Theory 2 Action Podcast
Theory 2 Action Podcast
MM#388--Steps to Your Own Pyramid of Success
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Unlock the secrets to a thriving life with insights from John Wooden's Pyramid of Success! Ever wondered how the fusion of industriousness and enthusiasm could be the cornerstone for your success?
Join us on this MOJO Minute podcast where we unravel Wooden’s timeless wisdom and explore how building strong, meaningful relationships can propel you towards true achievement. With a spotlight on the "people blocks" of friendship, loyalty, and cooperation, discover how biblical examples like the friendship of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego illustrate the strength and accountability vital in our personal and professional lives.
In this episode, we emphasize the essence of character over mere reputation. Reflecting on Wooden's principles, we guide you through the process of constructing your own "pyramid of success," advocating a step-by-step approach to your personal development journey.
By surrounding yourself with friends who challenge and uplift you, not only do you create a solid foundation built on hard work and passion, but you also foster an environment ripe for growth and success. Don't miss this opportunity to enrich your life with actionable steps inspired by Wooden's philosophy and Jay Carty’s biblical insights, and embark on the path to becoming the best version of yourself. We do this with our book of the day, Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success
Key Points from this Episode:
• Exploring John Wooden's Pyramid of Success
• The importance of industriousness and enthusiasm
• Relationships as a cornerstone of success
• Insights from the biblical story of friends in adversity
• The significance of accountability in friendships
• Distinction between reputation and character
• Practical takeaways for personal growth
• Encouraging reflections on success principles
Other resources:
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Welcome to the Theory to Action podcast, where we examine the timeless treasures of wisdom from the great books in less time, to help you take action immediately and ultimately to create and lead a flourishing life. Now here's your host, david Kaiser, flourishing life.
Speaker 2:Now here's your host, david Kaiser. Hello, I am David and welcome back to another Mojo Minute. Earlier this week, we talked all about John Wooden and his pyramid of success, so today's episode is going to dive even deeper into this legendary coach's wisdom. Now, if you don't know, or you missed our last episode, what's Wrong With you? Go back and listen to it, please. If you could, we would appreciate it. And plus, it'll catch you up and make you smarter and it will help you to build a more flourishing life. Build a more flourishing life. But for now, john Wooden to catch you up was a 10-time NCAA championship basketball coach who built an infamous success period. Now that pyramid is much more than just a coaching tool. It's a life philosophy built on character, relationships and balance. Now, in this episode, we're going to break down the foundation of that pyramid and then we're going to chat about some key principles like friendship, loyalty, self-perception and character. These are the building blocks for real and lasting success. So for now, let's get into it. And if you're serious about growing into being the best version of yourself, then this episode is for you and for today's book of the day. It is Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success Building Blocks for a Better Life by John Wooden, in collaboration with Jay Carty.
Speaker 2:Go on to our first pull quote. At the base of Wooden's success pyramid are two cornerstones industriousness and enthusiasm. Milestones. Industriousness and enthusiasm. Simply put, industriousness is hard work, but it's just not working for the sake of working. It's all about intentional, focused effort towards a meaningful goal, and when you pair that with enthusiasm, which is an authentic passion for what you're doing, you've got rock-solid foundation. Now, thinking of it this way, imagine building a house, the strongest, most enduring house and homes begin with a stable foundation, don't they? If either of these cornerstones is missing, then that house or your path to success won't stand for long. Wooden often said this famous quote Success is peace of mind, knowing that you did your best. That peace of mind comes from leaning into industriousness while bringing your enthusiasm to every moment. You work hard and you find joy in the process. It's simple, yet it is transformational.
Speaker 2:Now, what makes Wooden's philosophy truly brilliant is his emphasis on relationships. Right above those cornerstones are what he termed quote the people blocks. They are friendship, loyalty and cooperation. Wooden believed success wasn't a solo endeavor. People are the ones that make us better. One of Wooden's most profound quotes on friendship reads, and I quote Friendship comes from the mutual esteem and devotion. God created us to be interdependent. We're not designed to go through life alone. We become so much more when we come alongside others and make them better too. And he was spot on. We are much stronger when we include others in our pursuits, whether it's a work, project, life goal or even tackling personal growth. But what's the foundation of friendship? What's the true connection? What's the mutual accountability there? Well, wharton reminds us that we're meant to not be or travel, and I love this book because Woodham will break down each of these building blocks and explain it in such a way that really helps you to understand it on a much deeper level. And then the collaboration with Jay Carty, where he follows up with a biblical perspective on the same future, makes this a very compelling read.
