As a business coach, my heroes have always been the small business owners I have served during the last decade and a half.  These are the folks who put their passions, energy, and futures on the line.  They were bold enough to take risks to chart their own course in order to serve others and make a difference.  At some point, all of these entrepreneurs got overworked, overwhelmed and lost along the way and needed a business coaching process to help them get back on track.  As such, my life's work has be unbelievably fulfilling.  Included in my list of heroes are all the business coaches who decided to join The Growth Coach, a North American business coaching franchise system, to improve the communities they live in by helping the owners in those communities achieve greater success and balance. 

But I have another hero I would like to share with my business coaching blog readers.  His name is John Wooden, the former basketball coach at UCLA, now in his late 90's.  He was a simple Indiana farm boy who always gave his personal best and demanded that of his players and students.  He has a wonderful success philosophy that has shaped my life and business and I am excited to share it with you now.

His basketball teams won an unbelievable ten National Championships (unmatched to this day) in twelve years, seven of them in a row.  More than anything, he prided himself on being a teacher.  He even developed a complete success system called the Pyramid of Success to teach his players so they would have a lifetime of success.  I was recently inspired to re-read one of my favorite books,"My Personal Best", by John Wooden and Steve Jamison.  I highly recommend the book to all owners, parents, coaches, leaders, and managers.  The lessons are simple but powerful. 

For example, John's father would always tell him, "Johnny, don't try to be better than somebody else, but never cease trying to be the best you can be.  You have control over that. The other you don't." That is great wisdom to remain humble and focus on improving yourself instead of comparing yourself to others.  Focus on being the best you can be.  As an owner, how can you apply this wisdom to yourself, to your employees, and to your company?

John Wooden always asked his players to try their hardest, make the effort, do their best.  His philosophy was that if you give your personal best, every ounce of your effort, that no matter the score, you can feel proud.  While he was one of the most successful coaches of all time (track record of national titles, winning percentages, winning streaks, number of perfect seasons, etc.), he NEVER talked about winning or beating an opponent.  He simply demanded that his team play to their full potential, smart and hard.  How much time do you waste worrying about your competition instead of focusing on becoming the best company you can become? 

For Wooden, the final score was merely a by-product of something much more important ... the level of effort.  I love that philosophy.  No matter the score, you can hold your head up high when you put forth your absolute best effort.  He believed a person should only feel shame if they did not give their personal best.  He said, if you give your very best effort (during preparation and game performance), "The score cannot make you a loser when you do that; it cannot make you a winner if you do less."  What a great philosophy to share with your employees and especially your salespeople.  As well, are you giving your personal best as an owner?  As a spouse?  A parent?  A friend? 

Recently, I have seen my kids give their very best efforts to their academic and athletic endeavors.  I could not be any more proud of them when they do that.  They have learned over time and with coaching and parenting that giving their personal best, reaching their potential, is the true measure of success.  That is their goal for any endeavor.  And that is what my wife and I focus on.  You see, we care far less about their output (grades, scores, wins, losses, etc.) but care a great deal about their level of input...the work ethic, the effort, the discipline, the concentration, and the attitude.  I wish more athletic coaches shared Wooden's wonderful perspective.

Case in point.  My 13-year old daughter in seventh grade is not the most athletic kid in the world.  However, she makes the very most of her God-given talents and potential whenever she walks onto the volleyball court.  She practices a great deal and always gives her personal best...teammates, coaches and parents even take notice.  In fact, because of her strong work ethic, dedication to improving, positive attitude and playing to her utmost potential, she was voted by her teammates as the MVP (Most Valuable Player) for the first half of the season.  How cool is that?

Wooden stated, "Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." Again, are you giving your personal best as an owner? Spouse?  Parent?  Friend?  I once heard someone describe hell as coming face to face with the man or woman you could have been.  Ouch!!!  Let us all strive to reach our God-given potential.  Let us all give our personal best so we have no regrets.   

Daniel M. Murphy
The Growth Coach
President, Founder & Business Coach
Business Coaching Franchise System