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Coach Wooden’s legacy lives on because his wisdom transcends context. His Pyramid of Success applies powerfully to all seeking to live with purpose.
"Success is peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you're capable." - John Wooden
The foundation: Industriousness, friendship, loyalty, cooperation and enthusiasm. As Wooden said, “There is no substitute for work.” Luck only favors the prepared.
Building on that base, the inner rows highlight fundamental traits like self-control, alertness, initiative and intentness – being present in the moment.
The middle rows focus on condition, skill and team spirit. We must keep our mind, body and skills sharp while supporting others.
The outer rows deal with more advanced qualities like poise, confidence and competitive greatness. As we master the lower levels, we build towards peak performance.
The capstone is success, defined not by trophies but by peace of mind from doing your best. As Wooden famously said, “Winning takes care of itself if you don’t worry about it.”
As a woman over 40, this framework speaks to me.
Peace of mind is my most precious achievement and my one and only goal in life.
Peace of mind leads to a balanced nervous system and to be able to live my life with purpose and vision - a state of no FOMO.
The Foundation: Friendship, Loyalty, Enthusiasm
Part of peace of mind is having a support network of strong relationships. Choose wisely who you trust and surrounded by because their energy will directly impact you. Be intentional because friendships will either elevate you or bring you down. Surround yourself with positive people who share your values and stay loyal to those who lift you up.
Approach life with enthusiasm – a zest for learning new things and embracing new experiences. Let childlike curiosity sustain you. I dedicate 3 hours each week to nurturing my inner child with art: I do ceramics, I go to art exhibits or collage workshops.
Inner Rows: Discipline, Attention to Detail, Presence
Cultivating self-discipline and control means consistently making choices that align with your goals and taking action no matter how small towards them. The ritual of letting go of what no longer serves us so we can make space for what gives us purpose and joy allows us to focus on what matters most.
Pay close attention to details, whether in relationships, self-care, or projects. Tune in to the present moment. Be here now.
Middle Rows: Skill Building, Conditioning, Teamwork
Never stop building skills. Take classes to expand your knowledge. Master new hobbies that challenge you. Keep your mind active and engaged. This year I have a goal of 40 books, I am 30 books on my way and about 2 months to go. I have also learned deeply about Human Design and deep dived into my most purposeful life with it.
Make health a daily practice. Exercise, nutrition and rest keep your condition peak. Care for your body so you can thrive.
Uplift others and amplify strengths through teamwork. Collaborate with people who share your values, spark you and share a sense of community. We all do better together.
Outer Rows: Confidence, Poise, Living Fully
Trust in yourself. Feel confident sharing your gifts, voice and experiences. Nothing builds confidence like trial and error through action. All successful people have gone through ups and downs and learned from it to get to where they were.
So cultivate patience, balance and poise. By stepping through any fear and resistance, you become the person who matches the frequency of what you are calling in. Fear is there with a precise and predictable job to transform you into the person you are meant to be — you just need to surrender and move through it patiently.
Your purpose is to live fully – not just exist. Make the most of the time you have - we only have 84 summers! Leave your unique mark on the world.
The Capstone: Success and Peace of Mind
Aim beyond mere happiness to discover deep meaning. Define success based on fulfilling relationships, growth, and joy.
Peace of mind comes from doing your best, then letting go of attachment to results. Accept what you cannot control and trust that as long as you take constructive action with time, what is meant for you will come to you.
There is a reason the concept of the pyramid persists throughout history. From the temples in Egypt and the Americas, to Maslow's hierarchy of needs to Wooden's Pyramid of Success, the pyramid’s structure requires us to make the most sacrifice upfront to lay the foundations of a successful and transcendental life. No matter what we do, the hardest part is to start, that is where we have to invest the most hard work, sweat and tears. After that, ascending to each of the next levels gets easier and easier. Ultimately, the whole will be greater than the sum of its parts.
Success and peace will crown your efforts.
I hope Coach Wooden’s Pyramid will guide and inspire you to continue laying the bricks of your pyramid of success.
I would love to work with you to help you unblock yourself from ascending up to the next level of the pyramid on your way to success. Book a 30min free consultation with me and let's start building a life that is aligned with your purpose and energy.
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