Ted Chan

I went running this morning, and did some ab workouts. Yeah, so far so good for the physical side of things.

I wrote in my journal and reflected a bit as well. And I’m writing in my blog!

I started reading Wooden on Leadership by John Wooden and Steve Jamison. I hadn’t really known too much about John Wooden before I started reading this book. The only thing that I knew was that he was a good coach. Actually, I didn’t really even know what sport he had coached, but had kept hearing his name pop up regarding leadership and coaching.

It’s been a wonderful book so far. Wooden talks about success and defines it as the self satisfaction in knowing that you gave everything to become the very best that you are capable of becoming. And the only person who can tell you if you were successful is yourself.

His focus as a coach and teacher wasn’t to win the games, score the most points, but to build up the person and the team to be the best that they could be. And in so doing work on the fundamentals, and the results or side benefit would actually be winning games and doing well.

This goes against many of the common business and leadership concepts and strategies. It was also instructive that Wooden coached UCLA to win 10 NCAA national championships in 12 years, including 88 straight games and four perfect seasons. So, this is someone who had produced astounding results. But it was the basics and fundamentals that he focused on, and challenged himself and his players to do their best during each practice.

Are you making every effort to become the best that you are capable of?

Let me know.

To Your Success,

Ted Chan