John Wooden Quotes

303 John Wooden Quotes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8



You can work without Industriousness, but there is no Industriousness without work.
John Wooden

Only you truly know if you’re rising to a level beyond plain “hard work.”
John Wooden

“The heights . . .” attained by Tiger Woods, Cal Ripken, and Jack Nicklaus came from a will to win, coupled with their great will to work.
John Wooden

It is not what you achieve that matters, but what you could have achieved. Industriousness is a key— irreplaceable—factor in becoming the best you can be.
John Wooden

Work without ENTHUSIASM is just work. “Just work” is not enough.
John Wooden

Your energy and enjoyment, drive, and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others.
John Wooden

As a leader, you must be filled with energy and eagerness, joy and love for what you do. If you lack enthusiasm for your job, you cannot perform to the best of your ability. Industriousness is unattainable without Enthusiasm.
John Wooden

Industriousness is unattainable without Enthusiasm. You must love what you do. If not, it is impossible to bring out your best.
John Wooden

In my opinion, these two qualities, Industriousness and Enthusiasm, are always present in those who scale the heights—who achieve success as I define it.
John Wooden

Hard work is transformed into Industriousness when joined with Enthusiasm.
John Wooden



If your heart is not in your job, you cannot work to your full potential.
John Wooden

A leader lacking Enthusiasm will infect the group with the same malady.
John Wooden

Enthusiasm is the ignition switch. Turn it on and things start happening.
John Wooden

If you lack Enthusiasm for your job, get out or at least recognize that you will never perform at your highest level.
John Wooden

The time to make friends is before you need them.
John Wooden

To make a friend, you must be a friend.
John Wooden

Be true to yourself. Be true to those you lead. Loyalty creates trust.
John Wooden

Give loyalty and loyalty will be returned in abundance.
John Wooden

First, do not betray yourself. Second, do not betray those you lead.
John Wooden

Have the utmost concern for what’s right rather than who’s right.
John Wooden



Make sure the people you lead feel they’re working with you, not for you.
John Wooden

Have the utmost concern for what’s right rather than who’s right.
John Wooden

Much can be accomplished by teamwork when no one is concerned about who gets credit.
John Wooden

If you do your best, never lose your temper, and never be out-fought or out-hustled, you’ll have nothing to worry about.
John Wooden

Control of your organization begins with control of yourself. Be disciplined.
John Wooden

Self-Control in little things becomes Self-Control in big things.
John Wooden

Nothing is static. Expect each day to bring new threat and opportunity.
John Wooden

Never be a spectator. Be in the fight at all times.
John Wooden

Constantly be aware and observing. Always seek to improve yourself and the team.
John Wooden

Don’t just act like you’re listening. Really listen. Good leaders are good listeners.
John Wooden



Alertness must exist in you and be taught to those under your supervision.
John Wooden

Have the courage to make decisions and the willingness to risk failure.
John Wooden

The team that makes the most mistakes wins.
John Wooden

Assume failure. Don’t just stand around waiting to see if the ball goes in. Assume it won’t. Get ready to respond quickly and correctly.
John Wooden

A leader must have Initiative—the courage to make decisions and the willingness to risk failure.
John Wooden

It’s not who starts the game, but who finishes it.
John Wooden

Stay the course. When thwarted, try again—harder, smarter. Persevere relentlessly.
John Wooden

Never be satisfied. Work constantly to improve. Perfection is a goal that can never be reached, but it must be the objective. The uphill climb is slow, but the downhill road is fast.
John Wooden

Things achieved without effort are seldom worthwhile or long-lasting.
John Wooden

What you do away from practice can tear down all we accomplished during practice.
John Wooden



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


Return from John Wooden Quotes to Quoteswise.com