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

Nearing the Peak: Poise and Confidence

Near the apex of the Pyramid are poise and confidence. I believe these two important blocks of the structure are the natural result of the personal qualities that we put in place below. Poise and confidence ensue from all the other blocks.

That is why the exact order of the tiers and the blocks in those tiers is so important. I don’t believe poise or confidence can come about until all the other blocks are in place.

Poise

My definition of poise is very simple: being yourself. You’re not acting. You’re not pretending or trying to be something you’re not. You are being who you are and are totally comfortable with that. Therefore, you’ll function near your own level of competence.

You understand that the goal ...