Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

Building on the Solid Foundation: Self-Control, Alertness, Initiative, and Intentness

No edifice is going to be better than its structural foundation, just as no individual is better than his or her mental foundation. Those five blocks—friendship, loyalty, cooperation, and the powerful cornerstones of industriousness and enthusiasm—are the strong and sturdy foundation upon which you build success.

Once this had been constructed I put in place the second tier, four blocks that build on the solid foundation: self-control, alertness, initiative, and intentness.

Self-Control

Self-control is essential for discipline and mastery of emotions, for discipline of self and discipline of those under your supervision.

You cannot function physically or mentally ...