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

The Realistic Optimist

I believe one of my strengths is my ability to keep negative thoughts out. I am an optimist. I believe this results from the fact that I set realistic goals—ones that are difficult to achieve, but within reach. You might say I’m a realistic optimist.

Goals should be difficult to achieve because those achieved with little effort are seldom appreciated, give little personal satisfaction, and are often not very worthwhile.

However, if you set goals that are so idealistic there’s no possibility of reaching them, you will eventually become discouraged and quit. They become counterproductive. Be a realistic optimist.