Gandalf to Frodo. Every one has seen and experienced this longing for a mentor before; the archetype of the mentor is definitely enduring.

It is with this that I introduce one of the greatest mentors to have ever lived in our generation. John Wooden. I realize that with the Bruin bias, it’s easy for me to promote from such an adamant position the greatness that is Wooden. However, from a completely objective point of view, Wooden stands for everything that sports was meant to be. He is a man of character, a man of honor, a man of great reputation. While at UCLA, he won 10 championships. He only coached there for 12 years. Considering that the college basketball championship is the most difficult championship to win because of a 64 pool single elimination tournament, this accomplishment is mind boggling.

He’s been recognized with numerous awards, and has authored many inspirational books. He’s always stood by his beliefs and convictions. As a matter of fact, Wooden in spite of all his success, never earned more than $35,000 and never asked for a raise. Being offered the job to coach the Los Angeles Lakers, Wooden could have netted at least ten times as much as he was making while coaching the Bruins. But because he loved the challenge of mentoring the younger generation, he declined the offer and kept his meager salary.

Read and appreciate the wonderful insights of a great man. Let the words speak into your life. These quotes were found on BrainyQuote.com, and have been the source of inspiration for me during the week, and I am sure, will continue to inspire me until the day I die. I want to let the older generation speak into my life, and teach me wisdom and knowledge that their lives have afforded them. I want to grow, learn, and improve myself every day. Here are 10 quotes from the man himself:

1. “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
2. “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.”
3. “It isn’t what you do, but how you do it.”
4. “It’s not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.”
5. “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”
6. “Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
7. “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”
8. “You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
9. “Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”
10. “Make every day your masterpiece.“