Coach Wooden said, “It takes 10 hands to score a basket.”
Who has given you a helping hand on your journey to success? How have you thanked them?
“Coach Wooden insisted that his players always acknowledge the help and support they received from other members of the team. For example, a player who scored a basket after receiving a pass from a teammate was expected to acknowledge the assist as he headed back up the court to play defense – usually by pointing, smiling, winking, or nodding at the man who had helped create the scoring opportunity.” (From Pat Williams book “How to Be Like Coach Wooden”)
Some players asked, “But Coach, what if he [the teammate who gave the assist] isn’t looking?”
“Believe me,” Wooden replied, “he’ll be looking!”
Give thanks to others for helping you. Even a nod or a smile is a good start.
Coach Wooden “understood that EVERYONE needs acceptance and approval.”
Do it now moto:
As a young child I learned the value of hard work from my parents, Robert J Frank, the first college graduate of his family who then went on to graduate medical school to become a doctor and surgeon. Dad first worked as a waiter at a restaurant near the University of Virginia to pay for college. Later he was an assistant to his Professor of Physics teaching classes at the university. My momma, Romayne Leader Frank, worked as a lifeguard and model to put her through college at the University of Michigan. After marrying Dad, she finished her education at the University of Virginia earning a teacher’s degree. Latter Momma worked to pay for Dad’s residency and internship in medicine at Sears and Roebucks as a sales person and on the side wrote political speeches for politicians at $50 a speech. A married woman in those days was not allowed to teach school.
As I was growing up my Dad’s patients were fisherman and farmers who paid for Dad’s services with fish and vegetables. Money was hard to come by. We always had a garden in the back yard growing vegetables and learned to till the soil with rakes, plant seeds, pull weeds, and pick the crops for meals. As a child every week, my parents gave me a “list of chores” to do, including mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, and taking care of my younger siblings. My parents said as a member of this family you will do these chores “now”! There were no excuses. The work had to be done immediately!
What did I learn from the discipline of doing these chores, “their do it now” principle?
Whether it was washing dishes, mowing the lawn, doing a homework assignment that was due in a week- my parents’ moto was “Do it now!” Do not wait! You will be busy later.
These chores gave me the discipline for my future. When I went to college and was given an assignment due a few days after, I would do the assignment immediately! Later when something needed immediate attention, like a door knob would be falling off, I would immediately repair it! Whatever needed to be done I would do it “immediately”, remembering my parents’ moto, “Do it now!” These chores taught me to be responsible, accountable, respectful to other, and appreciative of any kindness given.
How did I thank my parents for teaching me to be disciplined and responsible?
By sharing their life lessons with others, by writing articles, and radio shows sharing their life lessons with others.
Teaching the Discipline of Hard Work:
Meredith Lynn MacRae, actress, credits her parents’ singer/actor, Gordon MacRae and actress, Sheila MacRae “with instilling a proper work ethic in her and for keeping her feet on the ground.”
She said, “We lived in a modest home in the San Fernando Valley instead of the fashionable Beverly Hills, which the family could have afforded. Mom and Dad didn’t want us to feel superior to the other kids. I had to earn the things I wanted, all the way from dolls to party gowns, by doing chores around the house and taking care of my younger sister and brothers. Lots of kids in my circle automatically got a car when they were 16. Not me. Dad said he would get me a car when I got straight A’s two years in a row in school. I slaved away and finally made it. I got the car with the warning that if I didn’t continue with straight A’s, it would be taken away.”
Doing chores, working for the things you want, brings discipline to your life and teaches you responsibility and accountability:
The chores Meredith Lynn MacRae’s parents gave her to do, instilled “a proper work ethic” for her future. These are the most valuable lessons a parent can give you.
Experts have said, “If she or he had not been spoiled to death, he or she might have turned out differently!”
Chores taught Meredith Lynn MacRae and me to be willing to work hard to make our futures a certain tee.
Be grateful for your blessings and share them with others:
Remember to be a success and reach your goal it takes many teachers, coaches, friends, parents, and mentors to help you on your journey through life. No one does it alone.
What are 3 things you can do to thank your teachers, parents, coaches, mentors, and friends for helping you to succeed on your journey?
1) Send them a note, call them, or email them a note thanking them for helping you. (Start a note book, begin today, and write in it the names of your teachers, mentors, coaches, parents, and friends who have made a difference in your life and do something nice for them.)
How have I shown my appreciation? I have written many articles and Radio Shows paying tribute to my mentors for the gifts they have taught me. This way their good deeds live on and are shared with others!
2) Every week help someone else by acts of kindness.
3) How do you feel when you help others achieve their goal? Do you smile and feel happier in side?
Remember that if we help others we will be helping ourselves at the same time to grow and improve.
Be grateful for your blessings and thank your teachers, mentors, friends, and coaches who have helped you on your journey.
How will you show gratitude for the gifts’ others have given you?
Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner, teacher, John Maxwell Team Member, concert artist, and parent. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Business". Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. Her latest book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget" is available everywhere books are sold.
If you need a speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com