Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden amassed one of the most impressive resumes of any modern-day athletic coach. While coaching at UCLA Wooden accomplished the following:
- Lead UCLA to ten national championships.
- Was named National Coach of the Year, six times.
- Led UCLA to eighty-eight consecutive wins, over the course of four seasons.
During the period of time when UCLA had the most success under Coach Wooden, student-athletes from all over the country wanted to attend UCLA. These student-athletes were interested in UCLA not only for their legendary basketball program but also for their excellent academic rating. The layman would think, of course, Coach Wooden was successful! He had the “best of the best” at UCLA. True, there was great talent on the UCLA basketball teams. However, we all know what happens when there are great players without a great leader, cohesive team culture, and great attention to details. Typically, success does not follow! Details you say? Author and basketball guru Pat Williams, in his book, Coach Wooden’s Greatest Secret, The Power Of A lot Of Little Things Done Well, wrote of “little things” meaning the details of developing championship basketball teams.
One story regarding Coach Wooden’s attention to details, has been a part of basketball history for many years. Prior to going out onto the court for the first practice of the season, Coach Wooden would gather his players in the locker room. There, in front of some of the best players in the country, Coach Wooden would begin his tutorial on the proper way to put on athletic socks. This tutorial was to ensure that players did not get blisters and miss valuable practice team. At this first practice of the season, Coach Wooden would begin his season-long process of focusing on details. As Pat Williams wrote,” A lot of little things done well”.
All people struggle at times to find the best formula for success. Focusing on finding the “next big thing”, has been the war cry for many in this culture of “NOW”. Perhaps taking a page from Coach Wooden’s playbook and focusing on small details and doing those details well, might move our lives forward in a positive manner.
Would it not be more valuable to focus on all of the little things that make up the key areas all people need to navigate daily? What if we all developed our own list of details and focused on those details and doing them consistently well?
My guess is that we all might have a happier, more successful, and more fulfilled life. So now you have your homework assignment. Make your own personal list of small details that can be implemented and executed daily. Those small details will soon become habits and together can position you for success in all aspects of your life. To assist you in this starting this process, I have listed “my personal little details list” below:
- Return all phone calls and e-mails in twenty-four hours or less. Following this habit demonstrates to others your interest in them as family members, friends, or business colleagues.
- Have pride in the little details of your appearance and wearing proper, appropriate clothing for whatever event you are attending.
- Keep your car clean, especially the interior. No one wants to attempt to sit in a seat filled with fast food wrappers,papers, or empty drink bottles.
- Keep your workspace clean and tidy, with an organization system that allows for easy access to important documents quickly.
- Listen better and always try to be “present” during face-to-face conversations.
- Pay attention to a healthy diet and consistent workout routine.
- Limit distractions to keep you focused on the task at hand.
- Create a “checklist”, or “to-do list” to keep your days/weeks/months organized.
- Develop a routine and rhythm that works for you.
- Insure all key points and details are remembered, no matter how small. Write key points down on paper, a tablet, or phone. “ABNT”,” Always Be Taking Notes”
Good luck!
