I just finished reading "A Game Plan for Life" by John Wooden and Don Yaeger and it was an outstanding read. I was anxious to read the book because I am a huge fan on Don's and his ability to write. I also know there has been quite a few books written on and by Coach Wooden recently so obviously Don's challenge was to do something different -- and he nailed it.He took the approach of who were the mentors that influence his life and then found those who Coach Wooden had mentored. It's a unique and fascinating look into how Coach Wooden's philosophy was developed as well as to the amazing manner in which he has given this gift back to so many of us.
Coach Wooden on mentoring:
"Many people look at mentoring as some kind of assignment, something you you sign up to do at a local school. And while that type of mentoring is important, that is only one form of it. Mentoring can be any action that inspires another; every time we watching someone and make a mental note about that individual's character or conduct, we're being mentored."
"Mentors are all around us; they are everywhere we look. Anywhere there is a sharing of knowledge or a teaching of experience, there is a mentor. Anywhere there is an individual with life lessons to impart to an audience -- more often than not, just an audience of one -- there is a mentor."
"I think if you truly understand the meaning of mentoring, you understand it is as important as parenting; in fact, it is just like parenting. As my father often said, "There is nothing you know that you haven't learned from someone else." Everything in the world has been passed down. Every piece of knowledge is something that has been shared by someone else. If you understand it as I do, mentoring becomes your true legacy. It is the the greatest inheritance you can give to others. It is why you get up every day -- to each and be taught."
"The greatest learning occurs when you've selected proper mentors."
