As a leader, you must be filled with energy and eagerness, joy and love for what you do. If you lack enthusiasm for your job, you cannot perform to the best of your ability. Industriousness is unattainable without Enthusiasm.
John WoodenAll that matters is the pressure you put on yourself. External pressures cause people to choke. While you can't control what happens to you, you can control how you react.
John WoodenIf there's anything you could point out where I was a little different, it was the fact that I never mentioned winning.
John WoodenConfidence - Poise and confidence are not possible unless you have prepared correctly. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Poise and confidence are a natural result of proper preparation.
John WoodenIt is difficult for young players to learn - because of the great emphasis on records - but, ideally, the joy and frustration of sport should come from the performance itself, not the score. While he is playing, the worst thing a player can think about in terms of concentration - and therefore of success - is losing. The next worst is winning.
John Wooden