Speaker 2:Take the biblical story of Shadrach, meshach and Abnego from the Old Testament, for example. Their unshakable friendship led them to defy King Nebuchadnezzar, even under the threat of the fiery furnace, and together they came out untouched a literal example of strength and unity. In fact, let's go to the book to hear from Jay on this very nugget of wisdom. The Bible contains much about friendship. Examples and lessons abound. Ruth and her mother or Ruth and her mother-in-law, that is were tight. David and Jonathan were as close as two people can get. Job's friends came to console him when he lost everything, and the Bible lists nearly 90 people who were connected to the Apostle Paul, many of whom he called dear friends.
Speaker 2:In Daniel we read about three Jewish men who were friends Shadrach, mesach and Abednego. We should just call them my shack, your shack and a bungalow. They were so close that they took the heat and walked together in obedience. They even faced death together. They had a friendship that included accountability. While there were many aspects to being held accountable as friends, we can see in these three the results of such a commitment when it is put to the test.
Speaker 2:King Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone in his kingdom to worship his gods. The dilemma for let's just say my shack, your shack and a bungalow was that they only worshipped the one true God. Therefore, they refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's gods. As a result, nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into a fiery furnace as the king watched. Nothing happened. The trio was cool as the other side of a pillow. Their hair wasn't even singed, their clothes hadn't burned and they didn't even smell of smoke. What the king saw changed his life and he too became a believer in the one true God. What would have happened if the three hadn't had each other Individually? Would they have caved in to save their respective skins? Who knows? But we do know now that collectively they were strong. They formed a triple-braided cord that could not be easily broken.
Speaker 2:That's the value of friends who are accountable to each other. Do you have friends to whom you are accountable? If not, why not? I recommend that you find two or three friends of your gender, agree to meet regularly and ask each other the hard questions about lust, greed, anger, revenge, covetousness. Hold each other accountable for answers and behavior, and then help your friends walk straight lines. Push them toward becoming all they can be, all they're capable of becoming, and all that God has created them and you to be. Allow them to do the same for you. It's what good friends ought to do.
Speaker 2:So who are your shacks, my shacks and a bungalow's? What friends keep you accountable? What friends lift you up and push you to be better? Why not take five minutes today to call or text one of them just to say thanks? Or perhaps do you have a men's group or a women's group you consistently get together with. This is ideal. Be sure to appreciate those gals or guys. Be sure to appreciate those gals or guys.
Speaker 2:Now let's dive a bit deeper into friendship, because friendship is more than just company. It's a collaboration. It's about mutual trust and building each other up. Take a moment to reflect on your friends. Are they just the people you hang out with, or are they people that will help you to grow? Wood beautifully summarized this when he said friends help to complete us, and we will be better for having them along on our journey to become all that we're capable of becoming. Just like we talked about before. A true friend offers accountability. They're there to help you walk the straight and narrow, not in a judgmental way, but out of love and care for your growth and your well-being. So again, I ask you are you the type of friend that you would want to have? Are you surrounding yourself with people who lift you up higher? And if not, it's never too late to foster those strong, meaningful connections by being intentional with our friendships. We truly will then begin to live Wooden's principles Now.
Speaker 2:Creating the right mindset is a notion of reputation versus character, reputation versus character. This is the ultimate balancing act, isn't it? That's what Wooden reminds us, and I quote your reputation is what you perceived it to be. Your character is who you truly are. Now, society might put a premium on reputation, but John Wooden implored us to prioritize character over reputation. Your reputation is often how others view you. It holds value, yes, but it's fleeting and it can fluctuate with others' perceptions. Character, however, is the bedrock of who you are. It's consistent and it's ultimately what leads to a genuine peace of mind, as Fulton Sheen would remind us.
Speaker 2:Here's a practical takeaway from John Wooden. The next time you find yourself working toward a goal, ask yourself am I doing this for external validation or because it aligns with my values, my virtues and my integrity? If it's the former, pause and recalibrate. Wooden knew that authentic success starts within, not with the applause of others. So in today's Mojo Minute, here's what I hope you take away from John Wooden's success pyramid. First, that success demands a strong foundation. It's built on hard work and joy and enthusiasm. Second, that relationships do matter. Surround yourself with friends who strengthen and challenge you. And finally, always prioritize your character over your reputation. I encourage you to reflect on your own life which these principles you could begin applying today and to help you keep building a flourishing life. Be sure to keep building your pyramid of success One block, one principle and one day at a time.
Speaker 1:Thank you for joining us. We hope you enjoyed this Theory to Action podcast. Theory to Action podcast. Be sure to check out our show page at teammojoacademycom, where we have everything we discussed in this podcast, as well as other great resources. Until next time, keep getting your mojo on.