Season’s Greetings, part 2 — Throwback post on the basketball season eve

I think it’s ironic that John Wooden was born on this day, 101 years ago.  As we all get prepared for the season, we’re reminded of a man that defined a game, dominated college basketball for years, and had a profound impact on millions of people (and still continues to).  I shared this excerpt a couple years ago and am reposting it on the eve of the basketball season for 2 reasons:  1) everyone needs inspiration coming into a season.  It’s a grind, and to persist is key. 2) all of us in our careers, especially in coaching, need to read this to gain encouragement in our own paths from the iconic John Wooden, on his birthday.

From John Wooden’s book, “WOODEN: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and off the Court”:

Persistence Is Stronger than Failure

Abraham Lincoln is acknowledged as one of America’s greatest presidents.  Here is a brief summary of his career:

1831 – Failed in business

1832 – Defeated for legislature

1833 – Failed in business again

1834 – Elected to legislature

1835 – Sweetheart died

1836 – Had nervous breakdown

1838 – Defeated for speaker

1840 – Defeated for elector

1843 – Defeated for congressional nomination

1846 – Elected to Congress

1848 – Defeated for Congress

1855 – Defeated for Senate

1856 – Defeated for Vice President

1859 – Defeated for Senate

1860 – Elected President of the United States

Few people have suffered more personal, professional, and political adversity than Abraham Lincoln.  He persisted in the face of failure and emerged victorious.

Another president, Calvin Coolidge, described it very well:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.  Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not;  the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

The model Mr. Lincoln gave us with his persistence is one we can remember in the face of our own setbacks.  And what is most wondrous of all is that persistence is a quality that we ourselves control.  You, and only you, can decide whether you will stay the course.