Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.

Meaning of the quote

Success is feeling good about yourself because you worked hard to be the best person you can be. When you do your absolute best, you'll feel proud and at peace, no matter the outcome. It's not about being the absolute best, but about being the best version of yourself that you can be.

About John Wooden

John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, led the UCLA Bruins to an incredible 10 NCAA championships in just 12 years. As a player, he was the first to be named an All-American three times and his Purdue team was recognized as the pre-NCAA national champion. Wooden’s inspiring messages and revolutionary coaching methods have left a lasting legacy in sports, business, and personal success.

More about the author

More quotes from John Wooden

There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

I’d rather have a lot of talent and a little experience than a lot of experience and a little talent.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

It isn’t what you do, but how you do it.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Be prepared and be honest.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Ability is a poor man’s wealth.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Never mistake activity for achievement.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

It’s not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

What you are as a person is far more important that what you are as a basketball player.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)

Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910-2010)